WHISTLING IN KOTAN [KOTAN NO KUCHIBUE]
Producer: Tomoyuki Tanaka
Original idea: Nobuo Ishimori Script: Shinobu Hashimoto
Image: Masao Tamai Production Design: Satoshi Chuko
Sound: Masao Fujiyoshi
Lightning: Shochiro Ishii Music: Akira Ifukube
Assistant director: Koji Kajita Editing: Eiji Ooi
Tokyo Laboratory LTD
CAST
Kun Kubo Ryoko Koda
Masayuki Mori Akira Takarada
Akira Kubo Kumi Mizumo
Takashi Shimura
Kyu Sazanka Yoshio Tsuchiya
Chieko Nakakita
Director: Mikio Naruse
A CITY IN HOKKAIDO
KOTAN (VILLAGE AÏNU) IN THE SUBURBS OF THE CITY
Papa! Tobacco.
Here you have.
- Will you be late today? - No.
Today I'll come back early.
Goodbye!
- Hi! - Hello. Your father left?
- Yes. How's your grandma? - She's better since this morning.
Do you work today, Fue?
You're waiting for me or are we going together?
Alright.
- I'm leaving, sis. - Alright.
- Good-morning. - Morning.
- Morning, madam. - Good Morning.
- Glad that you're better. - Thanks.
I recovered.
Masa, professor Kubota didn't say anything to you?
- About the dancing courses? - I'm not going for days now.
If you see him, say that I'll retake them soon.
Yes.
- Look, the dog arrives. - What dog?
- I mean Aïnu. - Of course!
- Morning. - Morning!
Want to come back with me later? I have a new book.
Sure!
- Is that good? - Yes.
Hatanaka, teacher Taniguchi said that he wanted to see you.
- He is at the drawing class. - Okay.
- Bye. - Bye.
Come in.
I liked very much the drawing you made of the river.
You really captured the morning light.
You need to be good in capturing this light with water-colours.
What do you think?
I want to participate in the drawing competition in Tokyo.
- That's good! - I would like to ask you something.
- What is it? - I want to you become my model.
- Me? - With the lake in the background.
You don't want to?
You just need to sit close to the lake.
You can wear anything you like.
If you don't want to be alone, come with Yutaka.
- Think about it. - Alright.
You can go. I don't want you to get late.
We have a meeting with the main teacher now.
Something happened?
Goto lost his wallet in the class.
Two days ago, I bought three notebooks at the school's library...
...and I forgot my wallet on the desk.
Today, I checked the desk and the wallet wasn't there anymore.
- Do you have any questions? - Yes.
- Go, Hanamura. - What was inside it?
How much money was in it?
- About 2500 yens. - That's too much!
Well, kids.
Has anyone have an idea?
Do you want to dicuss between yourselves?
Professor, you should talk about it privately.
- With whom? - You, Goto and somebody else.
- Like Suzuki, for example? - That's a good idea.
So, we will talk tomorrow. Do you all agree?
- Yes. - I don't.
This affair does not concern only myself.
But it concerns all the class.
- What do you think then, Goto? - I have a question.
- What's the question? - Can I ask it?
- Hatanaka. - Yes?
Do you know where is my wallet?
Why would I have anything to do with your wallet?
I'm only asking if you know where it is.
- Why asking me? - Haven't I got the right?
I found it rude that you only ask her.
I'm not talking to you.
- Do we stay a little longer today? - Yes.
Each day, I go to teacher Nakanishi's house...
...and Wakarupa teaches me to carve bears.
- It's very amusing! - Yes.
So she had left it at her home.
Yes, but she accused me without proofs.
She did it because we are a poor family, teacher.
There are other poor families but we are Ainus.
It's the only explication.
I don't want to go to school anymore.
There's only one year left.
What will happen to Yutaka if you leave school?
Don't you regret it?
Yutaka is Yutaka, and me is me.
Masa.
I don't know what happens in high school.
But I work in elementary school and I know the situation well.
Things are much better than they were in the past.
At my time, we were subjected to worse humiliations.
And we would bear them in silence.
You are very patient.
But I can't stand that they bully me with no reason.
- Wake him up. - Always the same.
Mr. Hatanaka. Mr. Hatanaka!
- The others left already. - They left?
They left you with the check. You don't have a chance.
They bully you and get amused with it.
And you, you take it seriously.
A Shamo cheated on you and stole your land...
...and you chased him in order to expel him.
- I will pay you at the end of the month. - Okay.
Don't forget the food.
Next time, leave first. Your kids might be worried.
He really chaged after the death of his wife.
- She was japanese, right? - Yes, she was a Shamo.
I think that she belonged to the Akita perfecture.
She is...
Sis, how do I translate that?
Sis! Tell me...
I don't know what happened to you but it's not my fault, for sure.
Bring me a glass of water.
The Shamos find it weird that us, Ainus,...
...regard bears as our gods.
Don't they eat pork and cow meat?
If we have to thank someone it's the animals...
...that give us meat.
The Shamos say that bears are not our only gods.
There is the gods of fire, of water, of fish and of snakes.
We, the Ainus, have gods for everything.
They say that having so many gods is the same as to have none at all.
But even if those gods do not exist, we still believe in them.
We always had strong convictions.
According to our religion, if someone commits a crime...
...everyone at Tanko village will punish him.
That will never change.
And what do the Shamos believe?
Do they believe in anything at all?
They are skilled for words, but they are corrupted.
Because of that, in the next war, they'll loose everything,
...from Sakhaline to Manchuria and from Korea to Taiwan.
