At that time.
I was seventeen years old.
I would somehow graduate from high school.
then somehow get by in life.
That was what I thought.
Sorry, Tomura!
Can you help me with a guest? I've a staff meeting now.
He'll be at the entranceway soon. Thanks!
Please excuse me.
I could smell the forest.
The smell of the trees swaying in the forest.
This piano is rather old.
It has a very gentle sound.
Good sheeps produce good sound.
Sheeps?
In the past, the mountains and fields were good.
so the sheeps also ate really good grass.
Nowadays, they can't make such good hammers.
This part is made from felt.
This hammer...
hits the steel string, and a sound is born.
The scenery of the sound is now...
more distinct.
For sure, that was the forest.
I can see it.
That scenery.
The sound is coming from that mountain's forest.
I set foot...
in the deep and endless.
distant forest.
The piano is easily influenced by changes in temperature and humidity.
As the steel strings are subject to stress of 20 tons,
periodic maintenance is required.
The work of a piano tuner can be broadly divided into three categories.
First, the adjustment of the mechanical parts called "Regulation".
There are about 6,000 parts in action,
and about 24 regulating points in one key.
All 88 keys have to be properly regulated.
Next, the uniform alignment of tone and sound quality called "Voicing".
Voicing quality depends on the hardness and shape of the hammer felt.
The adjustments have to be done cautiously.
Then, it's "Tuning".
The 'La' note, 49A, is set as reference piteh with a 440Hz tuning fork.
The rest of the 87 keys are then aligned accordingly.
Even if regulation and voicing are done correctly.
everything will come to naught if the tuning is off.
Please give this your full attention.
I graduated from a two-year course at a piano tuning school in Tokyo.
Then I landed a job in an instruments store in my hometown.
Good morning!
Tomura-kun.
Itadori-San, good morning.
You must not rush into it.
Step by step. Step by step.
Kitagawa-San. -Yes?
How should I do it "step by step"?
What?
As a piano tuner, what and how should I do it step by step?
- Excuse me. - I'm sorry.
Why are you asking me?
They both look really busy...
Akino-San! Watanabe-San called to cancel.
What?
His appointment is this morning, and he just canceled it?
Said he couldn't clean up his room in time.
Clean up... Whatever it is, he shouldn't cancel last minute like that.
Don't ask me. Why not ask your seniors?
Akino-San.
As a piano tuner, how...
- Yanagi-kun! - Yes.
You guide him, okay
Yanagi-San.
What is it about "step by step"?
Don't worry. You don't always have to go by the book.
- Here. - I'm sorry.
You just have to walk tall.
Or rather, it's better to walk tall.
Nobody will trust a piano tuner who looks so anxious.
I'm sorry.
Don't apologize.
Walk tall! Okay
Well, tuning technique isn't all that's important for a piano tuner.
Walk tall...
You don't have to write that down!
- Tomura, the muffler. - Okay.
Who was playing this piano?
My daughter. She gave up before she was good at it.
Is there a particular tone you'd like to have?
- Tone? - Yes.
Well...
For example, a bright tone or a relaxed tone.
I see. Then...
can I request for both a bright and relaxed tone?
Certainly. It's most important that the piano is tuned to your liking.
It'll take us about 2-3 hours, so please go about your day as usual.
- Alright. Thank you in advance. - Thank you.
- Thank you in advance. - Sure.
So, I told him that if he liked, he could learn the piano.
But he said "Grandma, it's too difficult. I don't want."
So, nobody has played this piano...
See? It's become brighter, right?
Yes.
I see. It already needs tuning?
That was fast, right? - Indeed.
Tomura.
Yes.
Don't be so happy.
- I'm sorry. - Please excuse him.
Thank you in advance.
I tuned it just 6 months ago.
They must have played really hard.
Yes.
What are you so happy about?
When I see a piano that's been well-played, I feel happy.
- Tomura, the keyboard cover. - Okay.
I'm home.
Oh. Kazu-chan. We are just done.
Please go ahead.
Thank you. I think it's good.
I'm home!
Oh. Yanagi-San
- Hello. - Hello.
Thank god. I made it in time.
- Why don't you play too? - Okay.
Can you make the tone just a little bit brighter?
You probably tuned it so that it doesn't reverberate too much, right
Because of that, I feel that it sounds kinda dark.
- Alright. I'll try adjusting it. - Thank you.
It's difficult.
What is?
Their playing styles are so different.
Naturally their desired tones are different too.
If they each have different requests.
how should a piano tuner respond to that?
It's probably for her older sister.
What?
Perhaps that bright tone wasn't meant for herself.
