Original subtitles

TOHO presents

THE LADY OF MUSASHlNO

Producer: Hideo Koi

Author: Shohei Oka

Writers: Tsuneari Fukuda, Yoshikata Yoda

Original Music: Fumio Hayasaka

Cinematography: Masao Tamai

Cast:

Kinuyo Tanaka as Michiko Akiyama

Yukiko Todoroki as Tomiko Ono

Masayuki Mori as Tadao Akiyama

Akihiko Katayama as Tsutomu Miyaji

So Yamamura as Eiji Ono

Eitaro Shindo, Kiyoko Hirai

Minako Nakamura, Noriko Sengoku, Taizo Hukami

Director: Kenji Mizoguchi

They're bombing Tokyo now.

Where have Michiko and her husband got to?

This time maybe their luck's run out.

Father!

Mother!

Michiko, what's happened?

We've been bombed out!

You'd better come inside.

So you've been bombed now.

At least you're both all right.

Michiko had me worried, though.

lf looks could kill! And just because l was a bit scared.

Well, you didn't once ask me if l was all right, did you?

Because you didn't seem worried.

She's a real handful!

lt's because of her samurai blood.

l'm only a poor professor of peasant stock.

lt's better to be scared than to die in this stupid war.

You're both safe, that's the important thing.

We were really worried.

after what they'd been saying on the radio.

l've been a real burden on your father.

We're glad you're both here to lend him a hand.

lt's over.

That's a relief.

l'm glad l had all my books sent here.

The war will be over soon.

and then my books will start earning me some money.

Shall we go and see Eiji?

How is Eiji Ono?

His munitions factory won't be busy much longer!

- Do you want Japan to lose? - What?

lt's a disgrace! The Meiji Restoration let riff-raff govern us,

and look at the result!

- Go and wake Yukiko, please. - Yes, ma'am.

Tomiko!

How nice to see you!

- Are you going shopping? - Hardly!

We've been bombed out.

Really?

Awful, wasn't it?

But now you're our neighbours.

- That'll be nice. - Yes.

Here's my husband. Been out all night.

A ''military do''... Geishas, in other words!

Hello there!

Break a few hearts, did you?

What?

- Your turn last night, was it? - That's right!

They got you in the end, eh?

Thanks for taking care of my parents.

lt's no trouble.

So you'll be staying there a while?

Yes, rent-free.

No disrespect to Michiko, but the old man is really stubborn.

l'll keep my distance.

That's the best policy! Come on in...

What rations did you get?

Something nasty.

Potato starch again?

Potassium cyanide.

l hope l die naturally before it comes to that.

The army said to hand it out to anyone who wants it.

That's ridiculous! The Allies aren't savages.

But it's safer to take it, isn't it?

Take it if you want

but l certainly won't.

l'm not moving from here, whatever happens.

l can't leave this land.

The Miyaji family has lived here for centuries.

You should dig a bomb shelter, then.

- How horrible! - What?

What is it, Michiko?

Mother... it's a human skull!

What?

Here, a human skull.

Perhaps the ancient inhabitants of Musashino buried their dead here.

That would explain

why Michiko's brothers died young. lt was a curse!

Don't be silly.

Carry on digging. We might find some stone axe-heads.

There are lots of ruins around here.

People settled in this area because of all the fresh water.

What are we going to do? lf we're living on a graveyard,

the Miyaji family will all die out.

Stop talking nonsense!

We've lived here for generations and we're still here now.

The end came much too suddenly.

Was it all that fretting about the skull we found?

l don't know who are happier, the dead or the living.

How terrible that her last days had to be during this awful war.

l was a real burden to her.

When l started working on the railways,

she had to work, too, and even pawn our possessions,

while all the time l was just squandering our money.

But your mother never showed the slightest sign of disapproval.

She always stuck by me, patient to the last.

Shall we go to the graveyard, then?

- Michiko... - Yes?

Are you two getting on all right?

Things seem a bit strained between you and Akiyama.

The thing is, Michiko...

You're not really very good at dealing with people, are you?

Father, don't!

l've said too much, have l?

You know, at first,

l wasn't very keen on your marrying him.

But it was what you wanted.

And that's just like you,

thinking you can simply have whatever takes your fancy.

Michiko...

your husband's a vulgar fellow.

You should watch out.

He's your husband now,

and there's nothing you can do about it.

But you should work together to keep the Miyaji family going.

