MY SONS
Thank you very much
How many persons?
Please wait a moment
Fish done?
The smelts?
Not yet!
Yeah, smelts
Square plates!
Damn country accents!
Ali... square plates
No, no
I meant these...
Learn Japanese to work here
Let the damn government handle it
Another hot day
Ali...
I may quit
Why?
I don't like it
Your pay... how much?
700 yen an hour
They cheated you
Better go home
Home?
Where you from?
Bangladesh
Bangladesh?
Bye
Phone your dad back home once in a while
Bye Bye
Hello?
It's me
So it's you...Pa?
Why so early?
Tetsuo...
Your mom's first death anniversary
It's today?
You forgot?
No, no, I remember
We'll start at one. You'll come home?
Home? Must I?
Of course!
Tadashi and Toshiko have come here with their families
Come home, or our kin will complain see?
If you don't have money...
I'll give you some... So, come
Get ready now and ride a ''Bullet'' train
Right now ? I can't do that
Pa? Pa!
Iwate Prefercture, huh?
Part 1 - Mother's First Death Anniversary
Hey!... Are you Asano's kid?
They're already at the temple... ass!
You deaf, huh? Ass!
Damn fool!
Hey, courier guy! Hey!
It's Tetsuo
Look at yourself!
Don't you have a white shirt?
It's in my bag
Put it on
You can change later
Toshiko...
No baby yet?
I want one, but...
Try harder, huh?
Some uncle!
At a time like this!
She sassed me!
Yuko!
Brother...
Tadashi!
This one?
No
This one either?
But it's nice
Will you come?
What?
Look
Mom as a bride
Let me see
Hey, right!
She's riding a horse
Old, traditional wedding style
Yeah, but it looks nice
Who's this?
Pa
Father?
He looks young
When he was in Tokyo
I recognize him
In Tokyo, too
I can tell. It's Pa, okay
Show me
That reminds me
I have something for Toru
Whiskey from Hawaii
Don't bother
Tetsuo!
Where is it?
He's a scatterbrain
What?
I want to play with Uncle!
Go to bed. Say good night to everyone
Tadashi...
Why don't we talk about your father's future?
Right. We can't leave him alone here forever
But he's still young
Still, anything can happen when he lives alone
Yeah, like that awful fire
What happened?
A father...
His kids had moved to Tokyo
His wife croaked on him - he was alone
He left the propane gas on - his house burned
Poor man!
He was almost the same age as your pa
What do you think?
Will you live with him in the future?
I figured
So I bought an apartment in Chiba
You did? Was it steep?
Thirty years on time
That's not bad
But... it's on the 1 1th floor
Eleventh?
My children will be happ y to live with him
But...
Even on the 1 1th, you can't see any mountains
All you can see is filthy concrete boxes
And that way, the slick water of Tokyo Bay
Why not a house with a garden?
I think he needs soil after all
Try harder
That's ridiculous!
How can a wage earner like me... afford a house like that?
With a garden, in Tokyo?
Stupid !
Your notes
Lousy marks!
This is Tadashi's
Your mom kept everything so neatly
Toshiko, take this home
How come you're all so mum?
Your great kids were gabbing about you
What about me?
We can't leave you in this desolate place forever
What's desolate about it?
I can see mountains... hear the bubbling stream...
I work my fields. I live free as a bird
I know , Brother. But someday you won't be able to move
I can shift for myself. Don't fret, huh?
But...
Lay off that talk!
He's right
He's still young. No need for that talk
Brother, shall I get you a new wife?
A young one
Ass! On my wife's death anniversary!
As the second son, you're real free
Tetsuo's here, too?
I sure am
Why don't you come home...
get hitched and live with him?
That's best, huh?
Get hitched?
When he hasn't even got a steady job?
Changed work again?
Aren't you working at the place Tadashi recommended?
I quit
It was too hard
Say so sooner
I meant to, but...
Think about my position, huh?
Walking out...what's on your mind?
Sorry to cause trouble
I won't help him again!
Tadashi... Lay it off, huh?
Mamoru...
Hey, it's late
We'll go, too
Sorry for this
I'll do it
You needn't bother
We're leaving now
Stay longer
Why?