If they don't change, they are lost.
Are you studying, Yutaka?
Next week there will be exams.
Oh, right?
If you have any questions, ask your sister.
Don't sleep there, dad.
Sorry, kids.
I don't want you to become drunk like your father.
You shall help eachother.
Papa! Papa. Help me, Yutaka.
- Hi. - Hello.
- You're very diligent. - What do you think, professor?
You progressed very quickly.
Next year...
...I'll participate at the Handicraft Exposition in Tokyo.
You are very brave.
How is your sister? I didn't see her this past days.
Yes.
A friend of teacher Kubota said that this Fall...
...a ballet group is coming to Sapporo.
Really?
Teacher invited me to accompany him...
...so that everyone can see me dance.
- That's great. - I'm very excited.
Fue!
- Hi. - Hi.
I have the photos from the other day. They are great.
Really? Show me them.
- I'm going to get them. - Alright.
- We're going. You're coming? - Sure.
Oh, you have visits?
- Good morning. - Good morning, professor.
Morning.
Here.
What a beautiful photo!
I am a good photographer.
A professional.
And me, a good model.
You're right, Fue. He could pay you for your services.
- Will you give me a copy, Kiyoshi? - You can keep it.
Thank you.
- Hi, Fue. - Morning.
Give this to your grandma.
Accept them, it's nothing special.
So why did you eat so much, if you don't like it?
Teacher Tazawa is good with everyone.
I know.
But he is even better with Fue. She's his favorite.
- Because she's too pretty. - Yes, she makes me jealous!
She doesn't seem to feel inferior, and she has a good job.
She studies dance and she gets photographed.
You're jealous because of that?
You know, Yutaka? Today, teacher Taniguchi...
What happened, granny? Why are you crying?
Because you make me so happy!
Cry when you're sad. When you're happy, smile!
Here.
- You love it? - Take one yourself.
Sure!
Do you see how far I can lift my leg?
- That's incredible! - Would you like if I was a dancer?
- Ancer? - Dancer, granny!
You could do something better than being a dancer.
- For example? - Nevermind.
The most important is that you do what you love.
- I would love to go to the lake. - They will show my picture.
- That's fine. - I was thinking you wouldn't like it.
But I do, what are you talking about?.
Wouldn't you be bothered if the japanese said bad things about myself?
I am a girl and I am shy.
You think only about yourself.
What you are doing is helping teacher Taniguchi.
Teacher Taniguchi drew Mitsui, the music teacher.
Teacher Mitsui?
If I was a drawing teacher, I would have draw her as well.
- She's very beautiful. - Whatever.
Shall we go to the lake?
- Dad would not let us go. - And if we ask him?
He must not know about it, if he does he will get mad.
- Hi, papa. - Hi, papa.
- There, Masa. - Thanks.
You came early today, dad.
- Do you preffer when I arrive late? - No, I love when you arrive early.
- What's that? - Herrings. They look delicious!
That must have cost a lot.
Mother loved herrings.
- Is that so? - Yes.
When I bought herrings, she was very happy.
- What did she love more? - She loved kakis.
I love them too.
You look like her, more and more. You have the same tastes as her.
Does she look so much like mother?
If she has to take after someone, I want it to be her mother.
Granda seems happy.
- She sings. - You're right.
Yutaka, don't read in the dark, or you'll see worse.
- Papa. - Yes.
- Can I go to the lake tomorrow? - Yutaka!
- With who? - With Masa.
Taniguchi, the drawing teacher, will take us.
- With the rest of the class? - No, only us two.
And why did he invited you two only?
Teacher wants to paint a picture in water colours.
- Of you? - Yes, with the lake in the background.
- Yutaka too? - No, only me.
Yutaka will accompany us.
You're lucky.
When I was little, teachers were unapproachable.
When we were at school, they would despise us.
We didn't have japanese friends.
It was that tough?
Our education was scary.
We were always convinced that we were inferior.
We were always the first ones to lower the heads.
They said to us that goodness did not depend on the colour of the hair...
...or of skin, but it was all futile.
But you were born in a different age.
You breath new air.
- Can we go, dad? - Yes.
- You see? - Yutaka.
Do you know the legend of the Lake?
- What legend? - Tell us, dad.
A long time ago, a giant salmon lived in the lake.
When he moved, he caused a strong earthquake.
A local fisherman wanted to kill him.
One day, he striked it with is harpoon.
With despair, the salmon moved with all his mighty.
The man was dragged and died in the bottom of the lake.
It's a sad story, right?
The man died, leaving his wife and two kids.
Years later, the kids wanted to kill the salmon too.
One day, while his sister was collecting plants
...the brother threw the harpoon and striked it on the salmon's head.
They fought between six days and six nights.
Neither of them could win against eachother.
When the girl grew up, she helped her brother...
...and again, they fought between six days and six nights.
But they didn't manage to kill it.
The sister prayed to the skies for help...
...and their deceased father came to their help.
The salmon delcared defeat and they drag it to the border of the lake.
There's many legends. You should do this, Yutaka.
You could gather and write all legends of the region, right?
- I don't write well. - But that would be amazing.
That's a good idea. There are legends that are very humanist.
Teacher, are there more legends about this lake?
Models shall not move.
It's lunch time.
After lunch, I will tell you more legends.
You can rest now.
Here.
MASA HATANAKA
She can't draw that good.
Teacher Taniguchi has to retouch it.
He always protected her so that she doesn't feel humiliated.
She's Taniguchi's pet.
I want to ask something.
