Original subtitles

Evening.

You must be tired?

- Have some, Seki... - No, no...

- Want more hot water? - No, I'm getting out.

Was Toyoji here today? - Yes.

He seems to come often.

Now and then... since he left the army.

He should spend his time working, not pestering others.

Toyoji isn't in love with you, is he?

Really... I'm nearly as old as his mother!

You have to admit, you look much younger.

Everyone calls you "Little Seki". You hardly look 30!

Any good? - But of course. The wife made 'em fresh today.

Give you 3 cents for 4.

Whah!... Below my cost! But... 'cause you're such a steady client...

What a beautiful day it's turned into!

Hungry? Care for a treat?

How very kind of you. You're going to spoil me...

Why? It's nothing at all!

Where did you get them, Toyoji? - From the old guy at the shop.

Too tempting to resist. They ought to be good, they're fresh.

We'll see... Good!

Then I'll have one. I'm always letting you spoil me!

Shall I make us some tea? - Later, let's eat first?

Toyoji isn't in love with you, is he?

Something wrong, Toyoji-san? You look so serious...

Dear lady, have one.

Toyoji-san... what makes you come to visit someone like me?

Last one's yours.

Toyoji-san, it's yours. - Go on, I insist.

No, Toyoji, you have it.

Tell you what... let's share it?

Toyoji-san, thanks...

Here... trade you an empty for a full one.

Here you go. - Congratulations!

Little Seki, thought you'd forgotten us?

She'd rather look after her husband...

Seki knows the secret of youth... pleasing her man!

See Seki-san... as many admirers as ever.

Gisaburo-san... must make you worry!

No...

Gracious lady... allow me to say how happy I am for you today.

Is that the sake speaking, or are you just happy by nature?

I'm happy 'cause I never neglect my wife!

Toyoji-san, come in. Please be welcome!

You should be thinking of marriage too.

How old are you now? - Same age as the groom.

You must've been so beautiful... on your wedding day.

Thank you.

What a racket! Must be those damned kids again.

Dear lady.

Dear lady.

She's sleeping.

You're very lucky.

If I were you, I wouldn't hog it all.

There's enough for both of us!

Sleep, little treasure, for mothers's sake...

when you wake...

Dear lady!

...you break her heart.

Dear lady!

Toyoji-san...

You'll catch a chill...

...needed a rest... my shoulders ache so.

I can fix that... if you allow me.

That feel better?

At sunrise... the baby cries... the mother sighs...

Don't... Toyoji-san!

Don't do that... Toyoji-san!

What's wrong?... I'm trying to make you feel better.

No!... No!

No... You're hurting!

Then stop struggling. Just be still, relax...

You like it, don't you?

And now, let me look at you!

Don't hurt! No need to be so rough.

Cold in here!

Master's out... be late before he's back.

Oh Seki-san! Isn't it incredible... Have a look!

Look at what?

Beautiful, eh? Look!

That isn't nice, Toyoji-san. You're embarrasing me.

Don't be silly... See what you do to me.

Gisaburo could never understand. He doesn't deserve this.

Seki-san...

You can tell by the first time. You loved it, didn't you?

Tell me you wouldn't love it again? - Really!

When I was a child, an old villager told a story I'd forgotten till now.

What was it about?

A woman whose eyes wouldn't close when she slept,

...cause she'd been raped in her sleep.

Seki-san... you've changed... since the first time.

Toyoji-san...

I'm beginning to forget I'm 20 years your elder.

I never think about it.

I don't care... even if you are 20 years my elder.

- Except... - Except?

Only... when we're apart,

the thought of you with him drives me crazy.

Daddy!

You're falling asleep!

I know... I'm so relaxed.

You haven't eaten much, eat some more?

I had so much I need to work it off.

They feed you enough there? - I suppose, but I'm always hungry...

Is the work hard? - I'd rather go to school instead.

You must learn childcare as your mother did in her day.

School's a waste of time... Besides, we can't afford it.

In school, you won't learn anything but foolishness.

All I want is a good life.

As I recall... that's what your mom said when she was young.

She wanted a good life... ...wanted a better life.

She's learned to be happy with her lot.

What are mom and dad up to?

