A New Century Producers Itami Productions Film
This was my home when I lived in Izu
Now, since I moved to Tokyo, I call it my country place.
But really, it's my in-laws retirement home.
This is my wife's father.
He's just back from Tokyo.
How was it?
They said I'm OK.
He's in a good mood.
His doctors in Tokyo said ...
He's in fine shape.
He brought back ham, avocados, eel.
Usually a stingy husband ...
his impulsive largess surprised his wife.
well, I'm glad for you.
I feel real good.
Isn't it a relief?
Oh, it could be better.
I want to live to 120, with a young mistress.
Anything you say ...
Some pretty 19 or 20-year-old.
I'd give her a monthly allowance and ...
we would chat, eat together, that's all.
I'd really like that
What do you think?
You're a fool. You just want some girl to boast to ...
about the war, when you bought girls in Singapore.
No girl would want to listen.
The girl I'm looking for would.
I'm not looking for someone like you.
AII right, you just do what you want.
Ah, I feel so good.
After dinner it happened.
Help. It hurts.
What?
I said it hurts.
Wait, I'm washing up.
What happened? What's wrong?
Pain in my chest.
You're all sweaty.
Usually I get better when I look at the sea.
But not today.
Should I call a doctor?
No.
Maybe if I just lie down.
But the pain didn't go a way.
A psychiatrist lived next door ...
and he phoned the hospital.
A taxi was called.
He could still walk, and got in by himself.
They left home together. He never came back.
THE FUNERAL
THE FIRST DAY
It was raining the next day.
My wife and I were filming a commercial.
Let's do a test.
Test!
Quiet!
Test!
Ready!
Quiet!
Action!
Please ...
Cut!
Miss Amamiya ...
Chizuko Amamiya, telephone.
Thank you.
Oh, he just stopped breathing.
Was he in pain?
Naturally ...
It's good it didn't last long.
Did he say anything?
Nothing at all.
We'll be through soon.
We'll see you ...
At the hospital. Be strong.
Father's dead.
Where will the funeral be?
Mikawa, of course.
Not in Izu?
No. All the relatives are in Mikawa.
Their house is there, too.
Mother wants it in Izu.
At our house?
Yes.
This is no joke.
But ...
Never! Not a funeral at my house.
Why have it there?
Won't the relatives complain?
She says no.
She doesn't want to be obliged to them.
Please ...
A funeral at our house?
Yes ... please.
He's not even cold and ...
We're discussing his funeral.
I'm sorry, but you've got to be involved.
After all, he's your father, too.
Him?
My father?
Of course ... your father-in-law anyway.
I just heard ...
that your father passed away.
It's so sudden. What can I say.
Please accept my sympathy.
I want to talk to you two.
Are you mad at us?
No, just sit down.
Now listen carefully to me.
Your grandfather just died.
It's sad but we all die once.
There's nothing we can do about it.
Maybe life wasn't too good to him ...
but he had two very fine grandchildren.
So maybe he died happy.
We need a coffin, right?
To take him out of the hospital.
I don't know. It's hard to choose over the phone.
Nothing too much? but nothing too cheap either.
How about something a bit better than average?
130,000 yen.
What else?
Make it the 130,000 yen one, then.
We'll see you at the hospital?
See you there, then.
I manage Wabisuke Inoue and Chizuko Amamiya.
Satomi's my name.
Yeah, sure. Goodbye.
I got the coffin.
Cost 130,000.
130,000 yen ...
Is that cheap or expensive?
Now for tonight we'll need some food.
How about Sushi?
For how many?
Maybe twenty people.
Wouldn't that be too much?
But what if the food runs out ?
That's true, but.
He's all set.
And so we set off in the rain.
My first funeral. I just hoped it went right.
It's good he didn't suffer long.
Yes, it's good he went quickly.
Could have taken years. That would have been hard.
For your mother, I mean.
I suppose.
She's already put up with a lot.
After the war, they had to run that whorehouse to eat.