Why are you making such a point of this?

Your mother's dead now,

and l'm worried that l won't be here much longer.

l think it's time these things were said.

Don't, father! lf you died as well, l'd...

Hey, l'm not about to die! l'm not going to die.

What are you crying for?

Shall we go and see your mother's grave, then?

The bomb they used wasn't the conventional sort.

One huge flash which burns everything!

An atomic bomb, wasn't it?

lt's the end of the world.

This ministerial reshuffle means they're preparing to surrender.

We don't know that yet.

You're out of luck, Ono!

Your factory won't be getting any more orders.

But you've already made a killing from this war.

You haven't done too badly yourself.

Me, how?.

Malnourishment has killed off lots of people in this war,

young and old alike.

lncluding your father-in-law.

All of a sudden you're a property owner!

Michiko inherited everything.

Really? The house and land and everything?

l don't think he trusted me.

lt's hot!

lt comes to the same thing.

Michiko understands that what's hers is yours.

She seems to think it belongs to you, her cousin, too.

Anyway, l've got money coming in.

Don't worry. l'm not so stingy as to want a woman's property.

There's another cousin, remember: Tsutomu.

Yes, you're right.

He went off to war really young.

We haven't heard from him since that letter from Burma.

He's probably dead by now.

He looked so sweet in his uniform.

Michiko and l cried.

l hope he's not dead.

He's a handsome lad, eh?

Talking of Tsutomu, where's his father got to?

He's a chief of staff. He doesn't have time for his brother's funeral.

lf Tsutomu comes back you'll get less of a share.

He's like a brother to Michiko.

Yukiko!

Three years have passed already.

lt's a different world now that the war's over.

Everybody seems to be running around in a fever.

There are no morals any more.

But l'll never forget what you taught me, father.

l'm doing my best to keep the Miyaji family going.

Father...

Mother...

Please help me.

Hello!

Hello.

l'm back.

Tsutomu!

How wonderful! How wonderful!

Come on inside.

Haven't you been home yet?

l'll go to my stepmother's later.

Really, Tsutomu! She must be waiting for you.

Your father took the honourable way out.

Dad was a coward.

What's so honourable about hara-kiri?

All soldiers are cheats.

Make yourself at home.

l'm really pleased to find you well.

Thank you.

lt's been so long... You did a very fine job.

lt's five years since l last saw you.

Exactly. l was so happy to hear.

that you were alive and well in a POW camp in Singapore.

l cried when l got your letter.

Really? Take your jacket off.

- You've had it tough, as well. - You're sweet...

- l hear Mr Akiyama's doing well. - Yes, with this publishing boom.

His Stendhal translation has been reprinted.

So he's not interested in this property?

No.

Things will be hard for you now. What are you going to do?

l haven't thought about it.

- You'll be going back to university? - Yes.

Here's Tomiko.

Tsutomu! Welcome home!

- l've just got here. - How wonderful!

lt's great to have you back in one piece.

You were smart.

Only the stupid ones died.

Clever people aren't bullet-proof!

The bullets didn't want to hit such a nice young boy!

- He's really grown, hasn't he? - lndeed.

lt's wonderful!

What do you think about letting him stay here?

We've got a spare room.

Why don't you go to your mother's?

l don't like it there.

l'd be so happy if l could stay here.

l often dreamt of Musashino when l was in battle.

Really?

Simple, green, beautiful... That's Musashino.

Nostalgia, eh?

Yes, homesick for Japan.

ls Musashino really that beautiful?

Does Musashino really exist any more?

lt's become part of Tokyo. Where is Musashino now?.

You don't understand.

Don't be horrible!

Darling...

No, stop it! This place is no fun for him.

Young people prefer their own company.

l don't know if you've heard

but your friends are all having lots of fun.

What friends?

The Narita youngsters. Go and stay with them.

That Narita lad is living with his sister in Gotanda.

l hear he has lots of fun with the female students.

That sounds like fun. l might go and join them!

You can't do that.

lt sounds great. l'd join them if l were younger.

No, l don't want Tsutomu to go off with them.

She's inherited her parents' stoic outlook.

You shouldn't listen to what she says.

Enjoy yourself.

A handsome lad like you will have a great time.

A modern-day Julien Sorel!

Take the Japanese equivalent:

Hideyoshi, the lowly soldier who became shogun.

Just like Stendhal's Julien Sorel.