Not making love, are they?

...in broad daylight?

Go see what she's doing... Come back and tell me.

Go on!

Who's there?

Hello. How's it going?

Weather's not fit for ducks!

Toyoji, such a downpour... What brings you out?

People-watching. - Without trying, you can't help but see.

Everyone stays inside in this weather... even the rickshaw driver!

He's doing you know what... with little Seki!

Haven't seen them for a while.

Haven't seen a soul, not even a stray dog.

Sure is a miserable New Year's Day!

Toyoji-san, come in and have tea. Come on in!

No... thanks anyway.

Oh! Toyoji-san! - Seki-san!

It's dangerous, ... someone will see!

No one'll see us here.

Where've you been? - Had to take food to my sick aunt.

And I thought...

What're you doing in this rain?

It's been so long... I've missed you. Come!

Where? - To my house!

Your brother's there. - Don't have to worry about him.

It's getting late, almost dark... They'll be expecting me.

Who?

Shave it...

Shave it...

Shave it...

Shave it!

We must kill him.

What?

Do you want him...

to see where you've shaved.

How'll you explain when he sees it?

I'll make some excuse.

He sees it, he'll figure it out.

I couldn't do it... I couldn't go through with it.

Like it or not, you've no choice.

Is there no other way?

It's the only way.

Seki-san... I can't go on without you.

If we don't kill him, I'll kill myself.

Toyoji-san... What should I do?

What do I have to do... Toyoji-san?

We'll kill him... throw him down an old well... he'll never be found.

Will the body disappear?

The body will rot down there.

It will rot into the mud. Soon nothing will remain.

What if we fail? - We won't!

It couldn't be that simple. How could it be?

Fool, he has to die!

You get him drunk on sake. We'll kill him while he's in a stupor.

How much will it take?

Two bottles should be plenty.

He's used to drinking a lot. - Do you think he'll need more?

He holds his liquor. Two bottles a night are nothing to him.

He won't have a hangover!

It's unusally cold, eh? An early winter's a bad sign.

Seki, dear!

First snowfall of the year!

It's really coming down, too.

All finished? It's time for you to go to sleep.

I'm frozen to the bone!

Had to hurry... or I'd have been caught in the storm.

I had to go like the wind.

Honey, I'll warm some sake for you.

If you use the scissors, won't they rust?

Don't worry, I'll sharpen them.

I've always thought tuna's better than cod.

Always tastes best salt-dried... cut in thin strips...

...then snipped with scissors.

Your husband's a lucky man!

Oh Seki-san, I wish my wife'd spoil me too.

Is all this just for him?

You're a good girl!

Not like my old woman. She'd never think of such a thing.

Knows I like sake, but rarely serves it, though we have jugs of the stuff in here.

I wish you'd have a talk with her. Do it for me!

Having guests tonight?

We need cord... or some rope.

Fool! For a grown man, not a child!

Don't you have rope?

Look... Pull it hard as you can.

Don't stop no matter what!

Just keep pulling... understand?

Don't let go!

He's dead!

Listen...

Swear you'll never say a word to anyone!

Stop it! Stop crying now!

He's dead. It's over! Okay?

No one will ever know... if we keep our mouths shut.

If we're found out, they'll hang us.

People will ask questions? What'll I say?

If they ask, say he went to Tokyo to make money.

You hear me?

What to do... ...with the body?

How long do we keep it?

What?

What are we going to do with it?

I told you. Throw him down a well... an old well.

How do we get him there?

We have to do it! We carry him!

What'll we do if someone sees us?

No one's out in this weather! Be strong!

Okay!... Only, hurry, it's almost dawn.

I can't do it... I can't go through with it!

Keep going, we can't stop now.

With the first winds of autumn,

the trees begin to shed their burnished leaves.

Silently, one by one, they fall floating slowly to the ground.

Peasants come to the forest to rake up the leaves.

Leaves serve as fuel for the fire.

That is the wisdom of the poor.

But the woods themselves are the masters' property,

and taking the leaves is theft.

Still... the masters are tolerant, and give it no thought.

And the poor, who have nothing, continue to gather the leaves.

That year, however... Toyoji acquired a very peculiar habit.