Why do you think that teacher retouched the painting?
Because it looks like the paintings of Teacher Taniguchi.
It's true.
It's normal that they look alike, it's him who taught me to draw.
Why do you say that I'm teacher's pet?
There are people that draw better than you.
Teacher freely chooses the paintings that he's going to show.
It's very bad of you to think that those that he selects...
...are his favourites.
- Do you think we are bad girls? - Yes, that's what I said.
How dare you? You're nothing but a bootlicker.
You're rude!
What are you doing?
In general, nobody had good grades in english.
However, the average mark was quite high.
The best grade was Hatanaka's, with 95 points.
Hatanaka's grade was very good and his writting is very beautiful.
I warn you to study more for the second semester.
Yes.
Stand up!
Salute.
You will not win me next semester.
- I'm going to see my sister. - You're going to tell her?
Oui.
Cheater, Cheater! Cheater, cheater!
Chea...
- I didn't cheat. - Don't lie!
You couldn't have that grade without cheating.
A retard like you can't have good grades.
The god of the cheaters helped you.
Sato. You're calling me retard?
That's it.
Why do you think I'm not like you?
- Don't you realize already? - What?
Well, you were always different from us
Why would I be different?
The blood that runs in your veins is not like ours.
- Blood? - Exactly.
Sato, it was the teacher who gave the grade.
- Shut up. - Sato!
I didn't ask for your opinion.
It's not your problem. This concerns all class.
You should speak with the english teacher.
You don't have to bear it, Hatanaka.
Doesn't matter. I have an idea.
LABORATORY
- What do you want to tell me? - Don't talk so loud.
Alright, let it go.
A while ago, you said I was a cheater.
So what?
You said Ainus and Japanese have different blood.
Yes, that's what I said.
Neither of us know the difference.
Let's draw our blood.
We will observe the samples through the microscope.
Like that we will know the difference.
I will do it first and then you will draw yours.
Lost your words? Well, i'm doing it.
Your turn.
If you don't do it yourself, i'll do it for you.
Give me your hand.
Stop! It's school's proprety!
Hey, kids!
Stop! Come here! It's incredible! Stop!
Mr. Janitor, this lunatic wants to kill me.
- Let go! - Do not move!
I want his blood... I want...
It was him who broke the window.
- Do not go, Go! - Ah, let go.
Wait, go!
I hate it. The world with be a better place without him.
Why?
He accused me and bullied me with no reason.
You're wrong, Yutaka. Gon is jealous.
- He's jealous. - But...
Without you, Gon would be the strongest on his class..
...and the fastest when running. Don't you think so?
But he can't be that, because you're there.
You're an important obstacle for a leader like Gon.
He doesn't stand you.
That's why he doesn't leave you alone.
And to worsen things, you're an Ainu.
So, his rage and his will to be the best turn into new shapes.
He plays dirty and he bullies.
That's how kids like Gon and Sabo think.
Understand?
I see that you don't.
It's not grave, it's too early for you to understand.
We, the Ainus, have always cried because of that suffering.
And we learned to resign ourselves.
- But I, I don't... - You should not resign yourself.
For us, it's already too late.
But I warn you, the worst is yet to come.
It's near Summer. You prepared something, Yutaka?
Where are you going, professor?
To Sapporo. I want to send this painting to Tokyo.
- Congratulations. - Do not congratulate me now.
You're going to accompany him, Masa?
Yes, I deserve for being such a good model.
That's good! I'm happy.
Where is Yutaka?
He went to swim to my uncle's at Shiraoi.
I see that he's amused. What do your uncle does?
In the past, he was a fisherman.
He only had one boat and three tools.
But he doesn't fish anymore. Now he works at public buildings.
I see.
AINU MUSEUM
- How could they do that? - I'm ashamed of them.
But it's the best way to win some profits.
This is not a simple presentation of traditional dances.
Tourists pay a lot to see the outfits of those false Ainus.
Now we can only wait for the veridict.
Gods, help him to get his victory.
Where can we go now? Shall we go to the mall?
- Hum... - Or do you preffer going to the cinema?
I don't love crowded places.
I see.
Come.
- What a view! - It's so big, right?
We can see all city of Sapporo.
In front of such imponence,
- ...everything seems so small. - You're right.
These potatoes are small.
Yes, but in September they will have grown.
You know, Yutaka? According to my experience,
...the Ainus have always three ways to survive.
My father's way is cowardly.
He criticizes Japanese in the back but he lowers his head in front.
The most intelligent way is the one of the city chef.
He takes advantage of the Ainus in order to steal money from the Shamos.
Those that don't chose any of those two options...
...are the rebels.
They are the most stubborn, those who face the Shamos.
I've chosen the third option. And I'm ready for...
- Hi, papa. - Hi.
Shall we do a tour?
- I think that you're wrong, Koji. - Why?
Some Japanese have contempt for us.
But they aren't all the same. There's always good persons.
We should get along fine with eachother.
They treat you good only to save their appearences.
But, deep inside, they hate you because you're an Ainu.
Do you want to know my friend Okano? I'm sure you'll like him.
With your age, there are no problems, but the adult world is different.
There is good adults too, Like professor Tazawa.
- Teacher Tazawa? - He is the school principal.
In Kotan, we regard him as a God.
Teachers always will support anyone...
...that defends liberty, equality and love.
If you doubt everyone, you will not being able to trust anyone.
No Shamo deserves my trust.
- How beautiful it is! - Let's go to the other side!
It's amazing.
I'm sorry.
