Original subtitles

THE STING OF DEATH

Hey...

Will you really die?

Don't "Hey" me like that!

I'm not your woman.

Shall I call you by your first name?

You have no shame!

Call me by my first name?

Call me "My dear".

My dear...

Will you really die?

Why not?

It'll be convenient for you.

Go to your woman's.

I'm different from you...

All my life, I've known only you.

Let me tell you clearly:

I've...

devoted my body and soul to you.

Yet you reward me like this.

You throw me away, like a cat.

No, you're wrong.

Then what am I to you?

You're... my wife.

Am I your wife?

You don't treat me like your wife.

Anyway, I don't want you to die.

But...

Will you treat me, so I won't have to die?

You've been unfaithful for such a long time.

- I'll try. - But how?

I'll be a different woman.

I'll be prodigal.

Think a hack writer like you can support me?

I'll stay home.

I won't go out.

If I do go out, I'll take my wife and children.

I won't sleep with anyone but my wife.

That's natural!

Where to?

I can't tell you that.

Then I can't let you go.

What's wrong?

An iron pot is pressing my head hard.

Hit me.

Hit my head!

More.

More!

Enough. Stop it.

Whenever you stayed out...

I was like this.

That's you.

Take a good look.

It hides at unfavorable times...

and shows itself again after a while.

It symbolizes the form of your heart and body.

Listen...

I have a question.

You mind if I ask it?

Help yourself...

But my answer will never satisfy you.

It'll only make things worse.

Just one question...

I won't ask any more.

Just one question?

I know you'll always keep coming up with more.

All right...

I won't ask you.

Very well.

Ask me...

Please ask me.

I read your diary.

It said, "Frigid wife".

What does that mean?

You know, because you wrote it.

I threw away the diary...

but I memorized everything you wrote in it.

What does it mean?

You ask so suddenly.

It takes a little time to remember...

when I wrote it and why.

Really? Take all the time you need.

But remember accurately.

You call this a dinner?

Letter.

Here's the letter.

We'll read it together.

I don't want to see it.

Did you flush it down?

- No, just paper. - The letter paper?

- Just paper. - Liar!

Hurry!

Lieutenant Shimao will douse you with water!

More! More!

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry. Forgive me.

I'm so humiliated that I have to look like this.

Dad isn't a bad boy, is he?

I'm worried. I'd better not go.

Don't worry. Your work is important.

HAPPY FAMILY DELIGHTFUL SHOPPING

I was thinking of mailing you the galleys.

I'm sorry.

OUTSIDE OF HOUSE

You here, too?

How about lunch?

Not today. I'm leaving.

I'll be finished soon. Join me.

How's your stomach?

Still wear an inner tube?

Not anymore.

You're an ex-banzai attacker, after all.

That's what I think.

There's always something broken about you.

Is there?

Miho!

Where's Mom?

I don't know.

What about you, Maya?

I don't know.

Shinichi, look at me.

Take a good look at me.

- Did she go out alone? - Yeah.

To buy something?

I don't know.

What was she wearing?

- A dress or a kimono? - A kimono.

Did she seem angry?

She didn't say anything.

Kuniko!

Come in.

Has my wife been here?

What do you mean?

I won't come here anymore.

What's the matter?

What happened?

She might come to kill you...

she might even kill herself.

I don't understand.

I have no time to explain.

I can't come...

Thanks for being my friend for so long...

but I won't come anymore.

Listen...

Explain so I'll understand.

Come in, huh?

I can't.

I'll leave. I won't come again.

Then...

You don't like me anymore?

It's not that.

You like me?

Sure, I like you.

I like you, too.

Come at least once a month.

I can't.

Then, write to me.

I can't do that, either.

May I write to you?

You'd better not.

I'll go partway with you.

No, thanks.

Seems your wife is back.

Someone was peeking from outside the fence...

and went round the back.

I'm sure it's your wife.

Will you come with me?

Miho!

I'm so glad!

I'm glad you're home!

No!

Don't touch me!

You're filthy!

Beast! Damn you!

Look...

I think I'd better leave.

At this hour? Why not stay overnight?

Thanks, but no thanks.

Now that she's back home, I'll go.

Let's go inside.