If we all go at once...
we'll feel sorry for Pa
I'll see to him
Hey, that's ''Candies''! It's been so long
We'd gone to their concerts
At the town hall
We were high on the joys of youth
Well, keep living
Visit us in Tokyo, see?
Got the beans?
Let's go
Pa... we're going now
You are?
To make it to Tokyo before dark
Come when it turns cool
Tokyo's changed since you were there
Thanks for coming
Thanks
So
Say goodbye
Goodbye
See you
Let's go home
Uncle, you're coming too
Come with us
No, I can't go home
Why, why?
He's busy
Don't stick your head out. Your hands, either
See you again
Quit that!
It's Pa
Take care!
Come see us!
Yuko, Yasuko...
Say bye-bye
What's wrong?
I was wrong to marry the eldest
Tetsuo...
When will you leave?
Sis told me...
to stay on a while and take care of you
What do you do now ?
Working in a drinking joint
I pump beer and cook chicken
Pay's good, but the human relations are lousy
Plenty of job chances. Someday I'll hit it right
Let me do it
With a job, it doesn't matter whether...
you like it or not
What's important is to stand it and learn, right?
Again!
You want me to farm 'cause I'm a dunce?
Dunces can't do farming
Are you so stupid that you can't see...
yet how hard it is to farm land?
How come Tadashi didn't become a farmer?
What?
Farming doesn't pay, does it?
Even if you slave every day...
tobacco won't bring even 1 .5 million yen a year
In Tokyo just being a waiter pays...
800 yen an hour
It's today's economic system in Japan
You preaching to me?
Your face sickens me
Go back to Tokyo and get rich or do anything
Damn fool!
You think I'm an ass?
You don't like me?
You look at me like you want to ask...
what the hell I came for!
You like Tadashi better!
You even flatter him
Are college graduates so great?
You don't know how hard it is on him
He's a timid, country man
A big company doesn't suit him
I wish he were a teacher here
Anyhow , it's too late to gripe, see?
You're shiftless. And...
my wife died on me
Life is unfair, right?
Have you eaten?
No
I brought some grub
Thank you kindly
With them gone, you're lonely
Part 2 - Son in Love
It's so hot again!
JOHOKU STEEL RODS
Good morning
You'll have a new man on your team from today
Experienced?
A part-timer
He'll just be in the way
Why don't you guys train him?
A foreigner?
Not quite. He's from Iwate Prefecture
Guys from the boondocks... They usually don't last long
Sometimes they do
Mr. Asano... come in
You'll work with them
Safety shoes and work clothes?
A student?
No
Why pick this joint?
I saw your newspaper ad
You won't be serving hamburgers or spaghetti
It'll be heavy stuff... steel. you know ?
I want to work hard. I want to sweat
Your work clothes Shoes - what size? 26?
Must I wear them?... Won't sneakers do?
Hell, no! It's our rule to wear safety shoes
This work is riskier than you may think
Look at his foot. He lost his toes
Try on the pants
Temporary workers aren't fully insured
So you protect yourself, see?
Hey, Ueno: three
One 22mm rod
Ready?
You ready?
Yes!
Louder!
You sure?
Stop the shaking
Watch your step! Put those wires away!
Keep back! Just watch for a few days
This weighs a ton
Excuse me
The Oji stuff's been postponed
Just like that? Who decided it?
We do as the customers say
Hell! It says 10mm
Hey!
Grab that end !
Carry them like this Careful to keep your balance
Three 1 2mm rods for Tanabe
He's improved
Better than we thought
Taki!
He'll be on your truck starting this afternoon
It's delivery
Read the slips carefully
Please train me
A regular?
Paid per month?
No, I'm a part-timer
This work's harder than I thought
I don't think I'll last
I envy young guys
You can choose jobs
You get paid well
You play with chicks
For guys over fifty, it's being a night watchmen
Some life, huh?
What a jam! I hate it
Lousy surfers!
Damn his goddam board !
We're hauling steel rods, punks!
Go to the beach on a train!
What the hell are Sundays for? Damn punks!
SAKURA FACTORY
Two bundles of 5 mm rods?
In there?
If you know , don't ask
Everyone's crazy
Sorry... where shall I put these?
I See! Thanks
Thanks
What a heap!
This heat, yet the truck's got no air-conditioner
At my dump...
Ma keeps nagging me to buy an air-conditioner
The old witch!