- Shall we stay? - Don't be shy.
- I found a good place. - I'm leaving.
Don't joke around! The best is yet to come.
But I...
- Hi. - What a surprise!
You're here.
- Good night, teacher. - Good night.
Good night.
- Yutaka is still with his uncle? - Yes.
- Sorry to bother you. - Do not worry.
Why didn't you go to the city with Fue?
Old people shouldn't bother young people.
- What's Fue age? - Eighteen.
Eighteen? I thought she was twenty years old.
Thanks to the ballet her body is well built.
- Did you want to see me, grandma? - Yes.
It seems like Niagara falls!
I'm old now and my hour is soon to come.
The only thing that bothers me, is to leave Fue when I die.
But, grandma...
This conversation is useless, but...
...teacher Tazawa has always cared for Fue since she was a child.
She knows her more than anybody,
...and his wife too is very attached to her.
Fue is in love with Kiyoshi.
Teacher, you see professor Tazawa everyday in the school.
Please, persuade Tazawa to accept Fue...
...as Kiyoshi's wife.
Your word is enough. I beg you, ask him.
Miss Ikante. Ask me anything but that.
It's too hot in Tokyo. I would like if you could give me...
...some fresh air from Hokkaido by mail.
Summer is ending.
- Yutaka, is Okano is here. - Hi!
- They say that you arrived yesterday. - Yes.
- Here, potatoes from my house. - Can I have them?
- Of course. - They smell great!
- Taniguchi is at Tokyo? - Yes. He will know the veridict soon.
- I hope he wins! - I'm really nervous!
- Because you were his model? - You're right.
- Enter. - Yes.
Yutaka, give this potatoes to granny.
Alright.
- Fue! - They look great! Where it comes from?
Okano bring them. These are for you.
- Thanks. - And your grandma?
- She's not there. - Where is she?
She left without saying anything.
I don't know where she went.
- What a surprise! Welcome. - Excuse my long silence.
You don't have to be sorry. Sit down.
- You're alright, that's what counts. - Et vous et votre femme?
Good, thank you. Fue still dances?
She loves to jump and dance, like she was a rabbit.
Yes, she is not a kid anymore.
She's a great girl. Nice and pretty.
She is an orphan educated by an old anguished woman.
It's because of you that she turned into such a fine girl.
And that photo?
The Sapporo newspaper called for a photography contest.
That photo got the first price. She's beautiful, isn't it?
- Fue is now a woman. - Yes, that's a wonderful girl...
That photo is Kiyoshi's favorite.
- He himself put it there. - Teacher.
- Yes. - I would like to speak about Fue.
You can speak freely. No formality between us.
Alright.
- Here. - Thank you very much.
Let's go.
Teacher, I beg you the most important thing in my life.
I'm listening. I'll do my best.
As you know, I always listen to what you have to say.
In Kotan they say that you never discriminated Ainus children.
- You're a good for us. - Do not exaggerate.
That's not a compliment. These past twenty years,
...you never made any distinction between Ainus and Japanese.
That was always my intention.
And you will keep that intention, professor?
I will not change anything in my conduct.
Will you keep treating Fue like you do with any Japanese?
Sure. But why ask all that?
Teacher, I want that Fue marries with Kiyoshi.
I know that they belong to different social classes.
But Fue will be very happy if Kiyoshi accepts.
If everything turns out well, that will show your ideology...
...which is contrary to the Ainu discrimination ...
...that triumphed over Kotan.
It's very important to me.
Miss Ikante, Kiyoshi should decide himself.
- I don't know his feelings. - And if Kiyoshi accepts?
Don't ask me to lead this in such a pragmatic way.
Each family acts upon his own history.
And also, we should think about the entourage.
- Talk about it with Fue. - With Fue?
Talk with her and rethink about that question.
- Alright. - I hope you understand.
I do.
I'm sorry but I beg you to reconsider.
I have to go.
What happened? You seem to be down.
I'm going back home.
Because you look so down I was thinking that you might have a problem.
I got some tomatoes. Do you want some?
Miss Ikante?
It's very hot, right?
You shouldn't walk outside at mid-day.
What's happening?
Don't you want to eat?
The neighbours brought some tasty apples.
Granny! What's happening?
Granny!
Are you alright, Granny?
Fue. I was at professor Tazawa.
You were at his house?
Why did you go there?
I was worried about you. You love Kiyoshi, right?
And Kiyoshi love you also. So I thought that...
You thought what?
Say.
Sorry. I did it for your own good.
- Masa Hatanaka? - It's me.
- Here. - Thanks.
He won!
Granny! Granny!
Granny!
What do you want? My grandma is sleeping.
She didn't eat yet. I didn't go to work today.
Something happened? You're very pale.
- I didn't sleep at all. - What did happen?
I argued with my grandmother.
You'll know it anyway. I'll tell you later.
- What did you want? - This comes from teacher Taniguchi.
- He won! - Yes.
Congratulations.
I invite you to eat to celebrate it.
My granny has a big nose and she complicated things.
Now, I see everything black.
But she only wanted you to be happy.
I know. But that doesn't matter. I made a decision that night.
A decision?
I will not see Kiyoshi. Ever again.
- What do you want to eat? - It's irrelevant.
- You fancy some sushi? - Yes.
- The teacher is going to quit school? - That's what they say.
Kids. It hurts to say goodbye.
But I need to go to Tokyo in order to study drawing.
Guys, girls, be happy with that.
- It's a pity. - How many times have you said it?
I think that's the tenth.
It's the last day that we draw with teacher.