She did all the work, while he ...
just tasted the merchandise.
She was crying all the time.
He named me after a lover.
He was that kind of man.
Please. Over here.
Park here. Please.
It's out of the rain.
See, you didn't get wet.
I'm your local undertaker, Mr. Ebihara.
Please. accept my sympathies for your great loss.
Please, this way.
In the morgue, my wife's sister ...
and her family, and the new widow were waiting.
Are you all right?
Are you sure?
Yes, I'm all right.
This is father's brother, head of Amamiya Corp.
I'm the older brother.
I think I met you at your wedding.
I feel for you deeply for our mutual loss.
I'm sorry, too.
There were seven of us, all gone now but me.
He and I were the last ones.
Now he's dead and I'm the only one left.
Please, everyone, come see him.
Really a beautiful expression
Really.
Yes, look how peaceful he looks.
Like he's sleeping.
But this ear's changing color.
How did it happen?
Well ...
It was about 4:00.
He's run out of tissues.
So I said "can I go buy some? "
And he said "AII right. "
So I said "Just ring the bell if anything happens. "
When I came back ...
the doctors were crowding around ...
and wheeling in all those big machines.
I was trying my best to see in ...
and his face was all gray.
And his body shook like this.
And that was it.
The nurses told me to wait outside.
Then the doctor called me.
And then ...
Got any cash?
I'll go pay the hospital.
How much?
I don't really know.
I've only some 200,000 yen.
I hope that's enough.
The total is 33,560 yen.
33 what?
Thousand.
It includes washing the corpse and death certificate.
Which would you prefer?
To take him home like this and put him in his bed ...
or put him in his casket now?
Could we put him in now?
That's quite proper.
Many families do.
Oh, poor father.
What do you think?
Well ... what about you?
Let's put him in now.
That's all right with me.
And you?
I say put him in now.
Putting him back in bed is just a little too much.
It would be like him dying twice.
OK. We do it now.
Just a minute.
What?
If you put him in the coffin ...
then how do you carry it?
In a van.
A van?
then you take him out and put him to bed at home?
No.
You put the coffin in front of the altar.
Isn't that so?
Yes, he stays in the coffin.
Not in the bed?
That's right.
You mean ...
You take him out and put him in bed ...
when the priest comes?
No.
He stays in the coffin.
But you said to put him in bed.
Only if we don't put him in the coffin now.
Then we take him to bed.
Where's the coffin then?
You put him in it tomorrow.
Wait just a minute, let's think about the best way.
Just when mother's pulled herself together ...
putting him back in bed is wrong.
Instead ...
Just a minute ...
It's a raining.
We don't want to get him wet.
So let's just put him in now.
That's right, right?
OK by me.
Let's do it.
Very well.
We don't do it lie this back home.
Now, together, place the deceased in his coffin.
the closest should fit the tabi
Now, you two fit the zori
Everyone else, please assist.
Now the relatives will move the deceased.
Please, everyone lend a hand.
He's still warm.
He is !
He can't be.
But just feel.
It's the shroud that's warm.
Now, arrange the dry ice.
It's hinged. So you can see him anytime.
Shall we go?
We're sorry we couldn't do more .
Take care.
Watch the stairs.
Shit, my hand's caught.
Lift the bottom.
OK. Forward. Easy now.
Hold on.
Hey, where's his head?
Here it is.
Then he's upside down.
Shit, he's slipping.
Go back, we'll turn around.
We're soaked.
Where do you want him?
Up in front. There, I guess.
Just a minute.
Is the direction OK?
What direction?
His head to the north.
To the north?
It's custom. the head points north.
Well, this is the west, so.
Then north is ...
Just right. This way's north.
Then west ...
This way.
Then north is?
That way.
So every thing's OK after all.
Here kitty, kitty.
The cat's here, too?
This might take awhile.
Oh, such a sudden tragedy.
Such a terrible pity.
We're so sorry.
We came to help in the kitchen.