Toyoji does not return home with one basket,

two baskets, or three baskets of leaves,

but takes them deeper into the woods, emptying them into an old well.

He has no idea why he does this, he only knows he cannot do otherwise.

Something makes him do it.

No one notices his strange behaviour.

There was no one, till one day...

Why gather leaves, only to throw them into an old well?

For the fire, but they're no good.

They're too wet to burn.

So I just throw them away.

You should be careful of these old wells, though...

One false step, you're finished!

However... the young master carries on, other concerns on his mind.

Toyoji forgets the encounter, and continues as before.

Been gathering leaves again?

Then late in the 3rd summer,

as All Souls' Day drew near,

the villagers began to ask questions, and to gossip about Gisaburo,

the rickshaw man, whom they hadn't seen or heard of for a very long time.

It's Oshin-chan?! Look how you've grown!

Visiting your mom? She must be so happy.

You worked hard. Thanks for your effort.

It was nothing, thank-you.

I hate to leave unfinished work, but my son's waiting.

Oh Seki-chan... quite sure there's no one else waiting?

Gisaburo must be doing well to stay in Tokyo so long?

Think of all the money he must be sending you!

How would I know, I've had no news nor any money.

I should think you'd be very worried?

If anything were wrong, he'd have let me know.

But since he hasn't, I'm sure he's okay.

Little Seki, Kurazo says Gisaburo came to him in a dream.

- Didn't he, Kurazo? - Yes!

Well, it must've been a week or 10 days ago.

I said nothing, as I didn't want you to worry.

Just remember, it was only a dream...

Gisaburo said...

he was uncomfortable wearing the same clothes for so long.

He wondered if I'd bring him a fresh change.

If Kurazo knew where he was, he'd have done it right away.

Kurazo'd be sad if Gisaburo thought he'd let him down.

Kurazo!

Want to know what caused your nightmare? You ate too much as usual.

No wonder, the way he eats!

Why would he ask you for clothes, anyway.

His wife should dream that!

Seki's too busy to sleep! No time to dream!

Ishichi!... did you start the fire?!

No, I did.

Oshin!

You frightened me!

I didn't expect to find you home.

One day that child's going to set the house on fire.

I didn't expect you back till the holidays.

I kept dreaming that father's dead.

By New Year's he should've returned home for good,

with lots and lots of money... so we could be happy again.

He didn't come back that year nor after.

I afraid father will never come home.

I know... you'd think at least he'd have sent us word.

I don't understand it.

What if he really is dead?

He's always dead in my dreams.

Oh Seki...

Oh Seki...

Gisaburo-san...

Forgive me!

I beg you, rest in peace!

Wait, I'll go get you some.

Oh it's you, Seki, out at this hour?

Has Gisaburo finally come home?

Seki-san!

What are you doing here?

I must have thought I was at home.

It's dangerous to be seen here! Come on... let's go!

Toyoji-san... Stay the night at our house.

I'm afraid... I can't stay all alone.

It's impossible!

You know I can't. Oshin's home.

What does it matter if she's there?

If anyone learned that I slept at your house,

they'd soon say we killed Gisaburo to get him out of the way.

So... just wait a bit longer.

I wonder... if you...

If you've lost interest in me.

I wouldn't worry, if I didn't love you, would I?

We'll see each other secretly.

For how long?

When you think about it... it's been 3 years...

Why are stories still going round, and ghosts still showing up?

Look Seki-san... it won't go on forever.

You must be patient.

I can't go on like this!

You know... if you don't want to be alone,

you might ask to stay with the mistress .

I'm sure she wouldn't mind.

Complains of loneliness and insomnia... Yet her snores keep me awake!

Loud enough to ward off evil spirits!

It's a wonder she can sleep, with the racket she makes.

I pity any man who sleeps with her... must take all the joy out of it.

I hope the ghost doesn't come...

I'm not afraid... Gisaburo can hardly blame me.

Ghosts, indeed... What am I thinking?

Only a sick mind would see such things!

Evening, Mistress...

Do you recognize me...?

You see Gisaburo, the rickshaw driver.

Good Lady, I beg you...

Gisaburo-san!

I saw it!... I saw the ghost!

