All language subtitles for Alone.Across.the.Pacific.1963.JAPANESE.1080p

Winning nominee for the
Geijutsu Sai (Arts Prize), 1963

Produced by Nikkatsu Ltd
and Ishihara Promotions

Nikkatsu Productions Ltd

ALONE ACROSS THE PACIFIC

Produced by NAKAI Akira
Based on the book by HORIE Kenichi

Screenplay by WADA Natto

Cinematography by
YAMAZAKI Yoshihiro

Art direction by MATSUYAMA So
Editing by TSUJII Masanori

Original music by AKUTAGAWA Yasushi
and TAKEMITSU Toru

Cast

Horie Kenichi - ISHIHARA Yujiro

Kenichi's sister - ASAOKA Ruriko
Master of shipyard - OSAKA Shiro

Kenichi's senior - HANA Hajime
Carpenter - ASHIYA Gannosuke

Kenichi's mother - TANAKA Kinuyo
Kenichi's father - MORI Masayuki

Directed by ICHIKAWA Kon

Lights!

MAY 12TH 1962
NISHINOMIYA HARBOUR

Under Japanese law, no small craft
was allowed to leave the country.

The only way to do it...

...was in secret.

Hey, you're really going,
no matter what?

Forgive me.

Let's go.

– Not a word to anyone about this.
– You don't need to tell me that.

I don't want to make
any trouble for you two.

Give it a week, then if anyone asks,
just say I've gone.

Now I was totally alone.

I wasn't afraid... I felt good.

For five years, I'd been dreaming
of this and now I was setting off.

My greatest fear was being caught
in Japanese waters and forced back.

Those two had probably gone home.

All I wanted was to put Japan
behind me, yet there was no wind!

10:00pm. At last I had left
Nishinomiya Harbour.

1 hour 20 minutes to get
to the breakwater. Just 500 metres!

Slower than swimming!

Dawn arrived and still not
the slightest breath of wind.

I was still in sight
of the Nishinomiya lighthouse,

and it was really starting
to get on my nerves.

Hey, is that yacht down there
the same one we saw this morning?

What the hell's he doing?

Just bobbing along in the same place
all day. He's in no hurry.

Yachts run on the wind,

so what's the point
of fitting engines to them?

I built my yacht so that
it couldn't take an engine.

Divine retribution for being so awkward.

As long as there was no wind,
there was absolutely nothing I could do.

Even by nightfall, I was still
in the middle of Osaka Bay.

I hadn't fitted any lights,

so I hung a lantern to warn any other
boats that might collide with me.

But I was scared of getting caught,

so I was constantly hiding it
every time a boat drew near!

What a palaver!

I'd been manning the rudder 24 hours
and was exhausted and frozen.

My feet were wet in the long boots,
but I just slept in the clothes I stood in.

I left the lantern burning.

As long as the authorities
didn't find my food supplies,

they wouldn't suspect anything.

I'm drifting eastwards.

11:00?

Right, then.

I'll catch up on my sleep.

Wind!

A northerly wind.

Let's go!

Thank you! Thank you!

I'd counted on reaching

the southern straits
of Tomoga Island within 10 hours.

Now I was seeing them,
39 hours into my voyage!

...a south-southeasterly wind.
Wind velocity: 6.

Rain. 1002 millibars.
Temperature: 21 degrees.

For Tori Island...

Rain. 1000 millibars. 24 degrees.

At Hachijo Island,
a south-easterly wind...

...1003 millibars. 28 degrees...

I was right, it's safer having no light.

Too many patrol boats in these waters.
Thank goodness for the storm!

But really I was praying that somebody
would come and rescue me!

Listen, I'm not telling you your business
because you're the expert,

but this keel seems a little shaky.

Why don't you just wait
until I've finished it?

– It's a bit loose.
– Any complaints, speak to the guv'nor.

The Kingfisher hull is small
but it's superbly designed.

These are the blueprints I bought
in Yokohama for 10,000 yen.

It's no good if you don't follow
the blueprints!

I am following
the blueprints to the letter.

I've never heard of lauan-wood masts.

I promised you a hull for 200,000 yen,
so a lauan-wood mast will have to do.

You're the one who came up
with the figure of 200,000 yen!

I can't give you a penny more
so please be fair with me.

You're always chopping and changing.