You're right, it's sad.
- That's a pity. - You said it again!
Shall we give him a farewell party?
- A farewell party? - Only with our friends.
- Alright. - Very good.
Did you finish, girls?
You didn't even start?
- Alright, hurry up. - Yes.
It's very tasty!
It's truly exquisite. This food only exists in Hokaido.
Raw saumon and potatoes, what a wonderful farewell!
- When do you leave, professor? - At the end of the month.
I will take the same car as yours, Fumi.
Yes.
Who will cry first when we say goodbye?
Surely you, Sachiko. She's such a crybaby, right Masa?
- Me? - It's possible.
It's late, I have to go.
- Do not leave! - It's very early.
It's too early to leave.
Listen to me all.
It's a farewell party, we need a song.
What can we sing?
Kuroda song?
- No, I don't know that one! - So, the Soran song?
But no, Hamamura.
So, a normal song, like the farewell song.
Good idea!
Let's go, everyone stand up.
One, two, three.
The moment came to say goodbye,
...to say goodbye.
- This postcard is for you. - It's going to be a good souvenir.
"The Lake shore" is my first price.
I'll always keep it, I'll never throw it away.
Me also, I'm not going to throw away your postcard.
The moment came to say goodbye.
- Goodbye. - Goodbye. Take care.
Yes.
- Goodbye! - Goodbye!
- Sis! - You're searching for me?
- Fue disappeared. - Fue?
What happened, Grandma?
- When did Fue disappeared? - Yesterday night.
And you don't know where she is?
Did you searched for her?
Where did you search?
Fue...
Granny...
We will find her. We will, sis and I.
I'm sure that grandma didn't eat anything since yesterday.
What are we doing?
- We'll wait for dad. - Shall she sleep over there?
- Yes. - C'mon, grandma.
I'm going to cook something.
Teacher!
- Where is Fue? - She still didn't come back.
I was worried so I decided to come.
Today, your grandma came to see me.
She told me that Fue didn't return since yesterday night.
How is she going?
She searched for her everywhere until now.
Poor her.
Masa, do you know where she might be?
No... I don't.
Her colleagues from the factory didn't give us any clue.
I also asked the director, Mr. Harada.
I talked with her friends, but noone knows anything.
I see.
- She has a fever? - Yes.
- She was seen by a doctor? - Not yet.
- We should call one. - I'll do it.
- Fue... Fue... - Rest a little, granny.
- Fue! - Grandma.
- Who is he? - It's me, Tazawa.
- Teacher ! - Recover soon, ma'am.
Teacher, give me back Fue.
- Teacher! - Grandma, you should sleep.
Fue! Fue! Fue!
- Hi! - Hi.
- What are you doing here, this early? - It's for grandma.
What is that?
Where did this comme from? You fished it illegaly?
You know what will happen if someone knows?
- I know. - So, why did you do it?
Because grandma wanted it.
I don't think that she wanted illegal food.
Throw it on the river.
It's just a fish, Philip. Noone saw me.
So, if anyone hasn't seen you, does that mean that you did nothing?
I know, Yutaka.
And you know it too.
Give back the river what it owns.
If you're doing things that you mustn't,
...japanese will not stop criticizing the Ainus.
- Thank you for coming. - Be aware.
- Yes. - Take care.
I will accompany him to Sapporo.
Thanks.
- Goodbye everyone. - Hail to teacher Taniguchi!
- Hail to the teacher! - Hail to the teacher!
- Goodbye! - Teacher! Goodbye teacher!
- Teacher! - Goodbye!
- Do you want to come with me? - I must leave.
C'mon, smile a little! Come here for a bit.
I'm worried about grandma.
- Fue still didn't come back? - No.
- And do you know where she is? - No.
That's desmotivating. How's Ma'am Ikante?
- She has a fever and doesn't eat at all. - Oh my.
- Even if I cook something. - She must feel weak.
Yes.
- Is there anyone there? - At granny's home?
- Yes. - Philip is with her.
I will replace him later.
- The light is going to be extinguished. - Do we have candles?
- Yes. - The light is extinguished.
- The night is dark. - It's only 9:00 PM.
I'm happy that you came earlier, papa.
Glad you come, she wants to see you.
They are here, granny.
Granny.
- Granny! - Granny!
- Grandma!Grandma - Grandma!
She died while I was searching for you.
- Granny! - Granny...
What do we do now?
We can't tell anyone until tomorrow morning.
Granny!
- I will sleep here tonight. - I want to stay too.
Sis.
Where could be Fue?
She is irresponsible and egoistic.
You know what, sis?
When granny came to see Tazawa in order for him to accept Fue,
...he said no to her.
But then, he felt guilty and came to apologize.
It was very sudden. Teacher was surprised.
- Surprised? - Well, yes.
He was asked to accept Fue as the wife of Kiyoshi.
Even in dreams, he would never think that could happen.
Even in dreams?
Why not even in dreams?
Why would he not have imagined it even in dreams?
Answer me!
- Why do you ask me? - You don't know?
Because he doesn't regard himself as our equal!
Koji is right.
We are wrong when we compare him to a god.
Deep inside, teacher Tazawa has contempt for us because we are Ainus.
Everything is false.
Let us let granny stare at Kotan.
It's beautiful, right granny? Okay, let's go.
Well.
Thank you all.
Let's go, dad.
There is nothing to do anymore.
Kiyoshi, it's you!
Mommy told me everything.
Kiyoshi, you promised something to Fue?
- Enough, dad. - What are your feelings for her?