I was dreaming about father, too!

Mother... it wasn't clear... but I felt...

..he was in danger, as if trying to climb out of a dark hole...

He was crying for help.

Oshin!

Toyoji-san!

Oh, it's you!

I had to come see you here... you wouldn't stay with me.

Denzo's here. I'm not alone.

I know, it's not to make love. I'm afraid the ghost will come again.

What makes you so sure he won't appear here?

I don't know. I just feel he wouldn't dare come here.

What's wrong with him? - Nothing!

Denzo!

Morning! Inspector Hotta. I want to talk to you.

You scared me!

What's wrong, you deaf?

Excuse me?

The ears are no good. Can't hear a word you say.

Listen, I want to ask you a question. What can you tell me...

about the man who pulled the ricksaw here.

One thing I know for a fact, whether you like it or not,

we could use some rain.

What about the rickshaw driver?

What was that? Speak up, son!

Can't you hear anything?

Tell me, have you seen a ghost around here lately?

G-H-O-S-T!

Afternoon. You are little Seki? - Yes.

Have you got a better half? - Why, yes... of course I have.

What's your husband's name?

Gisaburo

He wouldn't be here, would he? - No... He's away working.

And where's he working? In town? - In Tokyo, I think.

Where in Tokyo? - I don't really know.

Come on, who would know if not his wife?

What sort of work does he do?

He's a rickshaw driver.

How long will he be gone?

Hear from him, now and then? - Yes.

Then you know he's well? Would you show me one of his letters?

I don't have one. You see, he can't read or write.

So... How d'you know he's in Tokyo then?

Someone said they saw him there.

Someone... so who's this someone?

Is she your daughter?

Yes, she's here on holiday... but has stayed a bit too long.

She must be returning to her work soon.

What's her name? - Oshin

Oshin-chan! Your father hasn't tried to contact you, has he?

They say his spirit has returned.

Aren't you the least bit disturbed?

I intend to find out what happened to him.

Understand?

You last heard from him 3 years ago.

Wouldn't you say that's a bit peculiar?

No, stop Toyoji-san... don't make me go. I'm too afraid!

Seki-san... you have more to fear from a cop than a ghost.

Use your head... A ghost isn't dangerous, it can't harm you.

But if the cop discovers the truth, we're done for. Understand?

You haven't seen the ghost, you don't understand!

It's like he's sucking the life from me.

Gisaburo never appears to me. I keep wondering why? It's strange.

All I know is, if he tells anyone he's in the well, we're lost...

Seki dear... Be strong, okay?

We lose courage, it's over! We'll finish up at the end of a rope.

You understand that?

We won't see each other... as long as that cop's around.

We don't want him to suspect anything.

It's easy to say I should be careful... to not cause suspicion.

Are you careful! You weren't so careful... when you shaved me!

Please don't cry! Don't cry!

Toyoji-san, I don't want to go. I don't want to be alone.

I want to stay here with you.

Don't worry... don't worry.

Why else would I put you through all this, if not so we can be together in the end!

I just can't bear it any longer!

Toyoji-san, maybe you can take it, but I can't!

Denzo!... Charge!

Denzo, where'd you get the trumpet?

The Inspector!

Seki... Go home. Stay there!

We can't be seen together.

Don't be afraid of the ghost.

If he comes again, give him sake.

Seki-san... Know what everyone's saying?

They say you have someone.

You getting this for him, eh?

What I don't like... is all this talk of a ghost.

Do you think he's jealous?

If he comes here... don't worry... I'll give him some good advice.

I'll tell him he'd do more good, if he'd rest in peace!

Oh! You don't look well...

Did I upset you?

Good night then.

Don't like hearing about ghosts myself.

Seki, going home now?

Then, get in. I'm going that way.

No, I'd prefer to walk.

Oh Seki... Please get in?

Poor girl.

Okay, I'll get in, then.

Are we on the right road?

We're not on the right road!

Strange but I've forgotten the way home.

Oh Seki... you'll have to guide me.

I'll try... but we'll have to turn back.

This isn't the road! I don't even know where we are!

Don't go so fast!... Where are we?... I don't recognize this!

I don't see anything familiar! If only I could tell...

