A NEW CENTURY PRODUCERS ITAMI PRODUCTIONS FILM
This is my house in Kamome Hot Springs in Izu.
I used to live here.
But since we moved to Tokyo two years ago we only use it as a summer residence.
For some time now it's the retirement home of my in-laws, who moved from Mikawa.
This is my wife's father, coming down the driveway.
He's just back from Tokyo.
He's in a good mood.
His regular routine check-up in a big hospital in Tokyo,
didn't show anything unusual.
Ham, avocados, grilled eel.
Usually a stingy husband,
his sudden bout of generosity surprised his wife.
Well, I'm glad for you.
I feel real good.
Isn't it a relief?
Anyhow, I shouldn't let myself go.
Finally I want to live to 120, and may get myself a young mistress.
Fine, do whatever you want.
A pretty, young woman, around 19 or 20.
I'd give her a monthly allowance, as a token of my gratitude.
In return we would meet, wine and dine and chat together.
I'd really like that.
What do you think?
Rubbish.
Do you want to boast about your silly adventures?
About the war, or how you once bought a prostitute in Singapore?
No girl would want to listen.
That's what you think. The girl I'd choose would.
I wouldn't choose someone like you.
All right, I told you, you can do what you want.
Ah, I feel so good.
After dinner something unexpected happened.
Hey, Kikue quick.
What is it?
Don't... know. It hurts.
Just wait a moment. I'm washing the dishes.
What happened?
What's wrong with you?
My chest, I can't breathe.
You're soaked with sweat.
Usually, if I feel bad,
I get better when I watch the woods and the sea.
But today it doesn't work.
Should I call a doctor?
No.
Maybe I get better if I rest a bit.
But the pain didn't go away.
Fortunately a psychiatrist was living next door,
who finally called the hospital.
Soon after a taxi arrived.
My father-in-law could still walk to
and get into the taxi all by himself.
But... he never came back home again.
THE FUNERAL
THE FIRST DAY
The next day it was raining.
My wife and I
were shooting a TV commercial.
Let's do a test.
- Test! - Quiet!
Test!
A test, please!
- Ready! - Ready.
We're shooting!
Quiet!
Action!
May I?
Cut!
Mrs. Amamiya!
Mrs. Chizuko Amamiya, there's a call for you.
- I'm sorry. - Not at all. Here.
I see, he just died.
Did he suffer?
I agree.
It's good it didn't last too long.
Did he say anything?
So, nothing at all.
We'll soon be through. Wait for us at the hospital.
See you. Be brave now.
My father died.
The funeral, where will it take place?
In Mikawa, I guess.
Not in Izu?
But, all his siblings and relatives are in Mikawa.
His house, too.
But mother wants it in Izu.
- The funeral? At our house? - Yes.
- She can't be serious! - But...
Never! I don't want a funeral at my house.
Why does she want it there?
Won't the relatives complain?
She says they won't.
Mother says, she doesn't want to impose herself on the relatives in Mikawa.
Okay?
I beg you.
A funeral at our house?
Accept, please.
But he's not even cold yet,
and we're discussing his funeral already.
I know you don't like it, but it can't be helped.
After all, he's your father, too, if only your father-in-law.
Grandpa?
My father?
Of course, from a social point of view.
Well... I just heard it from Mr. Sakuma.
I mean, that your father has passed away today.
It's so sudden. What can I say...
Please accept my condolences.
Hey, come here. I have to talk to you two.
- Are you mad at us? - Just sit down.
Now, listen carefully to me.
Your grandpa was ill and just died.
It's sad, but we all have to die one day. It's inevitable.
Maybe life wasn't too good to him,
but he had two very fine grandchildren.
So maybe he died happy.
First of all, we need a coffin.
Right, to carry him out of the hospital.
I don't know. It's hard to choose over the phone.
It shouldn't be too pompous, but not too simple either.
How about something a bit above average?
130,000 yen?
And the next one?
I see. We'll take the one for 130.000 yen.
We'll meet you at the hospital, right?
See you there.
Well, I'm the manager of Wabisuke Inoue and Chizuko Amamiya.
My name is Satomi Tomu.
Yes, sure. Thank you.
I bought the coffin. It's 130,000 yen.
130,000 yen...
Is that cheap or expensive?
We'll need something to eat for tonight's wake.
- How about sushi? - For how many?
Maybe twenty people.
Twenty? That many?
But what'll we do if the food runs out?
That's true, but...
He's all set.
And so we left in the rain.