I decided not to come back again

I'm such a fool!

I'm not good!

I can't see the kids anymore.

Give them these toys tomorrow morning.

It's for you. Whiskey.

- Miho! You can't go that way. - Leave me alone!

It hurts!

It hurts!

I waited... until 3 o'clock.

I was relaxed.

But when the clock pointed to three,

a dreadful suspicion came over me.

I couldn't control myself.

Try to understand.

The only thing that keeps me going...

is the hope that my husband won't lie to me anymore.

If you break a promise...

no matter how small it is...

how can I dismiss your lies of the past?

I came straight home.

You sure?

You went to see her!

I meant, I came straight home from there.

Sorry, I can't believe you.

- No point in hiding anything from you. - But...

whenever I ask you about it, you always lie.

A lot has happened. Some things I forget,

others I remember.

But I don't lie about the basics...

or I wouldn't be here with you like this.

You're only patronizing me.

You can't atone for what you've done to me.

I'm not trying to hide anything.

You can't! Everyone knows about it already.

She's been complaining to your friends that...

you gave her only a pack of cigarettes.

Still, I envy her.

Just a pack of cigarettes is enough.

What did you ever give to me?

What else did you give her?

Tell me the truth.

Nothing special.

That's another lie.

I took her some chocolates.

How many times?

I can't remember such trifles.

How irresponsible!

"I can't remember," settles everything, huh?

Tell me the color of her panties.

You bought a dozen pairs for her.

They were all different colors.

I wish I could wear such colorful panties!

Can you guess why I know about it?

Shall I tell you?

I paid...

30,000 yen to have somebody check on you.

Can you guess how I could raise the money?

Want to know?

Open the wardrobe.

You won't find one of my kimonos.

You know why I had to sell them?

I didn't do it for you, but because of you.

Think I'm lying?

No.

- You're telling the truth. - Yes.

I'm not a liar like you are.

Listen...

How much did you pay her each month?

- No money. - Another lie?

You withdrew 10,000 yen.

What for?

Tell me.

Honestly.

Tell me.

Shall I tell you?

You used it...

to buy her an abortion.

You sent her to a gynecologist.

Didn't you?

Am I wrong?

Or am I right?

Which?

- You're right. - Ass!

Oh!

You hit me!

Toshio... hit me!

Shinichi, wake up! Maya, too!

Your father's running away.

Get up!

Bastard! Who's let you go?

I'll be the first to run!

Quit crying.

I won't go anywhere.

Whenever the kids cry, you frown.

I've been afraid of you.

From now on, you bring them up.

I've been...

very, very considerate of your health, too.

But you've never been able to appreciate that.

These arms...

these legs...

I've grown them myself!

I don't want to give them to anyone else!

I've put up with you for 10 years!

But I can't take it anymore!

Miho...

don't cry.

I'm to blame.

Whatever I've done, I was wrong.

I've thought only about myself.

I've left you behind.

No... that's not it.

I don't know why it turned out like this...

After the war...

I forced my weakness on you.

I tried to expand myself that way...

but I've finally brought myself to wake up.

From such sloppy ways...

You've beaten me.

But I have one favor to ask of you:

I won't lie to you anymore.

So in return, quit digging into the past.

Just look toward the future.

I'll make a deal: for 10 years I've made you suffer,

so for the next 10 years, I'll serve you.

I'll do whatever you tell me to do.

And I won't do anything you don't want me to do.

Where to?

Why, you came for me?

I'm going home. Nowhere else.

I don't believe it.

- And you still have a class. - No...

The class was cancelled. I'm leaving early.

You were planning to meet her, weren't you?

I thought I'd cross the street.

Let's decide the way I'll go home.

I'll walk this way every night.

I'll cross the street at that fruit shop.

I'll walk on the left side of the street.

Then you won't miss me when you come to meet me.

Why not stay longer?

Thanks, but it's already late.

Shinichi, Maya, let's go.

Take home the special food of this island.

How nice! Thank you.

Help me with my shoes, huh?

You make your man do that, too?

I'm a little tired this evening. Call a taxi.

You've worked hard. Here's a reward for you.

Good. My manuscript fee.

Papa...

Why don't we build a new fence?