If only I knew where we were!

Wait, will you?!... It's useless to keep going around in circles.

Gisaburo-san! Have you forgotten the way?

Gisaburo-san!

Gisaburo-san... Gisaburo-san! Help me!... Help me!

I am afraid, Gisaburo!

Help me, Gisaburo!

Is it really you, Gisaburo-san?

Gisaburo-san... let me see your face.

Mother... What happened to you?

Oshin!

Mother!

Oshin!

Mother, I'm leaving.

Don't leave me! - You said you didn't want me to stay.

I'm sorry, but you go on so about father.

Being here reminds me of him.

Mother... Are you sure you don't know where he is?

Oshin...

Don't worry, I won't tell anyone my dream.

But I can't come back. - Why? What do you mean?

Mother, I have to go.

Take care. Don't go out at night.

It isn't good to leave Ishichi alone.

Good-bye!

Oshin!

Little Seki, helping harvest? - Yes.

Toyoji-san does nothing morning till night.

The lazy bones could help, couldn't he?

Some people have no shame...

Cheat on their husband... he finds out... then he disappears!

Don't talk too much!

Gossip's easy, when you know nothing. What if you're wrong?

Don't tell me something isn't fishy here?

Shouldn't jump to conclusions...

I know what I'm saying, mark my words!

You'd have to be blind not to see... something strange's going on.

You can say that again!

Every afternoon, he goes off alone.

He's in the woods, up to no good!

Listen... know what he does there?

Collects baskets of dead leaves...

and then... throws them into an old well!

Bit strange, if you ask me.

What do you know!?

Ever see Toyoji-san in the woods yourself?

Ever see Toyoji-san at my house yourself?

There's nothing going on between us! It's just viscious gossip!

Thank you. You worked hard.

May I come in?

I followed... didn't think he'd come here.

The young Master saw me at the old well.

I'm afraid he'll tell Hotta.

You think so?

I'll listen... Go home... I'll see you there.

If the police question us, what'll we say?

Get going. We shouldn't be seen here.

Little Seki! Are you in bed already?

I cooked some sweet potatoes for you.

That was kind of you. Wait, I'll let you in.

Don't bother, I'll leave them outside the door...

I didn't want to disturb you if you were with someone.

Gisaburo-san! Please forgive me,

but I have nothing in the house to drink,

and I'm too tired to go out.

Would you... like some?

Gisaburo-san!

Tell me... why haven't you denounced me?

Tell me... the night you died... you must have seen who was killing you?

You knew it was I.

Why haven't you told someone?

Gisaburo-san!

Gisaburo, where are you going?

I want to go with you. Please take me with you!

Gisaburo-san, don't go.

Seki-san, it's me!

Seki-san!

Toyoji-san... that you?

What's going on? Open the door!

Toyoji-san, just go! - What?

I don't... want to see you.

What's that? The Inspector's still there. They'll tell him about the well.

So what. They can arrest me. I don't care anymore.

Whatever they do to me,

Seki-san!

it couldn't be worse than this,

the endless poverty, the aching... it's completely hopeless.

Toyoji-san, always longing for you, you never come...

Open the door!

Toyoji-san, go away!

If you don't, I swear, I'll tell the Inspector... that I did it.

Seki, why won't you open the door? What're you doing?

Seki-san... Have you gone completely mad?

Toyoji-san... forget me!

If I die everything'll be okay!

If I'm dead, they can't hurt me anymore,

and you can live in peace.

Leave me... go to Tokyo... start over again.

I want you to be happy, Toyoji-san.

Open the door! Open it!

No, Toyoji-san. It's useless we both die!

No! I want us both to live.

To live together! Together... both together! - It's impossible now... Let me die!

Toyoji! Go away!... If they see you here, they'll arrest you!

No, I won't go.

It's too late, Toyoji-san!

If you loved me at all, you'd go... ... Go away!

No... I love you! I love you!

I love you, Seki-san, Oh Seki-san!

You don't scare me.

Go away!

Gisaburo-san...

Oh Seki-san!!

Seki-san!

Seki-san!

Seki-san! Forgive me.

Forgive me... I'm so sorry, Seki!