They were both ambitious and free-spirited in a similar way.

But...

then came along Tokugawa leyasu and an age of rationalism.

He consolidated the feudal system.

and used Confucianism to help maintain this system.

Confucianism exalts loyalty and filial piety.

This led to an erosion of basic freedoms,

creating a restrictive and uninteresting society.

This is how things remained until very recently.

ln the lower classes, therefore,

the only form of rebellion was to commit suicide or adultery.

That's my theory, anyway!

l believe, therefore, that adultery is an expression of free will.

Students of the apr�s-guerre, what do you think?

Hey, you!

Coming to class in your army trousers and boots?

Why are you still dressed like that?

So that l don't forget the war.

Hello, Tsutomu.

They're playing your favourite piece of classical music. Listen.

Harue, can you introduce me?

This is more your style!

Tsutomu, this is Takako.

Nice to meet you.

Une amie of my brother!

Here he is now.

Hey, Narita...

You won't be using your flat today, will you?

With you everything just seems so hopeless.

Hopeless?

Do you know what love is?

Do you?

No...

Sleeping with you and your friends is making me sad.

There has to be more than this between men and women.

What we want

is to concentrate on the body,

tease and excite it more,

so that it becomes a cathartic experience.

l think that's what love is.

Don't talk nonsense!

lf you tease your body, all you'll do is damage it.

More passion...

Something limpid and clear as a stream...

- ls that Akiyama's? - Yes.

Looking after your husband...

He's a lucky man.

l've never done that for mine.

You don't have to.

Even if l had to, l wouldn't!

What are you going to do about Tsutomu?

There's no telling how he'll end up.

What if he stayed in my house and taught Yukiko English?

You and l could keep an eye on him.

l couldn't allow that. lt might cause all sorts of trouble.

Why?

He's my cousin.

So he can live here and come over to teach.

Yes, the sooner the better! l'll go and fetch him.

Tomiko!

Were you waiting for me?

Where's Tsutomu?

He's not around at this time of day.

Where, then? ln his flat?

How should l know?. What are you doing here?

l want to ask him a favour.

You need a favour off a young chap like that?

Most peculiar!

Shall we go for tea?

Come on.

A nice place, eh?

lt's where l meet my publisher.

What do you want to talk about?

Tomiko...

Don't you think...

..that Michiko treats you and me

like complete outsiders?

ln a way, l suppose.

She thinks of herself as the Miyaji heiress,

and Ono and Tsutomu as her allies. l can't bear it!

lt's natural to feel that way about blood relations.

How about you and l raising the flag of revolt?

What do you mean by that?

Tomiko...

l know...

..that you went out with someone else before you married Ono.

Even after, apparently.

So what?

Now l know what you mean about raising the flag of revolt.

How do you plan to do that, then?

lf you'd just act freely for once, without Stendhal's backing,

l might respect you.

l would... if you were willing.

Go on, then, do it!

- Not if you're not being serious. - Stop lying!

lt's better for you if l'm not serious.

l'm not some cheap floozy!

Real life isn't like Stendhal's novels, is it?

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Hello.

Why did you agree to Tsutomu tutoring Yukiko?

You should have asked me.

Why do you never pay any attention to me?

Apparently, Tsutomu's turning into a bit of a hoodlum.

l had to invite him here.

Otherwise, Tomiko would have taken him in.

lt would look odd if he didn't come here.

Tomiko's whims get on my nerves.

l can teach her daughter English!

l'm sorry l didn't ask you but please let him stay here.

He has to pay for his keep, he can't bring any girlfriends here,

and you're responsible

for keeping an eye on Tomiko and him.

Understand?

''Sea''.

-What's that in Japanese? -UMI, isn't it?

And YAMA?

That's ''mount''. M, O, U, N, T.

- And TANI? - ''Valley''.

Very good!

l learnt it at school today.

That explains it!

Don't you want to say hello to our guests?

No.

lsn't that a bit rude?

Don't be so precocious!

- Everyone's always saying that. - l give up!

- Tsutomu? - Call me ''sir''!

- That sounds funny. - No, it's normal.

That's enough study for today.

- Don't you want to join us? - No, l'm going home.

Because Michiko's waiting? Don't you want to eat here?

lt's not that... Akiyama's here, isn't he?

Yet again!

You should at least say hello.

See you tomorrow.

And you can teach me more difficult stuff!