All she does is loaf
All she knows is how to bitch to her son
What a life!
Piss on your resorts!
As a kid... I swam in a river wearing only a loincloth
I miss those days! I mean it
I feel great!
With beer, the first gulp is the best
Goodbye, then
He'll come tomorrow ?
No way. He's fed up
He'll come
He won't
Dear Pa, how are you?
I'm sorry to make you fret. I got a new job
A good, steady job, about steel
It's hard and risky, but I'll try to test myself
Please take care of yourself. Tetsuo
How crowded ! W hat's going on?
It's politics
Big outfits take the money
But drivers like us do all the work
Their goddam gate!
Piss on it!
Hello!
Well...
Anything goes
Look...
Aren't you lonely staying here alone?
Aren't you lonely...staying here alone?
I see. You like quiet places, huh?
Bye
Listen...
Will you tell me your name?
Sorry to bother you when you're working
Maybe some other time. Sorry
Hard, isn't it?
Here you are
Kato...Misawa...Carrot Top...
Asano...
Your chops, please
Asano
The boss wants you to quit being a...
part-timer and sign on as a temporary employee
That way you'll get health and injury insurance
How about it, huh?
Sure, why not?
Swell
I'll fix up the papers
What do you see here?
Well...
I carry heavy loads and sweat a lot
Then I wash off the sweat in a bath
And I think, ''I worked today again!''
Funny guy!
Is that so?
Well, temporary employee, how about we get some beer?
How is it?
It's full
It's okay
Good !
Beer. Make it fast
Snap it up!
Here you are
Hotchpotch too
Pepper. Your nose'd bleed
Asano
Work hard
Then you'll be promoted to an executive
I will
Right! Let's toast!
With beer, the first gulp's the best
You say that every time you drink
No, I don't
You sure do
For 20 years
Like hell I do
It's true
Whenever we meet, I wish I could speak to you
But I can't talk well
And have a country accent
I'm afraid you'd laugh. I can't speak to you
So I write instead
Please!
I feel so painful
Will you meet me - just once?
I want to talk about myself and learn about you
Please answer me when I next meet you
Goodbye for now . Tetsuo Asano
Going home? Goodbye
What're you doing?
Sorry
Be careful!
I want you to read my letter
I'm serious
I wrote how I really feel. Please read it
Why?
Why don't you say something?
If you hate me, fine. Just tell me clearly
I can't stand your keeping silent
Answer me when we meet the next time
Goodbye
Hey, the boss himself!
Asahi Transport. Thanks for your patronage
You came yourself?
It's real tough
Taki...?
His truck was hit from behind
Whiplash injury
He all right?
A week's rest is enough
But we don't have anyone to take his place
It's a problem
Yeah, I suppose
The rain stopped
Let's do it
Is that so? You're from Iwate?
I'm from Akita
I haven't been home lately
Frankly, I don't feel like going home
When I was a kid I used to hunt and fish there
But it's changed now
Into a golf course
A golf course! Damn golf!
How stupid !
Japan gets rich, but its natural features disappear
What's gonna happen next?
To me, every day's alike:
I finish work, then drink and go to bed
Yeah, life's sure hard
Tough job, huh? Need any help?
No. You just rest
Thanks. I guess I will
Hello!
Thanks
It's so hot in here!
The slip?
Here, right?
She took today off
Wait
You gave her a letter the other day didn't you?
Look... I'm sorry but...
Miss Kawashima has ear trouble. She can't talk
See? She's a deaf-mute, right?
She can't hear or talk
I may be just a busybody
But I feel sorry for her, so...
What's wrong... being a deaf-mute?
So what?
So what?!
Excuse me. Does Taki live here?
I'm from Johoku Rods. I work with him
Over there
Money from all of us They said to bring it
Thanks
Is it okay to drink?
Damn! When I already feel rotten...
It keeps raining. Damn it!
There's a pretty girl at the Sakura factory
Did you happen to know she's a deaf-mute?
Did you fall for her?
I wondered when you'd get wise
Poor kid ! When she's so pretty...
She can't talk. It's a pity
What's wrong with it?!
Who the hell do you think you are saying that?
What's wrong with being a deaf-mute?
So what? What about it?
I was neither surprised nor shocked to know !