It was my first funeral.
I was hoping things would go smoothly.
It's good he didn't have to suffer long.
Yes, it's good he went quickly.
It could've become difficult, if he'd been bedridden for a long time.
Well, I mean, for your mother.
I suppose.
Mother already had to endure a lot.
After the war, they had to run that brothel in Kyushu to survive.
She had to do all the work.
While he had fun, testing the merchandise.
Mum was crying all the time.
He even named me Chizuko, which was the name of his first love.
He was that kind of man.
Excuse me...
Park in there.
It's out of the rain.
Now you won't get wet.
I'm the local undertaker. My name's Ebihara.
Please accept my sympathies for your great loss.
- Thank you. - This way, please.
In the morgue, my wife's sister, her family,
and my mother-in-law, the widow, were already waiting.
- Hello sis, brother-in-law... - Hello Ayako...
Osamu, Tetsu...
Kiichi...
Mum, are you all right?
- Mum, are you all right? - Yes, I'm all right.
Dear, this is my uncle from Mikawa, the head of Amamiya Corporation.
I'm the older brother.
I think I've met you at your wedding.
Please accept my deep sympathy for our mutual loss.
Thank you.
We were seven siblings,
all gone by now.
We two were the last ones alive.
But now that Shinkichi has died too,
I'm the only one left.
Please, everyone, come and look at him.
He truly looks so peacefully. What a beautiful expression.
Absolutely.
Really. His face looks so peaceful.
As if he's sleeping.
But this ear's changing colour.
Now, how did it happen?
Well, you know...
It was about four o'clock.
I ran out of tissues.
So I asked him, "Can I go buy some?"
"All right," he said.
I told him to ring the bell, if anything happens.
When I came back with the tissues,
the doctors were crowding around his bed,
and all those big machines were wheeled in.
I was trying my best to get to him.
But his face was all Gray,
His body reared up like this, and then he didn't move anymore.
And that was it.
The nurses told me to wait outside.
Then the doctor called me.
And then...
Further, further, further...
Wabisuke, just a second.
Got any money? I want to pay the hospital bill.
How much?
I don't have the faintest idea.
I've got some 200,000 yen.
I hope that's enough.
The total is 33,560 yen.
- 33,000 and what? - 33,560 yen.
What is it, Sir?
This includes 30,000 yen for washing the corpse,
and 2,000 yen for the death certificate.
How shall we proceed? There are two possibilities.
We can take him home on a bier and encoffin him tomorrow.
Or we can encoffin him now.
So we can put him in the coffin now?
That's completely appropriate.
Many families do that.
But... poor father.
- Mum, what do you think? - Well, what do you suggest?
Let's put him in now.
That's all right with me.
And you, dear?
We should put him in now.
Putting him back in his bed would make things even harder.
It would be as if he's dying twice.
Okay, let's do it now.
- Chizuko. - Yes?
- I'm not sure. - What?
If you put him in the coffin now,
how will it be transported?
In a van.
A van, I see.
Then at home you take him out again and lay him out in his bed?
No!
He'll be laid out in the coffin in front of the altar.
Isn't that so, Mr. Ibihara? Yes, he'll remain in the coffin.
- You don't put him in his bed? - That's right.
You mean,
you only take him out and put him in his bed,
when the priest arrives? Right?
No, not at all.
He'll stay in the coffin.
Didn't you say, you'd put him in his bed?
This would only be the case, if we take him home on a bier.
Then we'd laid him out in his bed at home.
What about the coffin?
In this case we'd deliver the coffin tomorrow and lay him in at home.
Wabisuke, we should think carefully about the best way to proceed.
You know, Mother has just got over the first shock.
Putting him back in his bed would make it hard for her again.
- Besides... - But... - ...it's pouring outside.
We don't want him to get wet.
Therefore, let's just put him in now.
- Mother, do you agree? - It's okay with me.
- So, let's do it. - Very well.
We don't do it like this back home in Mikawa.
So, please...
We're now about to lay the diseased to rest in his coffin together.
His wife and the eldest daughter as the next-of-kin should put on the tabi,
While his brother and his younger daughter should put on the Zori.
Everyone else, please assist as best as possible.
Now, the relatives will lay the deceased into the coffin.
Please, everyone lend a hand.
Oh, he's still warm.
Oh, yes, he is!
- But that's impossible. - Just feel it!
It's only the shroud that feels warm.
Now, the dry ice.
Okay, the dry ice.
In this way you can watch his face. It's easy to open.