If you don't trust us,
come in every day and supervise it.

I will, then!

Just look...
it's seeping in from all directions.

Is there a single join that's safe?

Hey, look...
there are gaps everywhere.

Every day I have to put up with this...
Enough!

If you're only using 9-mm thick veneer,
you've got to make sure it's a tight fit.

Boats absorb water when they're afloat.

Wood expands when it's in water.

I don't relish having to bail out
bilge water from the ship's hull.

In a rocking boat, puking my guts up...

Give me some room,
I can't do my work.

If a yacht takes on too much water,
then it'll sink, simple as that.

I guarantee the boat'll be fine
in the Seto Inland Sea.

As long as you bail out water
faster than it comes in,

the boat won't sink.

Nine days into my voyage now.

Seems I've been drifting aimlessly
in the seas around Shizuoka.

I'm halfway through my schedule
already.

I allowed for being delayed
near the Japanese coast,

but this was too much!

It rained almost non-stop every day,
and pressure dropped in stormy seas.

What's the rest of the voyage
going to be like?

Serves you right,
leaving the country without permission!

Think bad thoughts
and you'll be sent back home!

I don't care. Go ahead!

Japan is such a closed country.

I was fully prepared
and confident in my skills,

but you wouldn't let me go.

But the law is the law!

It only allows things which are safe.

But nothing is totally safe.

Even battleships sink.

I started this and I'll see it through!
I'll keep a watchful eye out!

I have to say, right,
that you and me are the same person.

Can I trust you?

Just leave it to me!

Really?

You'll soon leave Japan behind you.

Stop weeping and start singing!

OK...

"Reef"? What's that?

Dictionary, dictionary...

"Hidden reef, shore reef..."

"To run aground on a reef."

That's something I'd better avoid.

"I shall walk
with my head held high"

"So my tears won't fall..."

I discovered that crying can help
to maintain mental wellbeing.

It feels good having a cry.

You can bawl your eyes out,
no one's looking.

I wept as though I was utterly alone
in this world.

If I say I'm not going, I won't go.

Where the hell is it?
It should be put back where it belongs.

– Listen, Dad...
– Go and ask your mother!

Mum just tells me to talk to you.
I'm just going round in circles.

This is where it's been left!

Anyway, I've decided
I'm not going to university,

but it'd make me feel better
if I had your consent, Dad.

– Only because you want to go sailing!
– Guess so.

Anyway, why can't you do both?
That's what you've been doing so far.

I'll pay your tuition fees for you
whatever happens.

Even if I wanted to go to university,
I'd find a way of paying for myself.

Anyhow, I hate studying!

– I didn't even want to go to high school.
– You can't sail yachts all your life!

– I'll work.
– Where?

Here. I can work with you, Dad.

I don't want you to get into this
business. Go back to school.

Doing the same as everyone else
doesn't interest me.

Work isn't supposed to "interest" you,
you stubborn fool!

You're the stubborn one!

Why do you say that?

I'm always easy-going,
everybody'll tell you that.

You're going to university!

No way!

I'm just popping out.

Have you finished that work
for Okazaki?

Not quite,
but Yoshi said he'd finish it off.

– Off to Nishinomiya again?
– That's right.

Your mother tells me
you have a yacht now.

A mate invited me into part ownership
with nine other guys,

so I own one tenth of the yacht.

A mate? What does he do for a living?

Runs a clothes shop, a shoe shop,
a flower shop... This and that.

So the yacht's his pastime?
He must be rolling in it, eh?

He's not rolling in it at all,
that's why he asked me.

It's 100,000 yen per person
to be paid in monthly instalments.

Since I earn only 10,000 a month,
it's pretty tight!

10,000 yen? I'm paying you too much!
I'll have to get you working harder.

You said you didn't want me
working at the yard.

You came here of your own free will.

I never said that! I don't want
to inherit this place off you.

I'm just hanging around here
so you'll get rid of me.

Good-for-nothing!

I'm 20 years old now.
I can take care of myself now.

If you did your job properly,
I wouldn't have to discipline the others.

Just tell them to ignore me
and get on with it. I'm off!

What?

Something you want to talk about?

So you're leaving and going to work
somewhere else for a year?

– I was going to talk to you about it...
– What's to talk about? You've decided.

If it was a regular job, fine,
but it's only for a year!