Tsutomu, this is Mr Kaizuka, our company lawyer.

This is the lad we were telling you about.

Pleased to meet you.

Carry on, Akiyama.

They're in favour of decriminalising adultery

because they think...

..it won't actually change anyone's moral stance.

That's the establishment view and it's utter nonsense!

lt should be decriminalised because it's not morally wrong.

ln any case, laying all the blame on the woman.

while the man gets off scot-free isn't right.

Exactly!

This equality business

says that since women aren't free, men shouldn't be either.

lt'd be simpler just to give women the same freedom as men.

lt's all the same to me.

l've never heard of any man enduring the shame

of publicly admitting that his wife was cheating on him.

Tomiko...

Sounds like he's giving you the green light.

You should liberate Michiko, too!

l'll liberate her whenever she wants.

Tsutomu, have a drink. l know what you soldiers are like.

- No, l have to go. - Have a bite to eat first

No, sorry.

Let him go.

Weren't they entertaining?

Didn't you talk to their guests?

- l didn't feel comfortable. - Why?

l'm sorry but l can't stand Akiyama.

What about you?

Tell me the truth.

He doesn't love me.

There's nothing l can do about that now.

Don't you mind?

l...

l can't do my duty as a wife.

lt's my fault.

What do you mean?

That's all l can say. But Akiyama's as much to blame.

What do you mean?

Look, l found all these books about Musashino.

Father collected lots of them.

Oh, yes... They're wonderful!

l want to know everything about Musashino.

Shall we go for a walk around old Musashino sometime?

When we were children

and you came to visit, we'd come here to catch cicadas

and collect flowers.

Yes, and acorns in autumn.

They were great times.

Your nickname was ''broad bean''.

Because my forehead and chin stuck out,

and my nose was so small.

lt's not like that now.

l wonder when your nose grew.

Stop staring at me! l don't like it.

Listen! Can you hear the sound of running water?

Yes, you're right.

l wondered where all the water in Musashino came from.

The stream by the house is only six feet across.

lt must be because of all these springs.

Yes.

Musashino...

..is so natural and wild.

But it's also gentle...

lt's free, spontaneous, unforced...

bursting with health, full of life

and unspoilt.

l'm still not convinced a few springs account for all the water

in Musashino.

lt looks like l was right.

lt didn't seem possible, all that water from just springs.

Here's the real source!

Seeing you in such a good mood makes me so happy.

Excuse me! What's the name of this spot?

Love Hollow.

''Love Hollow''?

A long time ago,

the village prostitute jumped into this pond

because she loved a famous warrior who went away to war.

That's why they call it Love Hollow.

l suppose that's what real love is.

Michiko...

What?

You've made me so happy, taking such good care of me.

You're my cousin.

Like Eiji Ono.

But you're my cousin on my father's side.

ls that the only reason?

lt's not, is it?

What are you talking about?

l came back because l wanted to help you.

l thought you felt something special for me.

l didn't mean for you...

l thought

that if you'd carried on you'd have got into bad ways,

and if that had happened

l'd have felt l was letting your father down.

Really...

l understand.

l got the wrong impression.

Forget what l said.

l'm so stupid.

Yes, you are.

Shall we go home?

l'm tired.

- Michiko, what's wrong? - l feel dizzy.

Don't touch me!

l just need to rest a little.

lt's been happening now and then, ever since the war.

Michiko, bring me my yukata.

Where are you going?

To Ono's for a little while.

- Fetch his yukata, would you? - Yes, ma'am.

lt's really humid.

See you later.

- What is it? - Any barley tea?

l'll get you some.

You shouldn't! Not without Akiyama's permission.

lt doesn't matter, he's gone out.

You like classical music, don't you?

- You like it, too, don't you? - Yes.

lt's started raining.

l hope it rains a lot.

Father,

don't worry.

As Akiyama's wife,

my conduct has been irreproachable.

l won't do anything to disgrace the Miyaji family.

l swear it.

Tsutomu, you haven't been around for a while.

l hear you're besotted with your beautiful cousin.

You made her cry, you bad lad!

l never cried!

Stop making up stories!

But l saw the two of you walking by the river.

Yes, Takako went all that way to see you.

lt's not true.

l just went to have a laugh at him.

Him with his pure and noble lady!

Back already?

What's the matter?

l think it's better

if l go back to live in the flat in Gotanda.