So everybody who wants to say goodbye can see him anytime.
Let's go.
We're very sorry that we couldn't do more for him.
Please take good care of yourself.
Watch your step!
Wait! Shit! I jammed my hand.
Lift the bottom.
Okay, go on. Easy now.
Don't let it go!
Wait! Wait! Where's his head?
- Here it is. - Then he's upside down.
Shit, he's slipping.
Go back! We'll turn around.
Wait!
We're soaked.
Where do you want him?
Well, up in front. There, I guess.
- Wabisuke. - Yes?
How is it?
Is this the right direction?
- What direction? - His head must point to the North.
To the North?
It's custom. His head must point to the North.
Well, this is the West, so...
Then North is...
It's correct. This direction is North.
Then West is...
This way.
North is...
That way.
So everything's fine. We've done well!
Akiko, Setsuko. Good evening.
Here's kitty.
The cat's here, too?
This might take awhile.
It was really unexpected. Our sincere condolences.
Such a terrible misery.
We're so sorry.
We came to help you. Maybe in the kitchen.
Thank you.
Must've been awful.
And so sudden, too.
He wasn't that old.
I was so shocked.
I can't believe he died. He seemed so healthy.
I still see him in his gateball outfit. He was so good at it.
Hello! Here's the sushi!
Here you are!
Oh, matching raincoats. How cute.
It was so sudden. Our condolences.
We'd like to help you. Right, dear?
Here's the picture.
Where did you get this?
Well, I just had it.
It's a perfect funeral picture.
A black crape and it's absolutely perfect.
Papa had it taken this spring.
Suddenly, it occurred to him that there is no photo of him wearing his medals.
So he went to Mikawa got his suit and medals and went to the photographer's.
He looks quizzical somehow.
He looked like that when he was happy.
He thought of everything, didn't he?
He always did.
His death at the hospital costs us only 33,560 yen.
33,560 yen, including the death certificate.
That's the way to go.
Wabisuke, let's check the schedule again.
Tomorrow is the wake, and the next day the cremation.
There's no Shingon temple nearby,
so we called a Jodo priest.
- There's none? - No, sadly not.
And what about this Jodo priest?
He's very well-respected,
and also very adept.
But what about his posthumous name?
We'll have to get it from his temple later.
Therefore the funeral service
will be held under his own name, Shinkichi Amamiya.
Is that correct?
Yes, it's apt.
At what time does the priest arrive?
Let's see... How about 5 o'clock?
5 o'clock? All right.
What should we do when the priest arrives?
We don't know anything about it.
First, serve him some tea.
Serve tea...
Just a minute, I'll get my wife.
Hey, Chizuko.
What is it?
We're just talking about the priest.
First, he gets tea.
Tea?
Yes, first tea.
And then some sweets.
Any sort will do.
He won't eat them immediately, but take them home.
How about the donation?
Mr. Ibihara, can you tell us how much we should give him?
Huh?
The donation, how much?
The donation?
Let's see...
Since it's a voluntary donation,
there's no fixed rate.
But can't you tell us the average amount.
Well, it's only a token of gratitude.
100,000 or 200,000 yen, perhaps.
I'm sorry, Mr. Ibihara, but 200,000 is twice as much as 100,000.
100,000 or 200,000?
Mr. Ibihara, you should really tell us more precisely.
100,000 or 200,000, both is possible.
For a well-known family like yours, 200.000 yen would be appropriate.
200,000 then, all right.
Well, I'll leave now. See you tomorrow.
I'm pretty exhausted.
- I guess I turn in. - Good night.
- I'll stay here with mother. - Yes.
I have to keep the incense burning anyway.
- A drink? - A slug of saké...
You'll remain seated. You're the widow after all.
Okay, okay.
THE SECOND DAY
Oh, Aoki, it's you.
What are you doing?
When did you arrive? What time is it?
It's 9:00. I just arrived.
Mr. Sakuma asked me to come and make myself useful.
I could help with office ways and other formalities.
And for that you brought the camera?
Well, I thought a film as a memento wouldn't be bad.
But don't overdo it.
All right.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Did you sleep well?
Yes, the inn is fine.
The toilet was spick-and-span, and the breakfast was excellent, too.
Now, let's see...
- How do you feel today? - Oh, I'm all right.
His face has hardly changed.
Oh, look, it's foggy.
- Good morning. - 'Morning.
The undertaker arrives at 11:00. I'll go register the death before that.
Could you go to the bank and withdraw some money, too?
- How much? - Well...