The place looks miserable. It's awful.

Okay?

Okay.

You let your man carry it all? I wish I could do that!

But you can stay with your husband all day.

I have to. We work together.

Never once has he taken me on a holiday.

Ever been to Ikebukuro with her?

I did what I did. So what?

I apologized for it.

What more do you want?

I am what I am!

Kill me! Send me to hell, if you like!

Fool! What are you raving about?

Hell, you say?

That's where you are right now.

- Shinichi, let's play. - Maya, let's play.

I wanted so much to be loved...

without interruption.

Maybe I took too much for granted.

How tragic it is not to get what you want!

I'll never become a shellfish.

I'm glad she didn't start again.

She said it...

She really gets like a shellfish.

Shinichi, go buy bread.

A loaf of bread and peanut butter.

I'll clean up. Miho, boil some water.

Maya, help me.

Ready? Here we go!

Today I'll tell you about a monster.

Listen carefully, children.

The monster has a red face...

and long arms and legs.

He's neither a god, nor a ghost.

He's the same as humans.

- You starting school next year? - Yeah.

What a big head!

It must be filled with brains.

You're a bright girl, too, with plenty of brains.

Papa...

Let's try even harder, for them.

Shopping? You should tell me.

Sometimes I want to walk by myself.

I'm tired of walking with you.

I suppose...

but you can't go all by yourself.

Toshio...

Did you please her?

Tell me...

Could you please her?

How would I know such stuff?

Liar! You're lying.

Really. I don't know.

Liar! Liar! You're a rotten liar!

Listen, Miho...

It's highly personal.

Liar! I hate lies!

I'll never forgive you, until you quit lying!

Tell me clearly,

and we can stop this stupid argument.

Don't go!

Don't go near there!

Wait! Someone stop him!

Papa! Wait!

Please don't die!

I'm sorry.

What's wrong?

What's he doing?

Stop crying.

No need to cry.

Want some toast?

With ham?

Do you want another one?

You sure eat a lot.

Your belly all right?

Shall we buy more?

Or is it enough?

Want to eat rice, too?

What a mess!

I pushed him so hard, he got crazy.

Toshio, it's time to go.

Shinichi.

Papa, you start.

Good!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Shinichi.

Is this the one?

Use both hands.

Maya.

Thanks for everything last year,

and thank you in advance for this year.

Same here.

Her!

She's there!

I saw her at Koiwa Station...

but she didn't notice me.

You loved her a lot.

How could you leave her just like that?

You keep harping on that.

Enough is enough!

I'll die of pneumonia!

You threatening me?

Get naked, then.

I can do that, too.

Want some medicine?

Never mind.

I'll be all right soon.

Hi! It's morning.

The factory people are starting work.

Shinichi...

Let's go...

to the village where my parents are from.

Miho...

Let's go there and create a new past.

Your cousins live in your dad's house...

You won't like it there.

Why not stay here longer?

Thanks, but I must visit my parents' grave.

Miho, you should eat a little more.

The Education Committee will contact us. Then...

- I'll tell you soon. - Thank you.

Let's go.

Toshio!

- Remember that house? - No. What about it?

We used to go there and steal pigeon eggs.

That drunkard's house?

Like father, like son. His son's a lush, too!

Shall we take a bath?

Help yourself.

What about you?

No, thanks.

Don't call me "Miho" anymore.

Starting now, call me by her name.

Dad, do it for me.

I can't do it.

At 10 degrees, we'll have meat.

At 10 degrees, we'll have meat.

- Is the temperature down to 10? - Sure.

- Look! - Okay, okay.

"Eat meat, and you won't get sick."

Right. Shinichi, put it down.

Sit down, you two.

Let's hope Mom won't "start it again".

I sort of feel I should "start it again".

It isn't necessary!

Let's eat.

Shinichi, Maya, grow up quickly.

We'll live together in a wilderness.

If someone comes to kill us,

we'll fight back with guns.

You and Maya can pass out the ammunition.

I don't hate you...

I don't know why I'm torturing you.

Listen...

Tell me...

What should I do?

Shame on you!

Who are you to blab about a married couple's shame?

Don't do that. Calm down.

No woman has the right to strike her husband.

No matter what he says, it's a lie.

