December 1933 (Shōwa 8)
Grownups often say that I always daydream in the day.
Hey! Where are you heading to?
I'm delivering nori to Futaba in Nakajima Honmachi.
Usually my brother takes care of this, but today he is sick with a cold...
So I must fu... fulfill...
It's okay. You don't have to be so formal.
Don't sit over there, there's scattered gravel everywhere.
First I'll deliver the nori, then I'll buy stuff for my brother and sister and go home.
I see...
Look.
We are almost there.
Oh! Stop gazing off into space!
Hiroshima New Year's Sale
Chocolate - 10 sen.
A large packet of caramel - 10 sen, small - 5 sen.
Yo-yo - 10 sen.
So, pull it up, pull up.
I want the red one.
Please come in.
Thank you very much for your patronage.
♪ The radiance of the sky above ♪
♪ flows into my heart. ♪
♪ Today, I again gaze far away in the distance ♪
♪ and the tears trickle down my cheeks. ♪
♪ The white clouds keep drifting past in the sky ♪
♪ while my dreams are tangled about. ♪
♪ Wavering and fleeting above, ♪
♪ Sadness enveloping all of me. ♪
♪ it pains me to think, ♪
♪ This forever feeling of emptiness. ♪
♪ Will salvation ever come and save me? ♪
In This
I lost my way in the city.
Then I saw an old man carrying a basket.
Suzu-chan, who is this?
A monster.
Eh?
He said to me, "Climb up here and look in the telescope".
Wow! I can see real clearly!
I fell inside the basket, and there was an older boy.
He's a kidnapper, we're being kidnapped.
That's very bad.
I need to return by evening to feed the chickens.
I also need to meet my father at the train station to go home.
Me too, me too...
If I don't get home before sunset, I will be in trouble.
What's the trouble with him?
Now, see for yourself.
Hey Mister! Mister!
What is it?
There's something strange here, take a look.
Let me see.
At night, the monsters sleep soundly.
We're leaving him without dinner, poor fellow.
Thank you, Urano Suzu.
Oh, how do you know my name?
"Thank you, Urano Suzu".
Hey, stop making so much noise!
Maybe I was daydreaming again.
But everything that happened that day was like a dream.
August 1935 (Shōwa 10)
The tide came in last night.
And this morning the tide has gone out.
We're going to cross the sea without grownups for the first time. That's great!
I'll say, "Good morning, uncle, aunt and grandmother from Kusatsu."
And I'll say "Our parents will join us later".
"Please have this watermelon."
Ah! Let me have it, I want to carry it!
Quiet!
Here, it's your turn to carry it.
My brother is always mean.
Wait...
Good morning.
Our parents will...
Here... the watermelon...
Thanks, our ancestors will appreciate it.
Oh my... What a lovely young lady you are.
Every year my grandmother sews a new kimono for me.
Here we are.
Mom and Dad returned from shopping in the city and we all went to the family grave.
The weather is good.
How's business now in Eba?
Well, things are getting pretty tough.
Is that so?
A lot of things happened.
But it's not all bad being young.
I think it lets me see things differently.
Good afternoon.
Say... do you want me to get you more watermelon?
Grandma...
Hey, the tide will be coming in soon.
Come on, wake up.
And you too, Sumi.
Come on.
Put it in the corner, she'll eat it later.
Uh-huh, tell me... if I leave her the kimono, will she wear it?
Suzu-chan, you're such a kind girl.
They mentioned in school that it was a Zashiki-warashi house spirit.
My brother explained everything to me.
At dusk, everything looked hazy but gentle.
You left your new kimono in Kusatsu?
Go swim there and get it back. Idiot!
My brother is the devil himself.
I forgot how terrible my brother can be.
February 1938 (Shōwa 13)
Suzu, put it lower!
The wind will blow it away.
Uh-huh.
Mom, can I have a couple of sen.
My pencil's worn out.
You can buy one when you get your allowance.
You need to stop drawing horrible stuff.
Sumi, do you want to exchange pencils with me?
Nope.
Suzu, is Mizuhara Tetsu at school every day?
Eh? I think so...
It's cold!
The pencil is so short.
Will it even last a week?
You shouldn't throw stuff in there.
What?
Ahh!!!
There's nothing here.
Ah! Hey Mizuhara!
My ma told me to tell you...
to ask your mom if there's...
anything she can do to help her with...
Heck if I know.
Hey! This will do great!
Eh!
What are you doing!
Oy! You should give that back, Mizuhara!
Give it back!
Ah! I just dropped my other pencil in here yesterday!
Suzu-chan, you poor thing...
Just dip these in ink and write with them instead!
Ow! Ow! Ow!
Stop it! It hurts!
Ah! I forgot the girl's unwritten rule that when you see Mizuhara, you turn and run.
Draw anything you want today.
You can go home when it is done.
Yes!
What should we draw?
Hmm, not bad.
Good work, Urano.
Suzu-chan is such a good artist.
It almost makes up for you napping all morning!
I'm home!
I'll go and collect some dry pine needles.
Be careful.