– I don't want to be an office worker.
– And after a year, then what?

A mate put a good word in for me,
the salary's three times what I get here.

It's a travel agency, providing services
for tourists travelling by boat or plane.

I'll be a driver, taking passengers'
baggage to the airport.

You'll upset your mother even more.

Why?

You tried to hide it from her,
but she realised all along

that all you want to do
is sail off in your yacht.

Hanako said as much...

"The only books my brother reads
are ones about the sea,

"about circumnavigating the globe
and diaries of castaways."

What does Hana-chan know?
They're only books.

It's only natural for someone
as wilful as you to run off to sea!

Don't be so hard on me!

You understand what it's like, Dad.

Pushing and shoving through life,
trying to survive.

To test yourself and your capabilities,
that's the best feeling, isn't it?

You don't have to go to sea for that!

I never said that.
I don't even have my own yacht.

I know you well enough, you'll build one.
I expressly forbid it!

I want you to give it up.
You're my only son.

– You're too suspicious!
– Disobey me, and I'll cut you off!

Well, there's nothing I can do about that.

That's Tateyama?

So, if Tateyama's at exactly zero...

Precisely north!

That's north,
so...zero, zero, zero...180.

All right!

I'm good!

So if my current position is here
and I maintain a course due south,

then I should pass between
Hachijo Island and Mikura Island.

After that, I hit the Pacific Ocean!

What a great device you are!

Good job I insisted on getting one.

With all those reefs
around the Izu Archipelago,

you better show me you're worth
the 57,000 yen I spent on you!

I'm relying on you.

On the front starboard side,
we have the moon.

In the heavens, we have the Plough,
and at the side, the Pole Star.

With my right hand on the rudder
and my left holding some cheese,

I listened to music on the radio.

I passed through the Izu Islands safely.

I won't forget that sense of satisfaction
at my achievement.

...133 degrees 45 minutes
of east longitude.

985 millibars, a category-3 typhoon,
15 kilometres northeast...

It's hot but it's great weather!

Just once...
I'd love to sail in a typhoon.

Me and my big mouth, talking
about typhoons! Now it's following me!

With such a large hole in the boat,

you have to drop the price
when the time comes to sell!

Enough is enough!

If you're facing certain death,
call out to me!

Hail to the Mystic Law
of the Lotus Sutra!

There as well?

When you first started sailing,
you did nothing but complain.

You were so tired when you got back
from school sailing trips, you just slept.

I wish you'd given up sailing then.

Listen, it's not that much fun even now,

with all the research I have to do
in preparation for this crossing.

The stress is making me sick.

So why don't you consider giving it up?

You have no real friends to speak of,

and I appreciate how much
this yacht means to you.

I have Pearl.

Pearl?

She's just a dog!

I told you, don't worry.

My yacht's been specially designed
to right itself from a 130-degree lean.

– I'm home.
– How come you're back so early?

Well, it's a holiday.

– Is today Sunday?
– Wednesday.

– A holiday on a Wednesday?
– I don't know!

Nice to be so out of it!

They're so easy-going
at that dressmaking college of hers.

I'm talking about Hana-chan. She goes
into classes not knowing it's a day off!

– Must be expensive, that yacht.
– Very expensive.

You managed to save up for it.

– I've been scrimping and saving.
– What scrimping and saving?

You can save enough from your salary,

but when it comes to shoes and shirts,
I have to buy them for you!

You don't have to pay board and lodging
in this house!

Please, Mum, no more ear-bashing!

First you quit the travel agents,

then spend every day down
at the boatyard building a yacht!

Is there nobody that can talk you
out of this crazy idea?

I'll be furious if you discuss
my plan with anyone else!

Yes, but...

I couldn't bear it
if you got angry and left home.

Maybe I should go and talk
to your friends.

Don't you dare!

Even my friends have been saying
the same thing lately...

"Don't mention crossing the Pacific
to Horie,

"because the more you try to dissuade
him, the more he'll want to go."

Yes, but...

...you'll still go, even if I say nothing.

What are you after, my dear?

I'm sure I bought some tobacco...
but I can't find it anywhere.

Your father won't even
discuss the matter with you.

I know. It's the same with my friends.

Is there no way of stopping you?

It's because you have no girlfriend.

If you had, she'd soon stop you
in your tracks!