Making the tone darker isn't the only way
to bring out the sombre kind of playing style.
Sisters are great, isn't it?
How about you? You have a younger brother, right? He doesn't visit?
He's now a university student.
In Sapporo.
I see...
He's outstanding. Unlike his older brother.
Has your family always lived in the mountains?
From my grandmother's time onwards.
My late grandfather went into Forestry.
There's really nothing there.
Nothing at all.
No piano.
No music.
It's connected.
The piano...
is connected to the world.
It's the first time I felt this way.
If I choose this path,
no matter where I am.
can keep my feet on the ground.
It's the first time I thought this way.
So...
I want to attend a piano tuning school.
To leave here...
and go out...
to the world...
What's with you suddenly? The world?
Let's eat!
Looks delicious.
Itadakimasu.
Naoki, let's eat.
Alright.
I want a firm tone.
Oh. that was "Pavane pour une infante defunte".
Emilio Pierotti's arrangement. How was it?
So that was "Pavane" you played just now.
Please! As much as possible, make the tone firmer.
How firm would you like it? For example
That's right.
Maybe like a tug ~
- A tug that lingers? - That's right.
Then, it will like
- Spread out? - Yes, spread out.
I want that tug to spread out...
But the high notes... - Shall I raise them?
Yeah, can you try that? - Sure.
It will take all my effort just to tune the notes alone.
But if they say they want a "firm" tone, what should I do...
For example, a boiled egg.
Eh. boiled egg?
I'm in the soft-boiled faction.
By the way, I like them just moist.
If you eat them with a little salt and olive oil, it's heavenly!
Really...
have never bought olive oil before.
Akino-San. which do you like?
Hard-boiled or soft-boiled...
I like them hard-boiled.
In other words, it boils down to preferences.
It's difficult to understand Yanagi-kun's analogy.
The kind of tone the customer desires depends on his or her taste.
For example...
to match steamed asparagus,
the flowy boiled egg close to that of onsen egg would be best.
Using it as a sauce on the asparagus would be delicious. Right?
see.
But is the customer saying he likes hard-boiled because he has eaten both kinds before?
Or is he saying he likes hard-boiled because he has only ever eaten it hard-boiled?
Differentiating between these is the hard part.
Then, if he says he wants a firm tone or a gentle tone...
we must first confirm what is the standard he's basing it on?
Yes.
What kind of gentleness are they thinking of?
And is it really gentleness that is needed?
Technique is of course important, but first understand their request.
As detailed as possible, find out what kind of tone they desire.
It's best to confirm what they imagine it to be. Don't believe in their words.
No, you have to believe their words.
Are you okay? Is your head all clouded up?
I'll put in effort to study hard.
Effort and studies, huh.
Gentle...
Firmer...
Sorry but can I leave from here today
Sure. I'll bring the bag back to the shop.
Actually. I've got something important to do later.
Is that so?
Aren't you going to ask me what's that important matter?
Oh, I'm sorry.
- What's that important matter? - That's slow!
I'll leave first.
What?
Actually, I'm going to give my girlfriend a ring.
Eh... a ring...
Good luck.
Why are you all nervous?
I'm sorry.
What a weird guy.
You're the piano tuner, right?
-Yes. - The piano is in trouble!
Big trouble!
This...
- It can be fixed, right? - Can it be fixed
Yes.
When the season changes, the weather and humidity changes too.
The joints of the hammer have hardened, that's all.
It will be fine.
I think it's fine now.
Can I try playing?
Of course.
Erm... it feels slightly off.
What?
Could it be because of the dryness?
The pitch here...
seems a little lower than usual.
Indeed, it's a little.
It's a concern, isn't it?
Yes.
Alright. I
Hello.
It's me. I just heard your message--
I'm sorry.
First thing tomorrow morning...
please help with a tuning job.
What?
What's wrong? What?
Now, I'm at the Sakura's looking at their piano, but...
I meddled with it...
and now it's messed up...
Alright.
I'm terribly sorry.
Tomorrow morning. Yanagi will be here.
Sorry for causing unnecessary trouble.
I'm terribly sorry.
Good work.
What's the matter?
Itadori-San...
About piano tuning...
What should I do to become good at it?
Itadori-San, what kind of sound are you striving for?
The sound I strive for?
Tomura-kun, do you know the poet Hara Tamiki?
Hara Tamiki...
He said this.
A style that's bright and quiet, clear and nostalgic.
While seemingly a little indulgent,
a style that severely overflows with the profound.
A style that's beautiful like a dream, but certain like reality.
Hara Tamiki yearned for such a writing style.