- We are just friends. - Are you sure?
Yes, dad, I don't want you to decide my future behind my back.
I want to solve my problems alone.
You should have talked to me.
If ma'am Ikante talked with Fue,
...this would never happen.
- Hatanaka. - What?
- Excuse me? - Was there something?
- A piece of paper. - What was written?
- It's not important. - Was there something written?
- It's nothing. - Show me.
No...
WHEN I GROW UP I WILL BE A TOURIST ATTRACTION.
- I need to talk to you. - Again?
- As much as necessary. - I will be back.
- Did you two fight again? - No.
Mr Janitor. - What is it?
- Can we come in? - Yes.
Enter.
Who wrote this? Who left it there?
It was you, right?
The last time you could flee but not this time.
What are you planning to do?
I want a duel with you.
Duels are out of fashion.
It doesn't matter.
You humiliate us, saying that we are not humans...
...but you are the worst of us.
You got a problem with me?
I hate you also. One of us shall disappear.
Deal?
- Are you affraid? - What did you say?
- You want to run away again? - Never.
Tonight we will fight like men.
- Where? - At the schoolyard.
- At what hour? - 8.00 PM.
- Do not be late. - I will be there.
Don't tell anyone. It's only between me and you.
Don't worry.
I will win over Gon and I will die also.
I will win and die.
- Did you finish? - Yes.
What did you talk about?
Nothing special.
Mr. Janitor. - Yes.
Farewell.
Don't you want to drink a tea?
- What's going on? You don't come in? - No.
There were problems at school?
Not at all! I only came to say hi.
I'm happy.
I have good news.
I received a letter from Tokyo university.
Next year, I will obtain my graduation.
I'm happy, teacher.
So, next year you can teach high school courses?
I don't know it yet.
By contrast, what I know is that
...if you want to really do something you have to struggle.
With patience and effort you will do what you want.
- I know. I'm happy for you. - Thanks.
- Teacher, where is Wakarupa? - In the city, he's selling bears.
You helped him a lot.
Teacher, say to Wakarupa that I can't come tonight.
I will say that to him.
Bye, teacher.
Bye.
- I'm sure that tomorrow will rain. - Why?
Because you sorted your books, and that's rare.
- Papa is late. - True.
I hope that he doesn't get too late.
You were like a mother to me, sis.
You cooked for me and you washed my clothes.
That's right.
That's why you always need to hear what I say.
Where are you going?
- Somewhere. - At this late?
Yes.
- You're probably going to meet papa. - I'll wait.
Yutaka! Were you searching for me?
- Let's go home. - Papa.
Say, son. I bought some Kaki. They are delicious.
- Papa. - What?
- I'm going somewhere. - Okay.
I will not wait until you arrive. Don't be late.
- Yutaka is late. - Yes.
And today, you bought something special...
- Let's eat, Masa. - Not yet, papa.
Alright, we'll wait a bit more.
It's even tastier if we eat it together.
I agree.
I was thinking about telling you...
...something during diner.
What is it?
- Nothing, nevermind. - What's happening, papa?
I didn't say anything,
...but the soldiers at the camp will return to the US.
- I don't have a job anymore. - Oh my...
I was planning to tell you when I got a new job.
But I'm fed up with pretending to work everyday.
I can be unemployed for a while.
Do not worry, Masa.
I wil find another job.
You worked too much, dad.
You should rest a bit.
That's impossible.
You really should rest, dad.
Yutaka is so late.
I'm going to see teacher Nakanishi.
You're fleeing?
Did he leave at 7.00 PM?
Yes.
That's strange.
He was there at 4.30 PM.
And he told me that today he couldn't carve bear statues.
- Who is his best friend? - Did you talk with Okano?
- I'm going to see him, thanks. - Wait, Masa.
I'll go with you.
He was a bit strange when he came to see me.
I didn't know what happen because I had to give a class...
...and I was at the classroom very early.
And what do you know?
- What did happen? Say it. - Tell me please, Okano.
Someone put a poster on Yukata's back.
A poster? What did it say?
- Tell me, what did it say? - Tell me.
When I grow up I will be a tourist attraction.
Who did that?
- I don't know anything about that. - Are you sure?
What did you talk with him at the lodge?
Someone saw you together.
When was the last time you saw him?
If you don't want to tell me, don't do it.
I'm calling the police.
It's okay for you, Sato?
- Near the school. - School? Primary schoo?
On the schoolyard, maybe?
Yutaka!
- Yutaka! - Yutaka!
He's there!
Yutaka! Yutaka! Yutaka!
- Thank you for everything. - How is he?
He is hurt on the legs and arms, but nothing's broken.
- Are you his father? - Yes.
If he hasn't a fever tonight, he'll get better.
If anything happens, call me.
Papa...
Idiot.
You're an idiot, Yutaka.
Why didn't you tell us anything?
Why did you hide it from us?
Masa, don't bother Yutaka.
My brother, your father and myself...
...know what that is.
And we are not alone.
Many Aïnus get beaten more than once.
And we learn how to support it, crying tears of blood.
Shuting our eyes and resisting.
Professor...
Why shutting our eyes?
Why declare defeat?
- We should punish the offender... - Masa.
Yutaka had a knife with him. What if people know?
Newspapers would talk about it and the police would be called.
There would be problems at school, as if he was guilty.
That's an Aïnu. A wild boy. An inferior creature.
And why should we get used to be bullied and maltreated?
It's not about resigning. We should be patient.
I hate that they humiliate us.
They don't treat us like persons.