Thanks for the food!

Don't be so daft, Mum,
I don't need a girlfriend.

And what money I do have, I spend it
on the yacht. So stop worrying!

I'm not going anywhere
till I'm totally confident.

How about going with a friend?

You, who can't stand being alone,

how can you spend all that time
by yourself at sea?

Day in day out, seeing the same person,
even a lover, in a tiny boat...

– It'd end in tears. Alone is best.
– You're just saying that out of pride.

Mum! A couple of months without
company, I'm bound to get lonely.

It can't be helped.

Listen, it's tough luck
if you don't want me to go.

I've made my mind up, I'm going!
You can't stop me!

I'll let you know when I'm leaving,

but if you keep nagging me,
then I'll just leave in secret!

– Off to the boatyard?
– Yeah.

Ken-chan...

If you're caught in a storm and
facing certain death, call out to me.

The wind's changed.

I should get cracking.

I've had enough of working all day.

Now it's your turn.

Don't just sit there, you lazy bastard!

Why don't you get out there?

Weird!

Is that the first sign I'm going mad?

Right, I'll do it myself!

There's no one but me on this boat.

No one but me!

Only ten bags left.

One bag is 3 litres,
so that makes 30 litres.

This amount of water
should just about last two months.

Plus 12 litres in cans...
No worries, eh?

No way!

Only three good ones.

There was no problem
when I tried them out at home.

I left water in plastic bags for a year
and there was nothing wrong with it!

It didn't go murky like this!

Never mind! Never mind!
I've got loads of canned fruit.

The juice in them is just like water.

And there's rainwater!

If I can catch it, I can drink that.

However much I tried to laugh it off,
it was no good.

It felt like I was caught
in a vicious circle.

It wasn't just the loneliness.

There was the exhaustion, cold,
lack of sleep and anxiety.

I felt I was losing my sanity.

As I wasn't taking in any water, I drank
a little alcohol to quench my thirst.

I deliberately started mixing my drinks.

I thought getting blind drunk
would help me.

The physical pain would ease
my psychological pain, right?

I feel awful!

Oh, that hurts!

That's the lot.

Do you know the easiest way
to travel abroad?

Air travel's got to be the easiest.

– I mean in terms of procedure.
– Procedure?

– Know anyone who specialises in it?
– Nah.

Isn't that your company's speciality?

Only for legitimate clients.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECTION

Could you help me, please?

– This won't do.
– Won't do?

You're missing one document.
Fill it in and return it.

These are the forms I got
from a travel agency where I worked.

I see...

How many days does it take
to get a passport?

You only require an ID card
to go to Okinawa.

But I need a document from you
that proves my Japanese nationality.

You'll be notified within four to five
weeks to come and pick it up.

That long?

Okinawa's under US military jurisdiction.

– Do you do a background check?
– How should I know?

All we do is pass on your application
to the Southern Region General Office.

So there's no way I can go to America
with my ID card, right?

America?

The counter for passport applications
is over there.

What's up?

No one'll come near me lately.

At least it's better than being criticised
by everyone.

I'm told Shikishima Cotton
will give you free sails.

Really?

The only condition is that you display
their trademark on the sail.

It's like this,
in the shape of a mermaid.

I heard you were hard up
for money, so...

Not exactly hard up,

but the yacht has cost me
70,000 yen more than I budgeted.

Ask them if I can change
the boat's name to Mermaid.

You sure you don't mind
advertising their brand?

They're not likely to find that many
customers in the middle of the Pacific!

There's a University Sailing Club
alumni meeting in May.

I wanted to make it a send-off party,
but many members were against it.

That's all right, who cares?
I might not even be in Japan by then.

There's no need to be so arrogant
when you're talking to me.

Sorry... You're my senior,
and I spoke out of turn.

It's nothing to do with all that
"senior/junior" nonsense.

What you are is a maverick.

You always do exactly what you want,
and you do it your way.

There's nothing wrong with that.

When you're the only one you can trust,
you have to believe in yourself.

Having said that, in order to protect
all that's important to you,

surely you have to treat
those around you with respect.

I mean, you might not see
eye to eye with everyone,

but they're still
your friends and family, right?

You are one man, and they are many.

If they really want to, they can come
down on you like a ton of bricks!

I've said too much. Forgive me.

No, I'm not bothered at all.