Thank you.
It must have been just awful.
So sudden, too.
He was still so young.
I was shocked.
He seemed so healthy.
And so good at croquet, too.
Hello! Here's the sushi
Oh, his- and- hers raincoats, how cute.
A terrible shock.
Just tell us what to do.
Here's the picture.
Where did you get this?
We had it.
It's a perfect funeral picture.
All it needs is some black crepe.
It was taken this spring.
He had it done suddenly. Dug out his medals ...
put on his tails and went to the photographer's.
He look s sarcastic.
He looked like that when he was happy .
He thought of everything, didn't he?
He always did.
He cost us only 33,560 yen to die.
Only 33,560 yen including the death certificate.
That's the way to go.
Let's check the schedule again.
Tomorrow's the wake, and next day's the funeral.
There's no Shingon temple nearby.
So we called a Jodo priest ...
No Shingon?
No.
What about this Jodo priest?
He's very high ...
good reputation, too.
What about his posthumous name?
He can keep his own for now.
We'll get his new one later.
Sure that's OK?
You bet.
What time. does this priest arrive?
Well, how about 5:00?
5:00, right.
What should we do with this priest?
First, serve him tea.
Wait, let's get my wife in here.
What is it?
We're talking about priests.
First, he says, tea.
Tea?
Yes, tea.
And then some sweets.
Any sort will do.
They're not to eat. He takes them home.
What about the donation?
How much should we give him?
Huh?
How big a "donation"?
Donation, well?
Since it's a donation ...
there's no flat rate.
But here must be a going market price.
Well, it's only a sign of gratitude.
Oh, either 100,000 or 200,000 yen.
Look, you say either.
One is twice the other.
You really should tell us.
Well, either amount.
But for famous people like you, 200,000 yen.
Right, 200,000 then.
That's all for today. I'll see you tomorrow.
I'm exhausted, all right if I turn in?
Sure. We'll be staying here.
I have to keep the incense burning.
A drink ?
Sake.
No, Mother you stay.
You're the next-of-kin.
THE SECOND DAY
Oh hell ... It's you.
What time is it, Aoki?
9:00. I just got here.
Sakuma told me to come help.
I'll usher or something for you.
So, you brought your camera?
Thought it should be preserved.
Don't overdo it.
Good morning.
Did you sleep well?
Yes, the inn had good food. Clean toilet, too.
How do you feel?
Oh, I'm all right.
His face looks the same.
It's foggy ...
I'll go register the death now, while I have time.
Could you go to the bank, too?
How much?
Oh about 2 million yen?
Here's the bank book.
Don't lose it.
Never fear, bye.
Get the sweets for the priest, too .
Your face still looks normal.
Maybe you'd like your glasses.
Oh, how thoughtful of you.
Yes, that looks better.
Just like he's alive.
Now he can see where he's going.
Well, I'm off to Tokyo.
You're leaving?
I have some business there.
But I'll be back before the priest.
"Rather than dressing formally ...
"When visiting the bereaved, greet then with:
'This is an awful tragedy'
or ...
'This is such a terrible shock.'
"It may be hard to be eloquent."
"But eloquence at such times is not needed."
That's true.
"If the bereaved ask the mourners ...
to 'please view the deceased'"
"The correct reply is.. 'If I may' "
"Without hysterics, stand, and proceed as indicated."
Indicate?
"Proceed to the head of the coffin."
"At the coffin solemnly regard the face for several seconds."
Regard?
"Make a very deep bow."
"And say to the bereaved ...
'Can we do anything?'"
But I want to know our roles, not theirs.
Just a minute.
"Now for the bereaved."
If the visitor say: 'It has been great tragedy'
Say 'Your presence here would ...
have pleased the deceased. '
'To those closer to the deceased' add ...
'You were so good to him when he was alive,'
'Thank you for visiting him in the hospital, '
'In his place. I deeply thank you.'
"These are the most correct expressions."
"Now let us review."