Why do you say that?

Don't you like it here?

Tsutomu,

it must be because of me.

Did Akiyama say something?

No.

Akiyama hasn't been very welcoming, l must admit.

But l'd put up with any hardship

just to keep you under this roof.

lf he makes you feel unwelcome

just ignore him.

You're paying for your keep so you've nothing to feel bad about.

Eating dinner already?

Tsutomu, you were supposed to come and teach Yukiko.

l've got to revise for an exam tonight.

lt looks like a real feast! Am l invited?

Of course.

What about Akiyama?

There's plenty.

ln that case...

Anyone would think you two were going to a funeral!

Yukiko, look!

- lt's lovely. - Where's madam?

She said she was going for a walk, sir.

Here she comes now.

lsn't it a beauty?

Give it back.

Ah, it's you.

l bought a doll for Yukiko.

Thank you.

Could you come in for a minute?

What is it?

There's something odd going on between Michiko and Tsutomu.

No!

Are you worried? You should leave them to it.

Practise what you preach!

Don't make fun of me!

Tell me the truth! What's been going on between you two?

Keep your voice down, please.

lf you've nothing to be ashamed of, then let him hear us!

Tell me the truth! Even Tomiko noticed something was up.

You know what Tomiko's like, don't you?

And you believe her before your own wife?

l wouldn't ask you if that were so.

How can we go on living together if you don't trust me?

lt would never cross my mind to betray you.

- What is it? - Nothing.

You two look so lovey-dovey!

There's nothing wrong with being lovey-dovey!

Be quiet! What do you know about it?

What do you mean?

You should learn from them.

Anyway, it's too late for us to change now.

We're stuck this way, Michiko.

Don't embarrass me.

Yukiko, share your teacher with everyone.

No, it's my birthday party!

So he has to be with me.

Don't be cheeky!

lt's time for bed. Come on, l'll take you.

- Can you read Alice in Wonderland? - Yes.

ln that case l'll go to bed. Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Tsutomu, come in here. Yukiko wants to ask you something.

- This way. - Where's Yukiko?

Forget that. l wanted a word with you.

The thing is...

Michiko and Akiyama seem very affectionate, don't they?

Do you think so?

- Doesn't it bother you? - What do you mean?

You're in love with Michiko, aren't you?

Akiyama seizes any opportunity to try to seduce me.

He uses his adultery theory to justify it.

So?

lf you love Michiko, you should tell her about it.

Michiko will never leave Akiyama.

That's the sort of person she is.

So, for Michiko's sake, you have to steal me from Akiyama.

You don't understand how lonely l am, do you?

You think l'm just happy-go-lucky.

Tsutomu...

Michiko doesn't know how to appreciate your love.

She has no passion.

Akiyama.

Yes?

Can l have a word?

Shall we go away together, just you and l?

What?

Are you pulling my leg?

l'm perfectly serious.

Michiko, you should watch out.

So should you.

You're too lenient with Tomiko.

Don't worry. Akiyama's not her type.

l have more important things to worry about.

l want to ask a favour of you, Michiko.

What?

The thing is,

my factory isn't doing too well at the moment.

Could you mortgage your land, not the house, as security?

This is very sudden.

lt's only temporary, and there's no risk to you.

l'll pay you ten per cent a month. Please help me.

But l inherited the land and the house from my father.

They belong to the Miyaji family. l can't decide alone.

lt's all right, we're family.

lf you say yes, l can get things underway tomorrow.

Please say yes.

l'm begging you.

Nobody understands how lonely l am.

l think l understand.

No.

Everyone thinks l've got no morals.

l can't be content with my lot, the way Michiko can.

Shall we seek contentment together?

No. There's no way you'll ever leave Michiko.

l will.

But for me to do that you'll have to leave Ono.

You do it first, then l'll think about it.

You could have a pretext for leaving Michiko. Want to hear it?

What pretext?

What do you think Michiko and Ono are talking about?

No idea.

He wants her to mortgage her land as security for a loan.

Security?

You've agreed, haven't you?

The time has come for us to get divorced!

l know l have my faults...

l'm not talking about that.

l know you've been a devoted wife

but that's not the point!

At my age,

how much happiness can l look forward to, once l'm divorced?

There's Tsutomu.

Our relationship isn't like that.

l don't know if you've realised,

but l'm in love with Tomiko.

She's going to leave Ono.