You don't get it, do you?
You should be bothered!

Listen, it's nothing to do with us
if you survive or die in the Pacific,

but just consider the position
you're putting everyone in.

It's almost like you want
to die out there.

I realise that, too!

Total distance in a straight line
is 5300 miles...

...adding on a third makes 7000 miles.

At the Mermaid's average speed
of approximately 2 to 3 knots...

...that's 60 days minimum,
120 days maximum.

So, 0.5 litres multiplied by 120...

...makes 60 litres.

60 LITRES OF DRINKING WATER,
30 BREAD ROLLS

5 BOXES OF CRACKERS,
5 KG OF HAM

Canned goods will be the staff of life,
whatever they taste like!

276 CANNED GOODS

2. 5 cups of rice per day
multiplied by 120 days...

I've put each portion in a plastic bag,
for convenience.

50 PACKETS OF MISO SOUP,
6 FLASKS OF SOY SAUCE

1 MEDIUM BOTTLE OF KETCHUP,
1 LARGE BOTTLE OF MAYONNAISE

5 BOXES OF SALT,
10 PACKS OF CHEWING GUM

I love sweet things so I'll pack plenty.

10 BARS OF CHOCOLATE,
3 BOXES OF BISCUITS

2 CANS OF INSTANT CREAM,
1 TIN OF TEA

The onboard kerosene stove
always stays horizontal.

I looked for a foreign-made stove
with a flame guard but couldn't find one.

And I had a whistling kettle
specially made,

so I can hear it when I'm above deck.

Tin-openers: essential kit!

1 THERMOS FLASK,
5 SPOONS, 6 FORKS

I tried to source as much
as I could from home.

Even so, I was still well over budget.

1 CHOPPING BOARD,
1 CLEAVER

60 BOXES OF MATCHES

The red mermaid trademark was
too easily spotted, so I took it off.

1 MAIN SAIL, 1 STORM JIB,
1 CRUISING JIB, 1 COMPASS

There was a second-hand,
British-made sextant I really needed.

It was 35, 000 yen, but, after an hour,
I bartered it down to 25, 000 yen.

1 ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE GAUGE
1 DIRECTION FINDER

1 TRANSISTOR RADIO,
7 RADIO BATTERIES, 4 LAMPS

I'd use my life jacket as a pillow.

40 LITRES OF PARAFFIN,
6 BUCKETS

Two large buckets
I used for collecting rainwater,

four medium buckets for bailing,

and I tied a red ribbon
on the toilet bucket!

12 NAUTICAL CHARTS,
1 CONSTELLATION CHART

1 BOOK ON BEACONS,
1 SET OF WATERPROOF CLOTHING

5 STRAW HATS,
1 BASEBALL CAP

Exposure to direct sunlight causes
exhaustion, so five cheap straw hats.

I need that many
because they'll get blown into the sea.

15 T-SHIRTS, 5 PAIRS OF TROUSERS,
7 SWEATERS

I bought 60 undershirts a few at a time.

80 pairs of cheap shorts,
which I'd throw away after wearing.

12 PAIRS OF GLOVES, 3 SCARVES,
3 BELTS, 10 PAIRS OF SOCKS

There was mountains of stuff!

I couldn't risk having
an overloaded boat in a storm.

There was no end of things
to worry about.

I took care not to go over
the maximum load of 500 kg.

1 MIRROR, 1 TUBE OF HAIR CREAM,
1 HAIR BRUSH

Also, a pair of tweezers
in case I got any splinters.

And toilet paper: 1 batch, 1000 sheets.

Tons of the stuff!
But best take it all, just in case.

12 PENCILS, 10 BALL-POINT PENS,
1 PENCIL SHARPENER, 2 RUBBERS

I needed so many books,
for reference and for entertainment.

And I needed cushions
as I'd be sleeping on a board.

They were so expensive!

4 BLANKETS, 1 JAR OF VITAMIN C,
STOMACH AND HEADACHE PILLS

Seasickness tablets
are bad for the stomach,

so I planned not to take any.

2 PACKS OF EYE DROPS,
I TIN OF MENTHOLATUM

1 ROLL OF BANDAGE,
1 PACK OF GAUZE

I needed a calendar I could tear off,
otherwise I'd lose track.

And there was a proverb for every day.