I'm not sick. He lied in order to get me here.

I'm scared.

I'm scared.

Roll up your sleeve.

Listen: she hates electric shock treatment. Don't do it.

As you wish.

Don't move, or the needle will break.

Papa...

I...

What's wrong, Papa?

Nothing's wrong.

I'm worried.

Nothing to worry about.

What's she doing now?

- She's sleeping. - Let's hope so.

I feel lonely, without her here.

Want the light off?

I don't care.

Then, let's leave it on.

Good night.

Good night.

Dad, Maya threw away her coat!

Shinichi!

- Where? - I don't know.

She took it away somewhere.

Maya!

Tell me: did you throw away your coat?

I don't know.

Yes, you do. I won't get mad, so tell me.

Don't lie. Tell me the truth.

You threw it away?

Where is it?

There.

Here?

Nothing here.

This way.

Here.

Another lie.

If you keep lying, I'll really get mad.

I might run out on you guys.

Maya! Stop! Watch out!

A phone call!

Hello?

Do you know who I am?

Sure.

Why haven't you come?

I couldn't make it yesterday. I'll come today.

I write you postcards.

Anybody can write a postcard.

Okay, I'll make them letters.

All you do is quibble.

You never do anything on your own.

Listening?

I'm listening, yes.

I'm back.

Give me money. For the taxi.

Somehow, I feel better.

You've moved into that house around the corner?

That place was empty for such a long time.

In a corner of the kitchen, I found many empty cans.

They were for TB medicine.

Dear...

We can't raise our kids here.

Let's go back to Amami.

Miho...

Let's send the kids there first.

Your folks may not like it.

But we can go there, too, as soon as you get better.

Am I...

really sick?

Mr. Shimao.

- You Mr. Shimao? - Yes, I am.

He's in.

Toshio.

Wait! I have something to discuss.

That woman?

Don't miss her. Catch her!

What are you doing? I won't run.

- You hold her, too. - Let go!

What brings you?

- His "friends" sent me. - What's that?

Money, as a token of their sympathy for you.

Why should we accept money from you?

But, we all discussed it...

After you destroyed my home?!

That's...

You came because you thought I was in an asylum.

Too bad, I'm here.

I knew you'd come someday.

I won't let you go.

Toshio, lock the doors!

Toshio... do you really love me?

Yes.

Do you love this woman or not?

I hate her.

Then you can hit her in my presence.

Do it for me!

Not enough! Do it harder!

It's not enough to cure my mind.

That hurts!

What's keeping you? Help!

Stop! Don't crack her skull!

I get it...

She's more important than me!

Help!

She wants to kill me! Help!

Toshio!

Take a good look!

You caused all this! You did it!

Let's take off her panties and stuff!

Hurry! Grab her legs!

Stop!

I don't know what's going on...

so I don't know who's right and who's wrong...

but no one is allowed to behave like savages.

So stop. Please stop.

Is it here?

What's going on?

Thank you.

We'll get to the island...

a week from now, in the morning.

We'll take them there all right.

The luggage we sent will get there at the same time.

I thought I'd never be able to see the island again.

- Sorry. - That's all right.

The white, bright days... and...

the profound blue nights of the island...

they'll help your kids grow up as good citizens.

Shinichi... be sure to write me often.

Sure.

Going to grade school there? You can write, then.

Goodbye.

Excuse me. My wife's gone.

Look! It's open.

Where's her house? She might've gone home.

She has no house.

This is our house.

Did she have sleeping pills?

I don't know. I saw odds and ends in the drawer.

Go and look.

Do bodies sink to the bottom?

They float once, then they sink again.

I came back because you were crying.

You heard me crying?

You kept saying, "Miho, Miho," and howling like a dog.

You'll receive continuous sleep treatment.

Will I... get better?

If you sleep well.

Won't you be lonely, after I fall asleep?

Sure.

Then...

- I'll make a scene. - I suppose.

Keiko Matsuzaka Ittoku Kishibe

Midori Kiuchi Takenori Matsumura

Yuri Chikamori, Akira Yamanouchi, Miyoko Nakamura, Seiko Kitamura

Subtitles revised by lordretsudo

Directed by Kohei Oguri