About 2 million yen should be enough. Just a minute.
Here, stamp and bank book.
- Thanks. - Don't lose it.
Okay, I'm off.
Oh, can you buy the sweets for the priest, too?
It's true. Your face hasn't changed much.
Maybe you'd like to have your glasses.
Oh, did you put on his glasses?
Yes, it looks much better.
He just looks like he's still alive.
Now he can cross the Sanzu River more securely.
I have to go back to Tokyo.
What, you're leaving?
I have some urgent business there.
But...
I'll be back before the priest. So...
Well then.
Rather than going home to put on mourning,
we recommend to come as you are.
This creates the impression that you came in a great hurry.
ABC OF FUNERALS
Then you'll greet the bereaved with the following words:
"This is an awful tragedy."
Or:
"I still can't believe it. This is such a terrible shock."
Even if you prepared yourself it may be hard to find the appropriate words.
But eloquence is not needed.
That's true.
If the bereaved asks the mourners:
"Please, view the deceased", the correct reply is:
"If I may."
Get up without haste, and follow the bereaved.
Pace to the altar...
You've to lead them.
...and stop at the head of the coffin.
At the head of the coffin
abide in solemn contemplation for two or three seconds.
Abide?
Pray and bow deeply.
Then return to the bereaved and ask:
"If there's anything I can do..."
I don't want to know what the mourners have to say, but our replies.
That's right. Just a minute.
- Now, if the mourner says: - There it is.
"It's an awful tragedy,"
An appropriate answer would be something like:
"It's very kind of you to come, despite your busy schedule.
The deceased would surely assent to my words."
But, if the mourner was a close friend of the deceased, you can add:
"Thank you very much that you were so good to him.
And our heartfelt thanks for the many visits you paid to him at the hospital.
Let us thank you again in his name, too."
Using these elaborate expressions, you'll make an impression.
That's clear.
Now, let's repeat together.
I'll read the lines of the mourners,
while you read the answers from the placard.
Ready?
"I still can't believe it. This is such a terrible shock."
Please answer.
"It's very kind of you to come, despite your busy schedule.
The deceased would surely assent to my words.
Thank you very much that you were so good to him.
Let us thank you again in his name, too."
But sometimes the grief over the loss of a next-to-kin is so overwhelming,
that it becomes impossible to pronounce an appropriate reply.
In this case, "I humbly thank you for your sympathies",
is a perfectly correct reply,
if expressed politely...
Hey, that's good.
Short and simple. That suits me.
I humbly thank you for your sympathies.
Hey, what's this?
What?
Oh, no, no, no!
What is it?
There have to be two speeches.
After the funeral service, in front of the house.
Who has to deliver them?
The widow or another next-of-kin.
Mother should...? She can't do that.
And that leaves...
Not that as well!
I can ask his brother to do one, but I won't get out of the second.
Not that!
I feel sorry for you.
I know, it's just the kind of thing you hate.
You'll do fine. When it matters, you're very good at these things.
Do I really have to? It's so depressing.
Who's that?
This is Ms. Saito. Mr. Sakuma asked her to come.
I'm Yoshiko Saito.
May I offer my condolences for the death of your father.
Mr. Sakuma asked me to come and give you a hand.
So, please don't hesitate to tell me what to do.
I humbly thank you for your sympathies.
Please tell us.
What a peaceful expression.
Please follow me.
We want to thank you for your efforts at that night.
I would have liked to have done more for him,
but as a psychiatrist, I couldn't do much.
Only yesterday, I talked with Setsuko, my wife here,
if the central hospital was the best choice.
Maybe it would have been better to send him to the public hospital.
It was just a thought.
Have you been satisfied with the hospital?
Yes, the doctor massaged his heart like this...
...for... I don't know how long.
Must have been at least for half an hour or even longer.
I understand that usually it's only 15 minutes.
But it doesn't matter, because by then, his heart had already stopped.
When the doctor pressed like this,
there where these zigzag lines on the display.
But whenever he stopped, there was only a straight line.
Then the doctor said, "Look, if I stop there's no reaction anymore.
Do you want me to continue anyway?"
I just couldn't tell him to continue.
I just couldn't.
You know, that doctor was pretty obese,
and he was sweating a lot.
He had already done so much.
So, I said "No, thank you. It's enough."
Then he stopped pressing. And then...
Then he did all he could.
Yes, I assure you that everything possible has been done.
Our sincere thanks again for everything that you've done for us.
These blue and white curtains did really go well.