It was easy to check, and I could
use old sheets to blow my nose.

It would spur me on!

2 CHISELS, 1 DIVER'S KNIFE,
3 TYPES OF SCREWDRIVERS

3 DRILLS, 1 MONKEY WRENCH,
2 FILES, 1 BOX OF NAILS

1 SET OF NEEDLES,
50 WOOD SCREWS

1 ROLL OF SELLOTAPE,
1 TAPE MEASURE, 1 WHETSTONE

1 CAMERA, 3 ROLLS OF FILM,
2 UMBRELLAS

1 SET OF FISHING TACKLE,
1 UKULELE

A shark!

If I'd bumped into that,
that would've been end of story!

You pulled me away just in time!

I thank you.

I'll look after you.

Simple as that!

A real flush toilet. Simple as that!

I'll have to do it in black ink
as I don't have any red...sorry!

I can always see the positive side.

Right, let's go for it!

If I could sail at this speed every day,
I'd get to America in 50 days!

Fly with the wind!

The water of the Pacific Ocean, even
on sunny days, is a cold blackish blue.

That's because it's so deep
and absorbs the light.

The boat caught the waves
and sped along.

Yachts are so powerful.

With her sailing in the wind like this,
I felt a renewed sense of trust.

The ocean's so wide.

People say that it's a small world,

but I can feel
the true immensity of nature.

What a joy! Glad I came!

On the 41st day,
I crossed the international date line.

I had covered three sevenths
of the distance.

I was smack in the middle
of the Pacific Ocean!

Probably thought I was in distress.

Don't worry about me!
Just go back to where you came from!

Oh, no...they can't hear me.

If I wave at them,
they might think I'm asking for help.

Oh, yeah! My camera!

No rush, there's plenty of time.

Just look as if I'm leisurely
taking photos.

Doesn't matter if they don't come out.

1000 kilometres due south of here
is the Midway Sea.

Exactly 20 years ago in June,

many sailors lost their lives
in the immense naval battle there.

No one there now.

I offered them a silent prayer.

Another plane.

I suddenly felt nervous.

These planes must be keeping me
under surveillance.

Maybe they thought I was spying
on American territorial waters.

But America was still far away.

It'll be dark soon,
then I can sail off out of sight.

This is "Pineapple Time"
on Radio KIKI, Hawaii,

brought to you by the Shima Transfer
Company from Honolulu, Hawaii.

It's Japan's hit parade, so let's kick off
with Murata Hideo's "Champion of Go".

If the wind blows,
my go piece will fly away

You may laugh at the years
I've devoted to go

But the 808 bridges of old Osaka
where I was born...

If I substituted "my yacht" for "go",

this could be my song!

"If the wind blows,
my little yacht will float away

"And you may laugh at the years
I have devoted to it..."

The proverb for July 13th...

"Whatever your aspirations,

"they will amount to nothing
if you lack stamina and spirit."

Good morning.

It's morning once again, eh?

An American ship...
Fancy meeting you here.

Keep your cool!
Carry on as you were.

They're not going to arrest me.

Maybe my pronunciation's no good.

Oh, food supplies.

Do I look like a beggar?

Could I have got this far
without my own supplies?

I wish they'd get going.

What? Am I all right?

Bet he won't understand my Japanese.
I'm all right!

Time to take my leave...

Take care! Thank you!

Ta! Cheers! Thanks!

Passport...?

Why did she have to bring that up?

Thanks for reminding me
of something else to worry about!

Thanks for your kindness! Bye!

There'd been no rain for quite a while,

so I boiled my rice in beer,
to conserve water.

INSTANT CREAM
BUTTER

How is it? Pretty tasty, eh?

I'd kill for some real shortcake.

This stuff tastes awful!

I'll just have to lump it.
Hmm...tastes good!

Doesn't really, though.

Good, good. Tastes good, right?

How is it? Good, eh?

Well...I guess...it's kind of tasty.

Right?

You're lucky to be eating
such delicious food.

Tasty!

At least I took meals seriously!
Eating was relaxation for me.

I had to work so hard,
I didn't have a moment to relax.

I was plagued by a sense of unease.

And I ate to forget my anxiety,
and so overate and made myself ill.

And then, the wind dropped.

In the Pacific Ocean,
when the wind blows, it really blows,

and when it doesn't blow,
it's absolutely calm.