I will read the guests lines ...
and you answer from your text.
"This is a great tragedy."
All together now.
Your presence here would have pleased the deceased.
You were so good to him when he was alive.
In his place I deeply thank you.
"But, at times when grief is so overwhelming ... "
"When the proper reply is impossible to voice ... "
"Saying sincerely 'I thank you humbly' ... "
is perfectly correct. ''
Hey, that's good.
And short. That's for me.
I thank you humbly.
Hey, what's this?
What?
What is it?
Speeches have to be made before and after.
Who makes them?
The next-of-kin or chief m o u r n e r .
Mother? She can't possibly ...
And that leaves ...
Oh hell!
His brother can do one, but I'm stuck with the other.
Oh, s h i t !
I know it's just the kind of thing you hate.
You'll do fine.
I know you will.
Of all the depressing things.
Who's that?
This is Ms. Saito. She came to help too.
I'm Yoshiko Saito.
This is indeed a great tragedy.
Mr. Sakuma asked me to come and help.
Please, just tell me what to do.
I thank you humbly.
Just tell us.
What a peaceful expression.
You were so much help that night.
Not really. As a Psychiatrist I couldn't do much.
I asked Setsuko, my wife here ...
if Central Hospital was the best choice.
Or would National have been better.
How was it at Central?
They massaged his heart ...
for I don't know how long.
Must have been half an hour.
Usually it's only 15 minutes.
But, by then his heart had already stopped.
When the doctor did this, the meter went up and down.
But when he stopped, it did too.
And then he asked, "What do you want me to do? "
I just couldn't ask him to do more.
That big doctor sweated so.
He did so much.
So I said to him "Enough is enough" and then ...
Then he did all he could.
Yes, he did everything he could.
Thank you so much.
The blue and white curtains were a bright touch.
Aoki captured it all.
THE RECORD OF A FUNERAL
INCENSE PRACTICE
USE EITHER ONE OR THREE
BUT NEVER BLOW IT OUT.
FAN THEM OUT.
STAND EACH ONE UP STRAIGHT.
YOU BOYS TRY IT.
OH, THE BABY KICKED.
COME ON OUT!
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
You brought your wife?
We met at the station.
Oh, what an awful thing.
His heart? Was his heart bad?
We didn't know. It came as a shock.
About tomorrows lunches ...
Yeah, let's decide.
What lunches?
The box lunches. The ceremony is at 11:00.
Then at 12:00 we go to the crematory.
the cremation takes 90 minutes.
So we eat while we wait.
A late lunch?
It's light, of course ...
since most people don't want to eat at all.
So I invented a special "Cremation Lunch."
Here, try some.
It's vegetarian: mushrooms bamboo shoots, rice.
Plus some fish and eggs.
This is good.
Isn't it?
A real treat.
Help yourself.
It's fine.
About the lunches ...
Oh yes.
How many?
Just for relatives, so fifteen in all.
Let's make it twenty.
What the hell?
I'll settle that.
Hey, stop that you two.
What the hell. are you doing?
Aoki, go get your car.
Right away.
This may take a little while.
I'll wait.
Wait!
I said wait.
What's got into you?
Look, this is a funeral.
Say something.
Say anything!
Evening's coming.
What the hell?
At least you said something.
Don't cause trouble.
Have I ever?
No. I'm sorry.
Don't be like that.
You know I have no excuse.
Please, just go back, with Aoki
I have this funeral.
Do you love me?
Of course.
So just go home now.
Tomorrow ...
no, the day after, I'll call you.
In you go. Thanks, Aoki
Smile. I'll call you.
You're not getting in?
You know I can't.
Then I won't.
Wait!
Oh, s h i t !
Please !
Hush up.
You only care what other people think.
You don't love me at all.
No, I really love you.
Then take me back.
Take me to Tokyo!
But you know I can't.
Then take me. Now. Here.
Stop it, someone will see us.
Poor little boy.
I'll leave now.