What's wrong with it?
Really. What's wrong with it?
Part 3 - Father comes to Tokyo
Toshiko
A towel
No need to take a towel with you
Health insurance certificate...
Good morning
You're here, Toshiko?
Please tell him to eat this in the train
Thank you
What's wrong? You look mad
I came all the way for Pa
But he only said not to go out...
when I'm gonna have a baby he'd go by bus
The way he talked !
I had to get up early to come all the way here
He's been like that ever since
How many times did he make your ma cry?
Father, what are you looking for?
Reunion meeting notice
You put it in your bag
No, I didn't
Yes, you did
See? It's here
Right!
He's getting senile
Taking him to the station?
Reiko will come for him in Tokyo
How nice!
You have good children
So, let's go, Pa
Put on your coat
I turned off the gas and water
What a cold house this is!
Please see to his house
For about a week
Have him stay at Tadashi's place till spring
Your pa looks so lonely that it makes me sad, too
Got leather shoes?
No
Why not? You aren't going to Tokyo to work
If you go like that, Reiko will blame me
Pa...
Got your nitro medicine?
Sure. It's in my pocket
Keep it with you whatever happens
Have it near you when taking a bath or going to bed
And the pills and powder
Take them three times a day. Don't forget
Stop it!
You're getting like your ma
I'm worried about you!
Pa...
Tadashi will say something important
Don't get mad, just listen, okay?
Yeah
He's your eldest son and worries about you the most
So, please
That much I know !
My best to Reiko
I'm glad you came...with that belly
Thank you
Take care of yourself!
Now go
Have a nice trip!
A call from your wife
Excuse me
Tadashi? It's me
Sorry to disturb you. I'm at the station
Toshiko phoned. She said Pa'll get here at 3: 15
So I came for him
Why so early? I told him to get here at 6 or 7
Hey, can't you come here earlier?
He'll be bored eating dinner with only me
Just feed him some sake
I'll be home as soon as I can
Bye
Yoshida...
When I came to Tokyo to work, Reiko...
All this place was the sea
You worked here?
Yeah, I worked building a bridge over the Edo River
It took two years
It sure was tough work!
Father, now you can see it. That's our apartment
That one?
Use these slippers
Grandpa's here. Say hello to him
You've grown big
Put down your bag
Thanks for these
It's nothing much
I'll go shopping
Please don't bother about me
I'll eat whatever you eat
You'd rather have sake than beer, huh?
Any special kind?
Any kind will do... so long as it's wet
Really?
You can watch TV Know how to turn it on?
Just push this
Say, ''see you later''
We'll be back soon
Did your father-in-law come?
Will he stay?
I don't know
It's hard on you. Goodbye
Why is it ''hard''?
Never mind
Mother's 1st Death Anniversary
I wonder if Tetsuo's well
It was so hot last summer
We all sweat at my wife's service
We sure did
Show him the one we took at the beach, huh?
Tadashi took a vacation in August
We went to the beach
The road was jammed
The kids were already worn out when we got there
Oh, no!
I'm embarrassed
You still up? Why not go to sleep?
Listen...is Grandpa a foreigner?
Why?
I don't get him at all
Silly! He's Papa's father
He farts loudly
You fart, too, don't you?
Now , go to sleep
I'm sleep y, too
I'm stuffed !
So late. Is it usual?
Earlier than usual
How are you?
I feel great
Sorry to have worried you
Aunty told me off on the phone, saying,
''I'm glad my man found it
''If he hadn't, your pa might have died''
Yeah, I shouldn't have carried tobacco leaves
I won't be doing it again
I see the doctor regularly
Look, Pa...
What's your plan?
You can't make it alone anymore, right?
Whatever you say, only I can manage that house
I'll die there So bury me beside my wife
How can we do that?!
Your body's like a bomb. You can blow up anytime
If you do, it'll seem like we deserted you
What do you want me to do?
Toshiko meant to take care of you
Her husband's a nice man
But she's going to have a baby now
After all...
you can't help but live here with us
Know the room next to the entrance?
It's small, but you'll have to use it
We'll manage
We were talking about that
What do you think, Pa?
What about the house in Iwate?
We'll have to close it
The neighbor women will take care of it
That's how farmers are
They leave home for the city
It's the world trend
Where to?