After a week of being becalmed,
I started to go slightly mad.

When I leapt into the ocean,

...the boat would edge forward slightly.

Maybe I could leg-kick all the way!

If I kept going back and forth,
shoving it like a swing,

the boat would be pushed forwards.

I thought seriously of giving it a go,
as nobody was watching me...

But I looked like an idiot,
so I just gave up on it.

I wonder if I'll ever reach America.

There was a cold current,
so the temperature dropped.

That meant I wasn't far from land.

I was scared of landing.

I wouldn't know anybody,
and I had no passport.

I had no money,
and I couldn't speak the language.

You couldn't have chosen
a worse day to leave in this rain.

And while your father's away
in Tokyo on business, too.

It's better that way.

Your father will be so angry with me.

It'll soon be too late. If I leave it
another day, the weather will be worse.

You will come back?

– Don't worry.
– Yes, but...

Provided I arrive safely,
I'll either be chased away,

or thrown into a detention centre.

What? All this effort just
to get thrown into a detention centre?

No, no, it's just something
that might happen.

Please, give up this stupid trip.

Others have made solo crossings
of the Pacific Ocean,

but no one from Japan yet.

Somebody will, sooner or later.
There's no reason for you to do it.

For a sea-faring nation,
Japan's pretty pathetic.

So nobody will be impressed, anyway.

All that effort,
just to get thrown into jail!

Mother, it won't be jail.
He said it'll be a detention centre.

All I want is to cross the Pacific.

I don't care if they arrest me.

It's not like they'll kill me or anything.

I'll be fine. I'll sell the yacht
and buy a ticket back home.

– Do you have any money?
– Yeah...I've got 2000 yen.

1000 YEN NOTE

Well, I still have a few things to get...
so I'll take it.

I should return within 120 days...
So you mustn't worry about me.

I made it for you to take with you.

You should've given it to me earlier,
then I wouldn't have had to buy any.

Anyway, thanks so much.

It's beautiful. Isn't it, Mum?

I've carefully researched
everything that I possibly can.

I'll just have to face
what Fate throws at me.

Land!

It's America!

Have I really made it?

There was San Francisco,
right before my eyes.

I imagined so many thoughts
would come into my head,

but my mind was a blank.

Around here,
the currents are strong.

The seabed has tricky contours.

If I wasn't careful, I'd come to grief.

Other vessels were coming and going...
so, safety first!

I kept watch outside the harbour
all through the night.

It was cold... and I was tired.

I changed my underwear
and had a shave.

And then, in the morning, there it was,
the Golden Gate Bridge.

And under the bridge and beyond
was San Francisco Harbour!

Mother!

I made it!

AUGUST 12TH 1962
SAN FRANCISCO

You're all speaking English!
I don't understand!

This is really America! San Francisco!

I made it! I reached America!

For 94 days I'd been at sea,
and my legs were unsteady.

It felt strange being on solid ground.

The Japanese Consul came
to meet me and put me in his car.

I was so worried...

Exactly six days
after my son departed,

his pet dog gave birth
to a litter of five puppies.

Taking care of the puppies took
my mind off worrying about my son.

His friends were so anxious,

that they launched a search for him
four days ago.

Then I started to worry and worry...

Really...I am just so grateful
that he's alive.

Sir, you were against your son's trip.
You must be happy now, though?

When we get him home, I'll make sure
he apologises to everyone.

Never again
will I let him do such a thing.

How does his sister feel?

I knew from the very start
that my brother would be all right.

We don't have any details just yet.
That's right, he did it alone.

– Somebody get the door!
– I'll go!

Horie Kenichi, from Osaka...
Osaka! Can you hear me?

So far, I seem to have been welcomed
as an object of curiosity.

I think this house belongs to someone
who works at the Japanese Consulate.

I think they'll let me stay here
for the night.

I've no idea
what will happen tomorrow,

but at least
I'm not in a detention centre.

For that, I'm thankful.

I finished what I set out to do.

I'm tired.

I really need some sleep.

Hello? I'll leave some pyjamas
here for you!

Wow! What a sight!

How embarrassing!

I'd best wipe it with this.

Must be a whole layer of my skin!

Horie-san, telephone for you!

An international call, from Japan!

I think it's your family on the line!

Right...I'm coming now...

Coming...

THE END