Aoki captured it all with his camera.
RECORD OF A FUNERAL
INCENSE PRACTICE
USE EITHER ONE OR THREE.
BUT NEVER BLOW IT OUT.
FAN THEM OUT.
STICK THEM IN UPRIGHT.
NOW YOU BOYS TRY IT.
OH, THE BABY KICKED.
COME OUT SOON!
FAMILY SNAPSHOTS
PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAKE
EVERYTHING IS READY.
YOU EAT A LOT!
BUT I'M SO HUNGRY.
IT'S GOOD TO EAT.
THIS SANDWICH IS GOOD.
THE END
- Welcome back! - Just arrived.
And you brought along Auntie!
I met her at the station.
Oh, how could such a terrible thing happen?
I don't get it.
It was his heart? Did he have any heart trouble before?
No, we didn't know anything about it. It came totally out of the blue.
About tomorrow's lunch boxes...
Please, Mr. Amamiya, let's decide.
What lunch boxes?
Well, the funeral service will take place between 11:00 and 12:00 tomorrow.
At 12:00 we'll go to the crematory.
The cremation takes approximately 90 minutes.
So, we'll have lunch while we wait.
- A late lunch? - Yes.
Of course, it should be light fare,
since most people can't eat much on such occasions.
Therefore, I created a special lunch box, suited for cremations.
Please, try some.
It mostly consists of pickles.
Mushrooms and bamboo shoots on rice.
Plus small pieces of egg and sea bream.
- It's good. - Isn't it?
- A real treat. - Help yourself.
Thanks.
It's fine.
I don't want to!
No! No!
About the lunches...
- Oh, sure. - How many do we need?
Only the relatives go to the crematorium.
Mother and these two, and three, and Satomi, fifteen in all.
Let's make it twenty.
What'd ya say?
Fuck off!
No!
What's this ruckus?
I'll take care of that.
Hey, what's going on here?
What the hell are you doing?
Aoki, please, go get your car and wait for me over there.
Okay.
Hey, this may take a little while.
I'll wait.
Hey, hey.
Wait!
Hey, I said wait.
Where are you going?
What do you think you're doing. We're in mourning.
Say something!
Why don't you talk to me?
Soon evening will fall.
What's that supposed to mean?
At least you're talking again.
Don't cause any more trouble.
Did I ever cause you any trouble?
No, you didn't. I'm sorry.
Don't be like that.
You know very well, that I can't say anything in my defence.
Please understand. You have to go back with Aoki.
I have to attend this funeral.
Do you love me?
Of course.
But today you have to go home.
Tomorrow...
No, the day after, I'll call you.
Aoki, please drive her home.
Okay.
Come on, smile. I promise to call you.
You're not getting in?
You know I can't.
Then I won't either.
Hey...
Wait!
Hey, wait!
Quiet!
Stop it.
They'll hear you.
You only care what other people think.
You don't really love me.
That's not true. I really love you.
- Then take me home. - But...
- Take me back to Tokyo! - But you know I can't.
Then take me here. Right now.
Hey, hey!
Stop it. Someone will see us.
Stop it.
Stop it!
Poor mother's boy.
I'm going home now.
Oh...
I... lost my comb.
Huh?
What is it?
That's all right. I'll find it later for you.
No, I need it now.
My goodness! What did it look like?
It was just an ordinary comb.
This long, with golden stripes.
I must've dropped it around here.
It's not here.
It's useless.
I can search for it later. But now...
There it is!
Go get it.
Dear, what happened to you?
I fell down.
Are you all right?
Yes, I'm all right.
Hey! The priest arrived!
Please take care not to stumble.
This way, please.
His suit's all dirty.
I'm the Head Priest of Daisho Temple.
It must have been very hard on all of you, because it was so sudden.
Yes.
Especially, because he took such good care of himself.
He was diabetic.
But we didn't know about his heart.
How old was he?
He was 69.
That's 70 by our counting.
It seems that those years at the turn to the next decade
are the most dangerous.
But once you've pulled through, you're safe until the end of the next decade.
You add an additional year to his age?
Yes, that's right.
For us Buddhists birth begins with the conception, which makes him 70.
Now, let us pray together.
Our donation.
Thank you so much for your coming today.
And I thank you.
Oh, your holiness.
- Just a second. - What?
Come here for a moment.
Look at these wonderful tiles on the table top.
Aren't they pretty?
Are these tiles from France?
Yes, they're leftovers from the kitchen walls.
I had them made into a table.
A good idea, isn't it?