Just ...

just three more...

three more days together with you.

Hurry!... We have to save them!

You okay?

Be careful! Watch out in there!

Hey! Everyone all right? - Yes.

Oh, young master!... What are you doing?... out here in the woods?

Just... walking... These are our woods.

And you, Toyoji?

So, was it you who said you saw me throwing leaves into an old well?

I never said a word.

But aren't you the only one who saw me?

These old woods are full of surprises... full of old wells too.

You're not even certain which one it was.

But you did tell the Inspector. - I don't think so.

I don't believe you.

You don't know which well... If you did, you wouldn't be out here looking.

You'll die for what you've done!

Maybe so... but you're going to die first!

Good evening.

Toyoji-san... don't keep me waiting...

Already five long days...

freezing cold, eaten alive by mosquitoes...

...thanks. It's very kind of you. - It's nothing. Please, don't mention it.

Dear Lady, good evening!

Is the little one sleeping?

Yes, but he sleeps very lightly.

Dear Lady, like a treat?

Why do you call me that? You don't normally.

Seki-san... you said all you want is for us to be happy, just 3 days.

I couldn't think what to do...

till I remembered... when I first called in for tea

You were my "Dear Lady" and we were so happy.

We never even thought about being seen together.

So, for the next 3 days... let's live like that.

No one can stop us.

Dear Lady, would you care for a treat?

How kind of you. You are spoiling me again...

Why, no. It's nothing at all...

Where did you get them? - I bought them at the shop.

Too tempting to resist... made fresh, so must be good.

Oh, yes!

I will try one, then. Why do I let you spoil me so?

Shall I make us some tea, Toyoji-san?

Dear Lady, have one first. Please!

Toyoji isn't in love with you, is he?

No, don't cry!

It'll ruin everything... We mustn't start making mistakes now.

That's what I'm waiting for, you to make a stupid little mistake.

What's wrong? What are you looking at?

What are you laughing about?

Remember how we shared the last one. Remember?

Toyoji-san... it's for you.

No... it's for you, dear Lady

No, please take it. - No, I insist.

Toyoji-san...

Seki, don't!

Who's there?

- Who's there!? - What is it?

I heard a noise out there.

I didn't hear anything. What to you think it was?

It sounded like someone was moving out there.

But there's no one... unless it's the cats. They're in heat this time of year.

Cats, my eye! You're the ones in heat.

Have you heard what they're saying?

That young master... hanged himself to save the family honour.

Young master would never kill Gisaburo!

Gisaburo-san... is he dead or alive?

How can we know?

Kurazo dreamt he fell into a well and drowned.

They say he'd been daydreaming.

I don't believe that. This whole affair is far from clear.

I'd like to know, is he dead or alive?

Why are they so sure young master committed suicide?

Inspector Hotta!

Why haven't you arrested Gisaburo's murderer yet?

You must end this talk... that my son killed himself because he was guilty.

Madam, I can't make an arrest without proof.

But the whole village talks about someone throwing leaves into an old well.

No one knows which well it is.

You should arrest him first, then force him to confess!

Madam... you have my sympathy.

My dear lady, according to the laws of Japan...

if I arrest an innocent man, then I'm the guilty one.

What are you saying? - Just the law!

Inspector-san, you've got some nasty mosquito bites there.

Been chasing girls in the woods again?

Toyoji-san... I brought you cakes and tea.

Funeral cakes most likely.

The Inspector could come tonight.

Seki-san, it doesn't matter anymore. I'll say killing Gisaburo was all my idea.

You had no part in it... knew nothing about it.

When Hotta arrests me... I'll say I did it... that Seki-san's completely innocent.

Toyoji-san, don't say that!

Funny thing is... I'm not afraid anymore.

Toyoji-san... tell me something.

I shouldn't be asking but... Toyoji-san, did you kill the young master?

Toyoji-san...

Tell me... I don't understand... you killed him, to silence him...

so he couldn't implicate us, now he's dead, why confess?

True, I killed him so we'd be safe.

Only, it doesn't matter whether I live or not now.

I couldn't live without you!

Listen... Seki-san, you have to go on living.

What if they arrest us? They won't hurt us, will they?