I was astounded.
He expressed the very ideal sound that I aspire to achieve.
Sorry. Please say that again.
Just once more, okay?
Okay.
A style that's bright and quiet, clear and nostalgic.
While seemingly a little indulgent,
a style that severely overflows with the profound.
A style that's beautiful like a dream,
but certain like reality.
If you'd like, please try using this.
What?
Please have it.
A gift to celebrate.
To celebrate what?
To celebrate all that's about to begin.
It's okay to celebrate, right?
Thank you very much.
Is nobody going to eat it?
Perhaps we aren't supposed to take it cos it's public property?
What are you talking about?
Look.
These are gooseberries.
- It's delicious when eaten. - Really?
It's still sour now.
- You should have told me earlier! - I'm sorry.
You really know a lot, Tomura.
The names of trees and flowers and such.
They were always around me.
But it's useless knowing all these.
No.
It is important to know such things.
But rather than this,
it's better to have musical knowledge.
Like music pieces or history.
It's more important to know these.
Just like Akino-San.
He used to be a pianist, and his tuning skills are proven.
What am I compared to someone like him.
Akino-San, right.
More importantly, Tomura.
It's about time you do solo rounds.
Yes?
This came in yesterday from a new customer.
I'll Leave it to you.
What?
What you really need new is to be in charge of as many clients as possible.
To face as many pianos as possible.
I'm from Eto Instruments. My name is Tomura.
I'm from Eto Instruments--
I'm from Eto Instruments. My name is Tomura.
Please excuse me.
Thanks for having me.
Well then, I will proceed to check on the piano.
will start working on it now.
It might take quite a while.
Please go about your day as usual.
The previous tuning was...
14 years ago?
It's completed.
Would you like to try playing?
Please.
We're entering a competition.
The winner will get to play in a concert.
It's the regional preliminaries now.
Is that so? A competition?
Yuni didn't tell you about it?
Yuni-San?
She came by the other day. but no, she didn't.
She has always been like this.
Yuni takes things in her stride.
She cares little about the competition.
She probably feels it's okay as long as she enjoys herself.
She plays however she likes, yet her music is really enjoyable.
Even for practices, she only does it when she feels like it.
could never do such a thing.
I'd be practicing all day.
Amazing.
Yuni is amazing.
Kazune-San, I think you are amazing.
I'm not.
It's just that I love practicing.
But when it comes to the real thing, it's Yuni.
No matter how much I practiced
it's always Yuni who received the louder applause.
I think I understand.
I have a younger brother too.
What?
For example. I'm stronger when we played shogi at home.
But when we enter tournaments and stuff. he was always the one who won.
And it's not that I went easy on him during the tournaments.
To leave here...
and go out... to the world...
What's with you suddenly? The world?
Let's eat!
Looks delicious. Itadakimasu.
Tomura-kun.
Yes.
I'm counting on you from now on.
- The Sakuras? - Yes.
Erm...
There's something... just a bit...
A little more...
Yes.
Forceful.
Forceful?
Erm...
The higher notes?
That's right.
I'll try adjusting it.
Thank you.
I'm home!
Welcome back.
- Hello. - Hello.
I'm back at the right time.
- I'm done. - Thank you.
Can I try playing?
Sure.
Thank you. It has a nice tone.
Thank you.
I've to do my homework!
The sound just doesn't linger.
Isn't it because my tuner was changed?
Improvisation. Do you know that?
Spontaneity, right? knew you'd get it, Yanagi-kun.
This kid's an apprentice, right?
Why did you let him tune my piano
Tomura isn't an apprentice.
He is our official piano tuner.
But he's incompetent.
I'm sorry for putting you through all that trouble.
Such things happen all the time. Don't let it get to you.
You weren't wrong at all.
But...
made him feel the difference.
Once he started playing, he knew it's different from the piano he's been playing all this while.
I know that I can only move forward one step at a time.
But...
If only I had mere talent...
If only I had things like miracle ears or miracle fingers.
It made me feel that way.
Hey.
Are you free during our next off day?
What?
I'm sorry.
Excuse me.
This.
Tomura-kun?
Yes.
It's you indeed.
I'm Hamano.
I'm Yanagi's-- I mean, Yanagi-kun's long-time friend.
You're exactly like what I heard from him.
Nice meeting you.
Nice meeting you. Cheers!
Your ring.
A skull. Yay!
Yanagi's drumming is very precise.
Just like a metronome.
Yanagi loves the metronome.
He's my childhood friend.
We've been together for over 20 years.
He might not look it, but he's sensitive.
He's no good even with public telephones.