I should have thought of that for my garden table.
Do you remember where you bought them?
In Aoyoma, in Tokyo.
We should have a lot left. You can take them if you want.
Oh, no, I can't accept that. They're too precious.
Not at all. They're just lying around. You'd do us a favour to take them.
- Is that so? - Yes, please take them.
Then I thank you very much.
A lucky coincidence.
Yes, it's the unexpected that pleases the most.
- Please, follow me. - Thank you.
Night fell.
My wife's cousins came from Miakawa.
And the neighbours came over as well,
So that a large, cheerful company gathered for the wake.
Hello Akira, did you enjoy your sushi?
It was delicious.
The sushi is so much fresher, if you live near the sea.
I'm impressed that your children are so well-behaved.
Especially Jiro, was quietly sitting upright during the prayers.
Anyone's are better behaved than your grandchildren.
Come on, hush up.
From all these wreaths
I can see, that you must own a lot of companies.
Oh yes. I control all of them from Amamiya Finances, the main branch.
What's Amamiya Entertainment?
It's a chain of 5 cinemas, but there's no money in movies anymore.
I wanted to turn them into supermarkets, but there are too many already.
Now I'm considering parking decks.
That one's Amamiya Travel Company, a couple of travel agencies.
Amamiya Ltd. over there, is a trading company.
He was founding all these companies to keep his kids away from his money.
- It's safe from them that way. - What's that again, Shigeru?
Mr. Satomi. - Yes?
How much would you estimate his wealth?
I don't know. Some 100 millions?
Why so modest. It's billions, billions of yen.
Please, have another.
Thank you.
Was father a good member of the "Golden-Ager's?"
He was distinguished.
A real gentleman. Right?
Huh?
- Mr. Amamiya was a gentleman. - A gentleman, yes.
And distinguished, too.
Yes, distinguished, too.
He never raised his voice.
And a bit vain.
He was one of a kind.
And he was always smiling.
Huh?
He was always smiling.
Always smiling, yes.
He always talked about you and your family.
And about Yankichi, the tomcat.
He used to brag about Yankichi.
Brag about Yankichi, yes.
He said that the cat didn't mind at all those trips between Izu and Tokyo.
It never complained.
Animals can't complain, anyway.
You must've been really close.
When he became a member of your gateball team,
he was so proud.
He was so good at gateball.
He was so good at it that he immediately became a regular.
Right...?
I'm Mrs. Iwakiri,
And your father was helping me a lot to improve my play.
I wonder, if I could have a look at him one last time.
Excuse us. The "Golden Ager's" want to have a last look at father.
I see. Of course. He's looking so peacefully.
Mr. Amamiya!
We'll never play gateball together again.
Now, that's the way to cry.
Grandpa was very popular.
And who are they?
Well, that's Mr. Sakakibara, Mr. Kurosaki and the contractor Mr. Okumura.
Oh, the infamous "Three Crows"!
It's too bad.
Healthiness is really important.
Right? Want to know how I keep my health?
You'll be surprised.
I often talk about it, because it's fascinating.
My health...
Once he starts about it he can't be stopped.
I got high-blood pressure, but I like to drink my saké anyway.
And I love to eat greasy food, too.
Of course my doctor strictly prohibited both of it.
Despite that, I put some grease in the pan,
add some cabbage and bean sprouts,
and cook and fry'em fast.
And I eat a whole pan of it, every day.
And that's the secret about my health.
Well, Ma'am?
Yes?
Ma'am, is there any sake left?
Here too, Ma'am.
Coming.
Not you, Mum. You're the widow after all.
I'm sorry.
Not at all. It's coming.
This sure is great saké.
Mr. Okamura, you like saké?
Yes. To be honest, I never drink anything else.
Really?
Then I have a real treat for you.
- Hey, Chizuko. - Yes?
- Where's my special brand saké? - In the basement.
Dear, don't let them stay too long.
Shigeru wants to say farewell to Dad.
OK, OK.
They won't leave any time soon. Shall I ring the curfew bell?
I could honk the horn of the car.
I can't say anything.
It's always the same.
They stuck like limpets.
How about asking your husband for help?
I'll try right now.
Well, I guess, it's time to leave.
- Yes, I suppose so. - Yes, me too.
Guess it's time for us, too.
Really?
- Okamura, what do you think? - Guess we ought to go.
- OK, let's go. - Right.
Thank you very much for coming.
This is saké from Fushimi. A friend of mine brews it.
May I ask all of you to try a cup?