Maybe the best thing for Yutaka is to die.
You lived great things. Thirteen years old, that's enough.
You don't deserve to suffer for such a long time.
Papa.
Sister.
Yutaka!
Papa.
- Did you wake up, Yutaka? - Dad...
Yutaka!
It's useless to go see him, he recovered already.
Really? I'm happy.
Do you know someone who needs workers?
- Searching for job? - Yes.
- I'll stop drinking, Yutaka. - But you love to drink, right?
That's why I'm stopping.
You know the legend, Yutaka?
That one?
That one about the chief of Kotan that became a bear.
No...
Long time ago, the people of Kotan lived happily.
They worked a lot and helped eachother with everything.
Nobody caused troubles.
But one day, a bad man came ...
...and he said that he could cause happiness.
It was the demon.
The demon made the villagers drink alcohol.
Everyone succumbed to the temptation and got drunk.
The demon stole their things and caused a war.
The Gods, that were watching created a flood...
...that caused great inundations and destroyed everything.
The village chief, who was repected by everyone,
...had suddenly disappeared.
The Kotan villagers searched for him.
And they found a giant bear, laying dead.
It carried on his head the chief's tiara.
People thought that their chief,
...was punished by turning into a bear.
That was what they thought.
I know who was the demon, papa.
Who?
- It was a japanese, right? - That's not important.
I drank without thinking of the lesson the gods gave that time.
But because what happened to you lately,
...I finally realized it.
- Can I listen to you, teacher? - Sure.
- How's your brother? - Much better.
- I'm happy. - Thanks.
Have you got any news from teacher Taniguchi?
- No, not one. - I wondered how he's going.
He didn't write to you too?
No.
His studies might take all his time.
I wonder how teacher Taniguchi is doing...
I didn't send any letter.
- Hi, papa. - Hi.
- For you, Masa. - Coming.
Do you have good news, papa?
Do you know what happened to me?
I can guess. I'm a psychic.
So, try.
You found a job.
Exactly!
Your face denounces it.
What is this?
That's deer meat. We should celebrate.
It's deer meat, Yutaka.
Great!
You're so silly.
- You start very early? - Yes, I have to go to the mountain.
I will take the bus that goes to the lake.
- At what time you're coming back? - At 4.00 PM I take the bus.
- I will come back after five hours. - That's too much.
I will earn more money than before, and I'll work with my friends.
- Your friends? - Yes.
Long time ago, when I was younger, I worked as a lumberjack.
- Really? - Yes.
Working at the mountain is for true men, Yutaka.
You should observe the tree that you're about to cut.
We do it by turns.
Each one of us cut the log.
When we get to the middle, we cut from the other side.
The tree finaly falls with its own weight...
...and begins to precipitate.
That's interesting!
But now, there's a machine who does that.
- Is it your first day? - Yes.
- Amazing! - I feel better.
- Don't you want to work? - I don't know.
Can you say it?
The swelling is reduced, you'll be cured in no time.
- I can walk, I think. - Don't force yourself.
- Take it. - What's this?
Dorayaki. I bought them at the city.
- Great! - As a token of appreciation for your help.
- But I don't know how to carve! - They sold pretty well.
Yours have always a different form.
The shapeless figures had more sucess than expected.
If you say so...
Wakarupa.
How much would I earn if I carved bears?
I would like to help my father but I would love to keep studying.
If that's impossible, it's okay.
Yutaka.
Carving bears is a temporary work.
If you do that your job, it'll turn bad.
Why?
There is always a sad bounding between Ainus and bears.
If you try to lead a honest life carving bears,
...you'll be forever unlucky.
I am a good example of that.
It's so big!
It's my daughter who made it.
She's that old?
Kids grow up in a way that parents can't realize.
That's true.
Next year, mines are going to high school.
- How old are yours? - Thirteen and Fifteen.
- They are grown-ups. - Well, yes.
One needs to work hard so that they can study.
Exactly.
- Hi. - Here I am.
- Morning. - Welcome.
- Okano brought this, sis. - What's that?
- Lamb meat. - I'm happy! Thanks.
- I must leave, Yutaka. - Already?
- It's been two hours since we start talking. - I'm almost cured.
I will come back to school in three or four days.
- Stay well. - Yes.
- Bye. - Byer.
I have another thing that is not lamb meat.
What is it?
- Wakarupa brought me dorayaki. - Excellent!
I hope that dad comes back early, we have good food today.
Today, I can cook you a delicious diner.
- It's a great day. - Why do you say that?
- I found a job. - A job?
Thanks to Sachiko's father. I'm going to work with a sewing machine.
- But we don't have a sewing machine. - Sachiko will lend me one.
Oh good!
It's very simple, and I will be payed well.
And when I get better at it, I can win 3 000 yens by month.
Thank you two!
- What are you doing? - I have a job also.
Is that true?
I'm going to crave bears with Wakarupa.
- I can be payed 1 000 yen by month. - Serious?
If everything goes as planed we can keep studying.
I'm really happy!
This must be a dream.
- Miss Hatanaka? - It's me.
- What is that? - Professor Taniguchi's letter.
Show me.
Tokyo is a hell of a place where one shall fight in order to survive.
There are many drawing students and they are all very good.
Here, life is very tough.
When I think about Hokkaido, it seems like a paradise.
When I'm sad, I look at that lake....
And then I think about you and recall those two siblings...
...that never gave up.
I bite my lip and I say to myself...
...that I shall fight like the Hatanaka siblings...
That's my news. Say hi to Yutaka for me.