- Public telephones? - Yes.
Public telephones are yellowish-green so that they stand out, right?
He said he couldn't forgive such colors.
And, the roads too.
- Roads - Yes.
While we were walking, the roads would suddenly seem dirty to him.
The flashy billboards too...
During that time...
he felt grim no matter what he saw.
He was desperately searching for a shelter.
But...
the metronome saved him.
He said that when he heard that sound,
he has found something that could calm him.
He said that even if I'm not by his side, he'll be fine as long as he has that.
And then. Yanagi...
became Yanagi-San.
That's right.
Tomura-San.
Sorry for calling you here so many times.
I'm kinda worried.
No worries. It'll be fine.
I wonder how the competition went.
Well, they'll contact us soon.
He'll be here soon! The German piano genius, Reinhard Gelzer!
But it's held at the other hall.
Oh. the other hall, huh.
Then it's a piano we can't touch.
No. This Reinhard-sama has good judgment.
so guess what, he appointed our Mr. Itadori!
Eh, Itadori-San?
He appointed him? Isn't that awesome
They made a special exception!
That super top-grade piano is a maker-exclusive that can usually only be touched by their own tuners.
What on earth is "super top-grade" anyway
I mean, to have only their own employees tune their own pianos...
Does such a stingy company exist?
Well, not that it matters.
That's not what we are aiming for.
Didn't I just say something cool?
Eh, not really.
Right?
Yanagi-kun.
Yes?
What's your "aim"?
Don't misunderstand.
Concerts and competitions are made for people who play the piano.
What's a piano tuner got to do sticking his nose in?
I'm not going to stick my nose in.
But we should have goals of our own.
"To have a top-grade pianist play the piano that I tune."
Don't all piano tuners have such a wish?
But in reality, only a handful of people are able to do that.
Only the handful of people who are blessed with luck.
think they shouldn't be compared.
The piano that's played for many people in the hall...
and the piano that's played at home.
Which is better or which is more superior
It's not about that at all.
There's a possibility of either one being something irreplaceable to a person.
I'm fine even if I don't become a concert tuner.
I don't aim for it either.
Music isn't a competition.
What an excuse.
As expected of someone who has no confidence in his own skills.
You don't have to say it that way!
Hello. This is Eto Instruments.
Oh, Sakura-san! Thank you as always.
What?
Tomura!
Hey!
Tomura!
The Sakuras...
...can't play the piano anymore? What happened?
don't know much from that phone call alone.
She only said that as her daughter can't play the piano now.
- she wants to cancel tuning sessions for the time being. - It can't be the both of them, right?
Just one of them...
One of them
It's because of the way I tuned the piano.
Only for one person.
only tuned it for Kazune-San...
wanted her to have more confidence.
The resonance...
was more for Kazune-San.
Maybe that interfered with it...
Maybe it's got nothing to do with it...
But I have to apologize.
Apologize for?
For not being able to help...
For betraying...
Don't think so highly of yourself.
You don't have such power.
You don't have the power to affect the pianist like that!
Then, why...
Why did I spend all this while facing the piano?
Why did I become a piano tuner--
Tornura!
Don't touch that piano again.
I'm taking over next time.
If there's a next time.
Big bro.
Grandma collapsed.
They said she won't be able to make it.
Good morning.
Grandma was always sitting on this chair.
I wonder what she was looking at.
There's nothing here but the mountain and forest.
You are right.
You said this before, didn't you?
"It's connected."
The piano is connected to the world.
"I'm going to leave here and go out to the world."
Yeah.
What "world" were you talking about?
Usually people don't say that.
I've never seen it.
The rain is getting bigger. Let's get inside.
What's wrong with you?
You're always so aloof like that.
Leaving everyone around you baffled.
Grandma...
was so proud of you.
That's not true.
Grandma said this, you know.
"I don't know anything about pianos,"
but that boy has loved the forest since he was young.
"If he gets lost he'll surely find his way back, so he'll be fine."
I want to go too.
To see the world you talk about.
I wanted to show it to Grandma.
I'd like more reverberation.
How about this touch?
Lighter.
Let me try.
Good.
Bravo!
Bravo
Hello.
I'm sorry for canceling tuning sessions so suddenly.
No worries.
They said this is a strange illness.
Midway through the competition. I suddenly couldn't play.
They are perfectly fine otherwise.
It's only while playing the piano that my fingers suddenly can't move.
Please don't make such a face.
I'm not that depressed about it.
Well, to be honest. I am depressed.
But I'm fine. I'm slowly making a comeback.
That's why I'm here to inform you.
I'm sorry. Thank-you for making the trip here.