She'll never do that.

lt's none of your business.

Ono is my cousin,

so l can't ignore it if they're having problems.

Whatever she might say, Tomiko wouldn't be that reckless.

You'll see!

l'm going to my parents' house. l'll ask you again when l come back.

Please change your mind.

l won't complain any more, whatever you do.

But please don't divorce me!

l don't think you'll be happy, either.

Don't worry about me.

lf we get divorced, you and Tsutomu can be together.

l've heard enough. Go home!

lt was never my idea to marry Ono.

l was forced into it.

How you got into it isn't important. Marriage is a commitment.

No. lt means putting up with a husband you don't love.

Ono has to put up with you, too! That's what marriage is.

But Ono does whatever he likes outside the house.

l've got to meet someone. Excuse me.

Tomiko...

Tomiko.

You're late!

l wish l knew how to help you.

Don't bother yourself about me.

l'm starting to hate all the husbands in the world.

- They're all rotten sods! - Tsutomu!

That's no way to think.

They're all scoundrels. l'm one, too,

but at least l'm trying to eradicate that part of me.

Let's not talk about that.

Just concentrate on Musashino, nothing else.

Shall we go to Murayama reservoir?

lt's by Sayama hill, isn't it?

You said you wanted to go there.

We can get there and back before nightfall.

Shall we?

Sayama hill used to be part of the Tamagawa delta,

but nowadays it's 150 metres above sea level.

Really?

Excuse me! Have you got an umbrella?

Where are you going?

lt's very dangerous.

Here you are.

Could we wait it out anywhere?

There's a hotel just over there.

lt's OK, let's just go home.

Thank you.

There's nothing for it, we'll have to stay here.

Do you have a room?

Could you show us?

Just a second, please.

- Up you go. - Follow me.

Make yourselves at home.

What shall we do? The rain's getting harder.

We'll have to wait for it to stop.

We can't go home in this.

But if we stay here all night, Akiyama will...

Akiyama's gone to his parents'. We'll be back by morning.

l hope he really has gone. l find it hard to believe.

lf he's somewhere close and goes home...

No, Tsutomu, don't!

Forgive me... Tsutomu!

We have to behave properly, whatever happens.

You think that because Akiyama does whatever he wants,

we can do whatever we want too, don't you?

But the more selfishly Akiyama behaves,

the more correctly we should behave.

You say that because you don't love me.

That's not true.

l have to behave correctly for your sake.

That just means you don't care about me.

You're torturing me.

l want to help you, Michiko. l want to take you from that house.

Love is freedom, freedom is power!

Morality is the only power.

You have to understand that.

Tsutomu... you must believe me when l tell you...

..that l love you.

But l will only do what l think is right.

You only love yourself!

- That's not true. - lt is!

Or why bring up morality now?.

That's cowardly.

lt's all my fault.

l believe there's something greater than morality.

What?

- One's word. - One's word?

lf we really love each other,

if we swear we'll always be true

and never break that oath,

then society itself will start to change.

The time will come when we can be together

without hurting ourselves or anyone else.

lt won't happen during our lifetime.

- l don't mind. - What?

Tsutomu, please swear this oath.

- But... - Please trust me and swear it.

Swear on what?

- l don't know. - lt's ridiculous!

l don't know but there's something...

God?

Perhaps.

l'm not sure God exists.

lf we're not sure, we must believe!

lt's like you believing in freedom.

l also believe l have a destiny on this earth.

Who decided your destiny for you?

Who decided that human beings are free?

l don't mind if our morality is wrong.

Our oath will raise us above that.

But everyone's unhappy.

lf there are more and more unhappy people,

morality will change.

Please swear this oath.

Swear it, please!

Swear it!

l wonder if Akiyama's back.

l hope not.

lt doesn't matter if he is.

We haven't done anything wrong.

People don't think like that. Especially Akiyama.

But if he's back...?

He'll never forgive me.

What will you do then?

l'll be vindicated in the end.

- Good morning, ma'am. - Good morning.

What a relief! Akiyama hasn't been back.

l'm not coming in.

What's the matter?

Tell me.

l don't think l can keep that oath if l go on living here.

l'm leaving.

Perhaps that's for the best.

Send on my belongings. l don't want to risk seeing Akiyama.

Or Tomiko.

At least have something to eat before you go.

Goodbye.

l won't be seeing this scenery for a while.

For a while... or maybe for ever.