Would you mind?
It'll grant us a long live.
Excuse me, dear, just a minute...
It's time for them to leave.
The wake should be kept by immediate family only.
What's my husband doing now?
Darling, please...
Time to go home now.
- Don't go yet. - He wants you to stay.
- Then I'll stay. - No!
No! Go in, and get them all out of here. Right now!
Well, I guess we should all go now.
You all must be tired.
We really want to thank you very much for coming today.
Okay, let's go.
- I have to piss. - Toilet's this way.
Ma'am, thank you, thank you.
Granny, keep your chin up!
Thank you very much for coming today.
Let's not be so formal. We're neighbours, after all.
And as you sure know, neighbours have to help each other.
Hey, move it! What are you doing?
That's strange.
What?
Have you seen father?
Maybe he went home.
Oh my, maybe he's still in the tatami room.
- Huh? The tatami room? - Quick.
Grandpa, I'm so sorry, we left you sitting in the dark.
We're sorry that we've left you in the dark.
I don't mind.
Gramps, let's go home.
Go home?
Oh, please accept my apologies.
Unfortunately it was a sad occasion that brought us together today.
We'll all miss him dearly.
Good night.
Hey, Yashitaro. Let's go to my place.
You, too, Shiro.
Come on, let's go.
You can go with Uncle. I'll stay here.
You'll sleep here?
That's right. You can take him to the inn.
You're in a nasty mood, Shige.
The stars are out.
- We'll be going then. - Good-bye.
Thank you very much.
See you tomorrow.
Thank god! They finally left.
Oh, Chizuko, where's your husband?
He was tired and went to bed.
I see.
Then only the three of us should have another drink.
Mother...
Right...
To your health.
Uncle is such a selfish person, an egoistic bastard.
I just can't stand him.
He may have a lot of money, but he lacks the slightest bit of compassion.
I hate him.
Your father hated him too.
That's why he never went back home to Mikawa
for the last couple of years.
So, now it's my turn to look at the old man.
Uncle Shinkichi...
Well, let's go to sleep now.
- Altogether here? - I don't care.
Let's have another drink and cheer up a bit first.
Father would approve.
He always said that wakes should be fun.
And let's sing something. A song he liked.
By Chiyoko Shimakura.
You and me in Tokyo.
He spent hours learning it from a geisha when he visited Miazu.
Mother, let's sing.
It's so much fun, when for the first time in a long time
We walk hand-in-hand again, Mama.
It reminds me of the time
When I was a small child, Mama.
Here, here we are at the Nishubashi Bridge.
Let's have our picture taken here.
Mama, that's the Nishubashi Bridge over there.
While they were singing, I was still awake.
I was looking at that damned tape, preparing my speech for the next day.
THE THIRD DAY
Thank you very much.
Before we close the coffin, please gather round for a last good-bye.
Now, everyone, take a flower and put it in the coffin, please.
Well, Ma'am, please.
Hold it!
Don't move. I'll take a picture.
Akira, you'll take one from the other side.
Move a little closer to the coffin.
Look more desolate.
A bit closer. Good!
How about touching his face?
That's perfect.
Keep still. Attention. Keep still.
Now everybody should fold your hands in prayer.
A bit lower.
That's it. Ready now?
Done.
And now, everybody look at me.
Ready? Attention.
Done!
And now, we'll nail up the coffin.
It's only a ritual.
So just slightly tap on the nail with the stone once or twice.
Well, Ma'am, please.
Hey! Just pretend.
Now, we must finally part.
If you'd hold your speech now.
I am Shokichi Amamiya, Shinkichi Amamiya's elder brother.
I would like to say a few humble words to you.
Let me first thank you for honouring my brother with your presence.
I am very grateful for that.
In addition we want to thank you for the many donations,
which sure pleased the diseased,
and thereby enabled him, to rest in peace.
The diseased was born in Hokkaido, but later moved to Mikawa,
where we struggled together during the harsh postwar years.
Finally his destiny lead him here, to Kamome Hot Springs,
where, due to all of you,
he spend his last years happily and to the fullest.
Sadly, despite intensive medical care, he died from a sudden illness.
And so, today, he has to say farewell to us as well as you,
you, who have done so much for him, and who he had taken to his heart so dearly.
Therefore, let me sincerely thank you on his behalf
for the helpfulness and the friendship that all of you showed to him.
Recalling all this, let me express my hope
that all of us will continue to entertain
our neighbourly friendship in the future.
This I would humbly ask of you.