You're welcome.
More importantly. I'm worried about Kazune.
She's extremely dejected that this has happened to me.
Now she doesn't even go near the piano.
Kazuine-San...
Now that I can't play, all the more Kazune has to play my share.
And yet...
This isn't unusual.
It's about time they make a decision.
If they should abandon their talent and leave it as a hobby
or if they should pursue a career in piano.
Hey, Akino-San, why did you give up being a pianist?
Me?
Because I've got good ears.
The music of a top-class pianist versus the music I play...
I knew how different they were, so...
I'd never be able to cross that gutter.
I had a dream of jumping off.
Somehow I was always in a high and dangerous place.
I was trying my best not to fall off.
Then I'd wake up in cold sweat.
It happened over and over again.
At the end, I was the one who jumped off.
That very day, I gave up being a pianist.
It took me 4 years to get there.
4 years!
But...
It's because of that... that a skilled piano tuner was born.
Tomura-kun...
He's become good with words.
- Good work. - Good work.
Tomura, you said before, right?
If only you had more talent miracle ears or fingers.
You said such a thing, Tomura-kun?
I'm sorry.
But this thing called "talent"
might just be that passion of loving something really deeply.
Like the tenacity to stay put no matter what happens.
Or the desire to never leave it.
To persevere and never give up is perhaps "talent" itself.
I'm home.
Welcome back.
Thanks for having me.
Kazune-chan.
- Good work. - Good work.
Good work.
Everyone!
I have an announcement to make.
Very soon, I'll be getting married.
- Married? - Yes.
- Congratulations! - Congratulations!
Congratulations.
In fact after the ceremony, we'll have a party at a restaurant.
We'll be using the piano there.
Tomura, I'm counting on you to tune it.
- What? - Here.
That's nice.
All your seniors here will be listening, alright?
I've got good ears, okay.
If the tone is weird...
It will be a mess, right?
No, I'm not good enough. Surely...
Are you fine with that?
Kazune-chan will be playing the piano, you know.
What?
How is it? Now you want to tune it. right?
I'll do it.
Please let me do it.
Hello.
I'm sorry for causing you worry.
I've started playing the piano.
I want to become a pianist.
That means...
you are aiming to be a pro, right?
I'll aim for it.
It's tough to play the piano for a living, you know.
I'm not intending to play the piano for a living.
I'm going to live to play the piano.
Yuni-chan.
Yanagi-San.
- Congratulations on your marriage. - Thank you.
How's it with the piano?
I don't want to give up the piano after all.
I want to become a piano tuner.
You want to?
They are alone.
I feel that anyone who plays the piano understands this.
That once you start playing, you are alone.
That's why...
I will give my full support to that one person.
This has become my dream.
You have my support.
- Thank you in advance. - Sure.
- Bring the programs over from the front desk. - Alright.
Is there something wrong?
The sound seemed to have changed...
It suddenly couldn't sing anymore.
What's wrong?
Yeah.
Coming through with the flowers.
Shall we place the nameplates now?
Please play it once more.
- Additional glasses here, okay? - Got it.
I'm sorry. I'll fix the sound.
But there's not much time...
Please leave it to me. I'll definitely make it right.
I'm counting on you.
Okay.
Tomura-San!
I'll be here. Please bring it over.
Please send the sound flying over.
Thank you.
Send the sound flying.
A style that's bright and quiet, clear and nostalgic.
While seemingly a little indulgent,
a style that severely overflows with the profound.
A style that's beautiful like a dream, but certain like reality.
Yanagi-san!
Yanagi-San! Congratulations!
- Congratulations! - Thank you!
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Oh, thank you!
Wow, the petals!
Thank you for conning.
- Congratulations. - Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Congratulations!
Tomura, thank you.
Sure
The piano sounds good, doesn't it?
This is the first time he complimented me.
Kazune-chan is really good, isn't she?
She's celebrating.
Saying "congratulations".
That's how it sounds, right?
That's how it sounds-, right?
The music has to properly reach everyone.
The width of the room...
The height of the ceiling...
The seats in front and those at the back...
The center of the room and the exits...
The movement of people within the room...
How the music will resonate...
All of that has to be considered for the music to reach everyone.
Itadori-San.
I aim to be a concert tuner.
Make sure you check whether the dampers are lowered at the same time or not.
Okay.
You will be fine.
Tomura-kun, you lived in the mountains and were raised by the forest after all.
The hammers hit the strings.
and notes are produced one after another.
If the piano is & miracle that gathers all beautiful things in the world...
and turning them into music.
then I will walk this forest.
No matter where it takes me.