- He's not very well. - So it seems.
Sis! Someone's coming.
- Is this the Hatanaka's? - Yes.
An accident has occurred.
What has hapened?
It's your dad.
A tree fell on him.
On daddy?
Papa!
- He didn't have any chance. - It stambled at the worst momment.
The tree feel right on the place he was.
- He tried to stand-up. - I didn't see it very well.
He tried to jump off but it still catched him.
- Masa. - Yes?
- You should have told me sooner. - It happened yesterday afternoon.
Yesterday afternoon?
You could have sent me a telegram.
I knew it by the afternoon, and there was no train at that hour .
You're treating me like a stranger.
I'm sorry.
We didn't notice the time and sudenly it was 10.00 PM.
You could run away, no?
- That's because i'm hurt. - What are we going to do about you?
- Uncle. - Yes?
How will be the funerary service? We wanted to talk with you.
- Noone knows about it. - It will be in a traditional way.
It's the most simple.
We shall invite family friends.
Do you have any friends?
Our teacher.
Was he close to my brother?
No.
But...
Forget it. The more guests we have, the more expensive will be.
Only four or five people can come.
Papa. This is not like Shiranoi. Masa and Yutaka have their friends...
Masa, start to cook for the people who will come.
It's cold, go buy some sake.
Masa! Bring more saké!
- We're thirsty. - I'm coming.
- Shall we burry him now, dad? - With this weather?
We should warm up first.
- The night is falling. - Let's do it after it turns pitch black.
Really? Alright, we can go now.
- Everything alright? - Yes.
I'm going to help you.
Thank you all, gentlemen. We can leave.
Grandma's funeral was better.
Her friends were present.
Excuse us, dad.
We shouldn't have warned uncle. He wouldn't have done this.
Papa sure is sad.
But,
...today he will meet mother again.
And they can have a nice chat.
Everything happened too quickly.
Mommy would be surprised.
Nobody could expect this!
After I diner, I will meet teacher Nakanishi.
- Tell Okano as well. - I will tell teacher Tazawa.
- And Sachiko. - Don't go alone, I can walk.
Draw me a map. I will tell some people.
Where are you going this late? You will do it tomorrow.
Thank you for your help, but...
If you really want to tell the people, go.
But wait until tomorrow. We shall talk then.
Koji and I are going to sleep here tonight.
Tomorrow you'll go to the village with me.
I will take you to someone who is going to take care of you.
Masa will clean and help the store. Yutaka will do the deliveries.
Like that, you can keep studying.
It was not easy to find a deal with those people.
- Uncle, you're going to...? - Let's start by the basics.
It's me who shall take care of you.
In the past, I could do it, but now I don't have the time.
Uncle.
I will work with the sewingmachine and Yutaka will carve bears.
We can earn 4 000 yens by month.
If we work together, we can do it ourselves.
Don't say stupidities.
If we could earn that money with those kind of works,
...nobody would work like we do.
Don't be anrgy, dad.
It's enough to explain them in a comprehensible way.
And what will happen to the house, Uncle?
That's what I wanted to talk about. Maybe you don't know it,
...but this house is not your father's, it's mine.
I payed its construction. It was a deal I made with him.
If she couldn't pay me back, I would get the house.
- But that's too important. - Dad would have told us.
Your dad didn't expect to die so suddenly.
- But... - Yutaka.
- You're calling me a liar? - Do you have the contract?
What are you talking about? There are no papers between brothers.
So, there is no way to prove what you say.
Go to the registry office and you'll see that this house don't belong to
...lyon Hatanaka, but to Kinji Hatanaka.
- I'll go check it. - You don't have any shame!
Papa!
Uncle!
You think that's the way to answer? You're a stupid brat!
Look.
PROPRIETY OWNER KINJI HATANAKA
Is it clear?
It is, my uncle. But I want to ask you something.
- What? - What will you do about the house?
I'm going to sell it.
That's why I brought up the registry of the propriety.
My uncle has died today, dad. It's not worth...
...to solve everything between today and tomorrow.
- What do you know? Shut up! - I can't.
What? You know who's the one who pays your school every month?
- That doesn't have nothing to do... - Koji!
It's not serious, Koji.
We will do what our uncle tells us.
But why...?
You'll do what I tell, Masa. And you, Yutaka?
What are you going to do, Yutaka?
If you had behave from the start, nothing like this would have happen.
You're an idiot.
I'm ashamed of my father.
The more I thought about it, the more I was sad.
I didn't sleep.
Don't worry. I already made my decision.
- I'm truly sorry. - It's nothing, Koji.
I also wanted to say to you that I was reconsidering my ideas.
What are you talking about?
I said to you not to trust a Shamo.
- Do you remember? - Of course.
But there is also those Ainu,
...like my father, that have a heart of stone.
It doesn't matter if you're Ainu or Shamo.
There is all kind of people.
And each one of us fight to survive.
- Yes. - You too, you sall fight.
I'll do it.
When I'm sad, I look at that lake.
And then I think about you and recall those two siblings...
...that never gave up.
I bite my lip and I say to myself...
...that I shall fight like the Hatanaka siblings.
Are you ready, Masa? Don't forget anything.
Where is Koji?
We're off!
The house, where we all lived together and happy,
...good-bye.
River Akiaji,
...where I washed my face...
...and the rice and vegetables,
where I washed my clothes,
...good-bye.
Goodbye to all.
Goodbye.
- Sister. - Say.
- Are you alright? - And you?
I'm alright.
The End Translated by kagetsuhisoka@KG