I'll turn in
I'm not finished
He's bushed
Never mind
Pa!
This time I came to see your new place
Not to hear hogwash
We seldom meet, that's why
It took a long time...
for us to reach this conclusion
Do you know that?
Please! Don't yell
All right! As you wish!
Pa...
Aren't you cold?
It's windy
You all right?
An electric blanket
It's like the one we gave you last year
Thanks
Tomorrow you should leave around noon, all right?
Good night
I'll turn off the light
It's impossible after all
He's big. How can he stay in that cubicle?
He can't sit in this room all day, either
What are you saying?
We knew it from the start
I wish we had a garden
Remember that big house that I ...
tried to buy for Pa?
Too far to commute
So what? We'll take it
I objected for your health's sake
Enough! No more of that talk
He'll hear us!
Pa!
You're here? I'm going to work
A reunion meeting tonight? Tomorrow ...?
I'll go to Tetsuo's place...
to see how he's living
Tetsuo?
You can't stay with him
Is that so?
Anyway call Reiko. I must go
Does he always go so early?
He comes home at 10 or 1 1
I feel sorry for him
Breakfast is ready
Over there
Thanks
Asano!
You came!
Thanks fo the letter. I came to see you
I'm glad you could come all the way
Thanks for the condolence money
So we're both widowers, huh?
Hey, do you know him?
If it isn't Corporal Fujita!
He hit you often, right?
I'm sorry for those days
It's you! You're still alive
I'm afraid so
Really, I'm sorry for those days
When you hit me, it sure hurt
I'm really sorry. I apologize
Blame the war
Right?
Yes!
Yangon Infantry Comrades Reunion
Corporal! Corporal Fujita!
Sing ! Sing !
It's so wonderful. It's so great!
I'm drinking with you after such a long time!
Give me another!
I'm surprised you're so active
I sure am. My life's only starting
I'll live till I'm 90 or 100
Your kids would hate you then
They already do!
Something happen?
I bore it a long time
But last fall my patience finally ran out
''I'll be independent!''
I said it, and I left my son's house
Where do you live now ?
Didn't I write you?
''Village of Grace,'' an old people's home
It's on a hill by Lake Biwa
''Village of Grace''? Sounds nice
Nice? Far from it!
Hag Onodera takes away my pension
She says to see her,
and she'll pay me what I want. So she says!
''Hag Onodera''? Who's she?
The accounting clerk
''Too much cash is bad for old men''
To hell with that hag !
The money's mine, right?
The home has no right to steal it!
We jeopardized our lives for the country
Hey, Asano... Hey!
That's right
We did !
Ridiculous!
That war song !
Yeah, let's sing it!
Sing it loud, men!
''How grand and magnificent our transport ships are!
''Farewell, our mother country! Glory to Japan!''
You all right?
Yeah, sure
We should've called a taxi
A waste of money. I'm okay. Let's go
I'm glad I picked this color
A gift from me
Thanks, but it's too good for me
You look young. The color suits you
The gifts for Toshiko and our aunts...
I'll send one to each of them separately later
Thanks for your trouble
I phoned Tadashi
He said, if Tetsuo's apartment...
is too small for you to stay you can come back
Thanks
Mamma, I'll go play
Will you go home tomorrow ?
Yes
We thought you'd stay for a week or so
I appreciate that
But I like the Iwate house best after all
Don't fret. I'm being selfish, that's all
Reiko...how 's your ma doing, huh?
Fine, thanks. She's still running her shop
Someday she'll get old
I suppose so
Then it's better you live with her
Her grandchildren will like it, too
Why are you talking like that? We meant --
Don't fret about me
Tadashi and Toshiko do because...
anything can happen when I live alone
But...
Reiko...
I don't mind dying alone
I've lived long enough
Even if I'm not found for a few days after
I die, I don't care
Please don't say that
Tadashi would be very sad to hear
Do you think so?
Naturally
He's a bore and has no tact
Being honest is his only merit
Reiko...
please be good to him
I should be asking you that
You're here?
There's a guest at your place
A guest?
He has an Iwate accent. Maybe your old man
Hey, when did you get to town?
Two days ago
What for?
A comrade reunion at Atami
Oh, that?
What did you do?
Sing war songs with gray-haired old buddies?
What do you do now ?