What's wrong, Tsutomu?

What do you take me for? l'm not a tart!

Michiko.

Michiko!

lsn't Akiyama here?

- Where is he? - Gone to his parents'.

- His parents'? - Yes.

Quick, check your documents.

- What for? - The title deed to your house.

- What's happened? - Tomiko's left home.

She's run off with Akiyama.

l think Akiyama has power of attorney regarding this house

because he's paid property tax on it.

lf he has the title deed he could sell it.

He's as good as stolen your house!

ls it there?

lt's not?

Just as l feared

What will l do if l lose my land and my house?

All l've been through will have no meaning.

My duty...

You once told me l was too lenient with Tomiko.

But you were the same with Akiyama and now it's too late.

lsn't there any way to stop them?

No.

Not unless you died before he sold it.

lf l died?

Yes. That would invalidate his power of attorney.

But that's out of the question, of course.

Who would inherit the property then?

What?

Stop it, Michiko!

No, l'm just asking. Hypothetically speaking...

lf you wrote a will,

you could give two thirds of the property to whomever you liked.

Bloody hell! lt's more than l can bear!

There's no point

getting angry with them.

lt's nobody's fault but mine.

l feel sorry for you.

But...

please forgive Akiyama.

Father, what shall l do?

What shall l do?

Father...

The documents are incomplete.

Can't you do anything?

l'm sorry but we can't help you.

How did it go?

Not very well.

No one's interested.

Use it as security, then.

l tried that but we'd need a signed agreement from Michiko.

Didn't you check that beforehand?

lt was all so sudden.

You mean l asked you so suddenly?

Could you go to your sister's in Osaka for a while?

l'll fetch you when it's sorted out.

l thought you'd say that.

But l don't want you to come. Go back to Michiko!

- Shall we go? - No, l'm staying.

You'll miss the last train.

l don't want to go anywhere on a train!

- Shall we go to our hotel? - No.

l don't want to go to the hotel, home or anywhere!

You go home on your own!

- Tomiko! - Hey!

Tomiko...

Leave me alone! Gotanda.

What? Hey, stop!

What?

Michiko! Michiko!

Wake up! Wake up!

Hey, Michiko!

Fast asleep, are you?

Wake up. Come on, wake up...

Michiko...

Ono!

Eiji!

Eiji!

Ono!

- What is it? - Ono!

lt's horrible!

What's the matter?

What's wrong?

lt's horrible...

ls this the Miyaji household? Express letter for you.

Thank you.

lt's from Michiko.

''By the time you read this letter l will be dead...''

What?

You like Musashino, don't you, Tsutomu?

l'll help you...

..make your dream come true.

The storm's getting worse.

lt's getting worse and worse...

No...

Whatever happens between us two...

our relationship must be beyond reproach.

l can't breathe...

There's some medicine left, isn't there?

Give me some.

No.

l have to die, otherwise...

l'll never be able to make you happy.

l've done all l can, but her heart's very weak.

All we can do now is wait.

Michiko...

You're so lucky.

l can't do what you've done.

l can't do it...

l have to go on living...

..a loneliness worse than death.

Stop it!

Who brought her to this?

Akiyama and Tomiko.

She did it to stop the two of you.

lt's not my fault. Akiyama's to blame.

lt's too late for that now.

Who pushed me to Akiyama?

lt was you, wasn't it?

Well, Akiyama?

l think you share some of the blame...

l don't mean that.

What do you feel about what you've done?

l regret it.

What will you do when she's better?

Well...

l'm going to try...

..to make her happy as my wife.

But you'll go on playing around whenever you get the chance.

All men are the same.

lt's you men who brought her to this!

Tsutomu, too. You're pathetic!

Doctor, doctor!

lt's the end.

Here...

Michiko's will.

ln it she bequeaths two thirds of her property to Tsutomu.

Tsutomu, where are you going?

l don't want anything. You can have it.

By the time you read this Ietter

I wiII be dead.

But before I go

there is something I must teII you.

Your beIoved, beautifuI Musashino

onIy exists in your dreams.

It's a sentimentaI idea.

Factories and schooIs...

and...

the dynamic new deveIopment

of the city of Tokyo...

..are the reaIity of Musashino.

You have to start again, using aII that as your base.

LastIy...

I'm so happy that we kept our oath.

I...

..wiII be watching over you for ever.

For ever... for ever...

THE END