And please forgive me for this poor eulogy.
The small crematorium in the mountains was almost deserted.
My father-in-law was apparently the only one to be cremated on that day.
- Got my... - ...lunch pack.
You look worried.
Thinking about your speech?
No, I don't.
It'll be all right, dear.
You always do so well.
These are cherry trees.
Spring must be nice here.
I want to die in spring.
I'll be cremated under cherry blossoms.
How nice.
There's not much smoke.
I saw grandpa... I saw grandpa...
What is it?
Seems they looked into the furnace.
I'll go see.
Wabisuke, come here.
Chizuko, come on, hurry.
Come here!
Please forgive us for intruding.
There, you see?
He's really burning.
Can you see his head?
- Is this the ribcage? - Yeah.
Excuse me, I can imagine that this kind of work must be emotionally straining.
Well, it isn't easy.
Turning it on is the worst.
In what way?
During the ignition the fear, that someone might still be alive, is the worst.
- Did it ever happen? - No, never.
Besides, these people have been dead for two or three days already.
We know that, but...
every time we're still afraid that the corpse will move.
I even dream about it.
I've just ignited the gas and suddenly the corpse sits up.
Then I'm trying to turn off the gas, but I can't move.
The corpse sits there burning,
staring at me, relentlessly.
Do you have to control the heat?
Exactly.
You see, healthy persons burn more easily.
Therefore, for babies,
we don't use high temperatures, because no bones would be left.
So, we use low temperatures for them,
and burn them sort of gently.
So that's how it is.
At first, it was a bit scary.
But it was good to see this too. Right?
Yes, I agree.
- Want to see it, Mother? - No, I don't think so.
Oh!
We're back!
Ma'am, some salt!
Coming.
Stop!
Stay out.
Quickly.
Well, it's over.
Looks delicious.
And it's only 5,000 yen.
That's a bargain.
Before we start to eat,
Mr. Wabisuke Inoue will address a few final words to you.
Mr. Inoue.
- Well... - Yes?
I would like to...
Mother, just sit still and listen. After all you're the...
...widow.
Exactly.
That's why I think I should say some words of gratitude.
I'd second that.
Mother should have the last word.
In accordance with custom.
Uh, pardon me...
Now, Mrs. Kikue Amamiya, the widow of the diseased,
will speak to us.
I want to thank all of you to do us the honour of coming again today.
And I want to thank you...
well... sincerely... for your kind help during the last days,
despite the fact that all of you have busy schedules.
I'm sure my husband was very happy too about the beautiful funeral ceremony.
I thank you for this wholeheartedly.
I have only one regret these days.
When my husband died...
...then, you know, they'd send me out of the sick room.
Well, the doctors and nurses were struggling to help him.
So, I had to wait outside.
And... while I was waiting outside...
he died all alone inside.
That's why...
I really wish I could have been there...
to hold his hand.
To walk this path together with him.
No, that doesn't mean that I wanted to die with him.
But... it would have been nice... well...
...to be there and...
...to share his last moments with him.
So he died all alone and most certainly he felt very lonely.
But that all of you are here today is a big consolation,
and I'm sure he feels the same.
Even more...
I can feel...
he's come back to me,
and...
...that he's here with us now.
And he...
...and I, well...
...even though I'm alive...
...we will...
...begin a new life...
...together.
That's...
...how I...
...really feel.
So...
...I want to thank you... well,
for all the kindness you showed him during his live,
well... and personally...
...I thank every one of you,
with all my heart, for the last three days.
So, to all of you...
...thank you so very much.
Written and Directed by Juzo Itami
Produced by Yasushi Tamaoki and Yutaka Okada
Photographed by Yonezo Maeba
Lighting by Shosaku Kato
Recording by Minoru Nobuoka
Art Direction by Hiroshi Tokuda
Music by Joji Yuasa
Editing by Akira Suzuki
Black-and-white Photography by Shinpei Asai
Production Director: Yoshinori Fujita
Production Manager: Seigo Hosogoe
Casting by Kosaburo Sasaoka
Assistant Director: Hideyuki Hirayama
Cast
Wabisuke Inoue: Tsutomu Yamazaki
Chizuko Amamiya: Nobuko Miyamoto
Kikue Amamiya: Kin Sugai
Shokichi Amamiya: Hideji Otaki
Manager Satomi: Ichiro Zaitsu
Dr. Kimura: Masahiko Tsugawa
Yoshiko Saito: Haruna Takase
Head Priest: Chishu Ryu