They'll probably cane us.

When young, I saw a man caned...

You�re stripped and bound, hand and foot,

stroked and stroked with a cane till given a hundred strokes.

Completely naked?

It's a horrible torture, your back's laid raw... your flesh is torn open.

No one can stand it, the agony's unbearable.

Forget it! Don't think about it.

Remember, you didn't kill Gisaburo. You didn't do it.

You had nothing to do with it. You know nothing.

But, how can I forget he's in the well?

Gisaburo's still there... ...still down there.

Gisaburo doesn't exist.

There's no more body. There's nothing left by now.

Yes there is! He's still there in the well.

The body's there, slowly rotting...

What's it look like now?

You know, we have to get the body out.

Get it out of there, and bury it.

We can't do that.

We have to.

I don't see how...

Gisaburo's ghost loves you. He wouldn't want you to be hurt.

He wouldn't let them arrest you.

I can't see!

Oh, my eyes!

My eyes... I can't see!

I can't see! I can't see!

What's wrong with you?

Toyoji-san... I'm blind!

Can you see this? - No, I can't

Look at me! Look at my face! - But, I can't see!

Toyoji-san, Hold me... Toyoji-san!

Toyoji-san...

Seki-san...

Toyoji-san...

Oh Seki-san...

is it true, you really can't see?

You know... I'm not young any longer.

I thought we agreed that age didn't matter to us.

Toyoji-san, you must get away from here. ...there's still time.

I told you... I'm not afraid anymore.

I'm not either.

I did it! You had nothing to do with it.

Escape while you can. Don't stay any longer.

Then we'll both go... far as we can.

No, I can't go! - Why not? I can guide you.

I'd only be a burden to you.

I've always been a burden draging you down.

Seki-san, wouldn't you be sad... if we had to part?

I'd rather die. Life would be meaningless without you.

As long as we live, we'll be together.

Only death can separate us now.

You don't have to die with me.

You must go on living for me.

Not alone!

Then... Kill me!

Then take your own life.

I can't!

You said you weren't afraid of anything.

Toyoji... you know... a little later...

while I'm asleep... do it then.

Toyoji-san... look at me now.

I know... I'm not beautiful anymore.

But look at me, so you'll always remember me.

Seki-san...

Toyoji-san... can you still love me?

Seki-san... open your eyes as if you were really looking at me!

You are very beautiful!

Toyoji-san...

Toyoji-san... let me touch you.

- Toyoji-san! - Oh Seki-san!

Kill me, please!

I beg you to kill me!

Promise you'll kill me while I'm asleep!

Still say you didn't kill him?

No, I didn't! I didn't kill him!

Mount Shibano was the place of torture.

The two were arrested, bound, and taken to the mountain.

On Mount Shibano, they were hung from the great oak tree

where the excruciating torment began.

Inspector Hotta was determined to extract their confession.

Without it, he himself would be ruined.

Time and again, the bamboo rods cut the air.

landing their cruel blows on the helpless, swinging bodies.

Seki lost consciousness again and again.

Each time she did... they used a bucket of cold water to revive her.

Her face was soon hidden, her hair sticky with blood.

Not a trace of her former beauty remained.

Finally crazed with pain, they admitted their terrible crime.

I murdered him! I did it alone!

No, it was I who did it!

There was a hint of autumn in the air on Mt. Hacho.

A chill breeze rustled through the forest,

touching the first leaves with colour.

Softly, they swirled to the ground.

Slowly, slowly, the villagers gathered by the well,

as the unrecognizable remains of Gisaburo were pulled steadily up to the light.

For three long years, he had lain in the dark.

Now, as they saw Gisaburo, they were stunned into silence.

Although his features were decayed beyond recognition,

the rope could still be seen around his neck.

At that moment, Toyoji lowered his gaze.

But Seki, suddenly uttered a heart-rending shriek.

Had her sightless eyes somehow recognized her Gisaburo?

The autumn leaves fell. Several years went by.

Mount Hacho's woods became green, then gold,

then white again, as winter returned.

One day, gossip reached the town of the two lovers,

who'd been all but forgotten.

According to some old gossips,

Seki and her lover had been condemned to death, and executed.

THE END