Didn't I write to you?
I work for a metal company
You still there?
You never once phoned me
I was so worried I postponed going home...
and I came to see you
Do you want to keep worrying me forever?
Who asked you to worry?
I'm going my way
It was the biggest mistake of my life...
to let you go to Tokyo
What's wrong? You tired?
You made my blood pressure go up
I'll warm you
You haven't eaten yet, have you?
I'll bring you some sushi. From Seiko
Will you stay the night?
Here?
Let's try a Tokyo public bath
A bath, huh?
Dad is here. I want to introduce him to you
It'll refresh you
Hey, I feel great!
I like public baths
Remember your old days here?
I worked like a horse
I did it for you guys
How come you buy so much?
For tonight
How can I eat the grub you cook?
I can pay. I'll treat you to a nice dinner
I'm expecting a friend
Yeah? You can bring him along, too
We made a date
Can't be helped then
Pay from this
About my friend, Pa...Pa!
You from Iwate?
Yeah
Where?
I'm from Takada
And you?
From Karumai
Hey, what a coincidence!
I worked here for 20 years
I've been working here for 25
Hard workers
Just like you, huh?
It's okay
You're dressed up
To see Pa?
He's tired and asleep
Come in
Pa looks like this
Bring flowers?
Is this the sushi?
Cake too? You spent a lot
We'll have oden and these this evening
Where's the mustard?
I haven't told him yet
It's all right
Take it easy
Don't worry
Make it smaller? I can't
You're a poor cook, too
He's awake
Her name's Seiko
What kind of a friend is she to you?
You saw , didn't you?
Seiko can't hear
Talk with your mouth wide open
Well...
I'm...
Tetsuo's old man
Thanks for being nice to him
''I'm Seiko. How do you do
''Tetsuo told me about you
''I'm glad to meet you''
Pa...
we'll...
get together
We'll get married
I can't live without her
And she needs me, too
Even if you and Tadashi object I don't care
Whatever you say, I'll marry her
I'll never change my mind
I understand you perfectly
It's my turn to talk...
with my mouth wide open
The Tokyo accent
I know !
Your name's Seiko?
Do you understand me?
My son told me just now
Will you really marry him?
Will you...really...marry...my son?
You will?
Is that so?
Such a pretty girl as her...
Thank you
Relieved?
Really?
Pa trusts me
I was trying hard? Really?
Did I look nice when I was serious?
Don't tease me
Here's enough?
Pa's waiting for me?
I see
You're...
lovely
Take care
Watch out!
What? I don't look like Pa at all?
Of course not. I don't look as rustic as him
Much better looking?
You mean Pa is?
Shucks!
Careful!
Can't you sleep, Pa?
If you betray that girl, I'll have to commit..
harakiri in front of her folks
I know
Do you really intend to marry her? You sure?
How persistent! Don't rile me!
I told you I'm serious Don t you trust me?
I'm glad to hear that
When shall we meet her folks?
I'll talk it over with her and see
You'd better set it up quick
What's up?
We'll take her to Iwate to announce the wedding
So I can't leave that house closed very long
I know !
When I get new grandchildren I must take care of them
My gosh!
You never quit causing me trouble!
You never quit talking
Why not turn in? Huh, Pa?
I'll turn in
Good
Tetsuo... one more beer
You gonna sit up all night?
The last can. I have work to do
Tasty!
At this hour!
Hey...
No more gab
I'll sing
Ever hear me sing?
Pa...
''A pine tree showing beyond a dark fence...
''A chic woman, her hair just shampooed...
''She's Otomi, she was supposed to have died
''Even Buddha wouldn't have known she's alive
''How strange Fate can be! Otomi's alive!
''She's alive and lives in that house!''
You back?
Met your sons?
Yeah
Lucky guy!
Yeah... I'm lucky
Hey, I'm back now
Well!
Tadashi...
Why didn't you tell me?
I could've met you
Are the kids well?
Toshiko, come here
Give me that doll
For you
My gosh! You've got so big !
It hurts!
Is this for me?
Thanks, Pa
For me?
They're so naughty
You were cold, huh?
''She's Otomi, she was supposed to have died
''Even Buddha wouldn't have known she's alive
''How strange Fate can be! Otomi's alive!
''She's alive and lives in that house!''