Mizuhara, you won't be able to go home until you finish your drawing.
Go home?
My parents drink all day, they don't even collect nori.
I don't want to draw the sea... I hate it.
Urano, give me your hand.
This is for you.
Can I keep it?
It's my brother's pencil, I have plenty more.
The rabbits are jumping today.
The sea was like this when his ship capsized at New Year's.
Draw something for me, even this stupid sea.
Mizuhara, what did you mean earlier?
What?
Ah... the white waves looks like white rabbits hopping.
Mizuhara, please take my bad brother.
We don't want him.
We all run away from him when we see him.
But he's still better than my idiot brother who joined the Navy and drowned.
You know you're right, they really look like rabbits.
I'm done.
I picked your needles for you.
Thank you.
You shouldn't have bothered.
Now I have to go home. And with a drawing like this.
I can't hate the sea like this anymore.
March 1940 (Shōwa 15)
The Imperial Navy is fighting bravely in the eastern waters of the Pacific...
December 1941 (Shōwa 16)
April 1943 (Shōwa 18)
Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!
Brother joined the army
Urano Suzu
December 1943 (Shōwa 18)
Look at that, Morita's niece is already gathering nori.
That's good.
What a wonderful outfit you have.
You're doing good. We'll have supper when you are ready.
Okay!
Suzu-chan will be going far away to get married.
I am?
And Sumi... Someone close.
They say girls who hold their chopsticks up top wed far away.
Granny, are you from afar?
I was born in Furue.
That's just one village away.
Then people that get married in Manchuria must be using tongs.
Says Sumi as she changes her grip on her chopsticks.
Marrying close to home is not very exciting.
Suzu-chan, go and hurry home.
I just got a phone call.
They said that a man came to your house who wants to marry you. Straight from Kure.
From Kure?
Suzu-chan, how old are you?
About nineteen... No, actually eighteen.
You can refuse if you don't like him, but you should at least go and meet him first.
Suzu-chan, can you come here for a minute?
I kept waiting for this day to come. I made something for you.
In it, you'll look like a princess.
Thank you.
The wedding ceremony will be at the groom's house in Kure.
Yes...
And in the evening he will ask you, "Did you bring an umbrella with you?".
You will answer, "Yes, I brought a brand new one."
He will ask, "Can I open it?".
And you tell him, "Yes."
What for?
For everything.
I guess that means I will become an adult that night.
Once in Kure... there's a big military port there... and there's a lot of sailors...
Eh! Mizuhara?
Long-time no see...
Get home already.
Eh?
Your mother made such a big fuss, all the neighbors know about it.
Oh, I was so scared. I really thought they were giving me away to you.
Don't be silly!
I went to my brother's memorial. He drowned seven years ago.
So you don't know who your suitor is?
Not at all.
Maybe he got confused with me and Sumi.
Sumi is more beautiful than me.
I don't think so.
It seems that he met her when he was studying at a local school.
But it wasn't easy finding your family.
Three years ago we lost the nori business due to the land reclamation.
She should be coming home soon.
I don't know if marrying is good or bad thing.
I had some kind of caramel taste in my mouth.
I don't know why.
It's really cold outside.
What should I do?
They say I can refuse him if I want to.
But how can I decide if I don't know him at all...
Sorry to bother you.
Yes?
We seem to have lost our way.
Can you direct us to the train stop?
It's this way.
Forgive us.
A nice sailor showed us the way earlier, but...
Ah, he's an odd one, you see.
They got lost in the mountains, but a strange little woman helped them out.
February 1944 (Shōwa 19)
Am I so distracted that I lose track of what's going on?
Hiroshima
How did all this happen so quickly?
Kaitaichi
Yano
Saka
Koyaura
It was a long trip.
The train is approaching the Navy port, please close all the blinds facing the ocean.
Someone must have left a window open...
Kure! Kure!
The Navy must be doing live drills.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
The bus couldn't make it up the hill again?
Oh, Mrs. Kobayashi.
Hello, Mrs. Kobayashi.
The weather is good today.
All that matters is that everyone is healthy.
While I am lacking in my ways,
I am honored to join your family..
I'm Kobayashi, the groom's aunt. I'll be the matchmaker at the ceremony.
You do know your future husband's last name, right?
She is definitely lacking in many ways.
Oh, how high we had to climb.
It seems their house is on the very edge of town.
This way, please.
HOUJO
They're here!
Forgive me. The ceremony is very modest and not very crowded.
It's OK, my daughter is very shy, it's even better.
Suzu-chan!
Oh no! My beautiful kimono is all covered up.
What are you doing, Suzu?
What a wonderful feast.
It's a pity that her older brother could not attend.
It's so hard to get everyone together now.
Thank you for bringing so much nori and vegetables with you.
This is also supper so make sure to eat up.
And the stew is also very tasty.
Lucky for you, he's such a reserved guy.
No one would be noisy at a wedding.
Except for you.
Don't forget us, come visit when you can.
Be happy with your new home!!
Bye!
I'll be back.
Wait.. who is she again?
Well, now that she's here, you can rest and have her take over.
Yes.
Mother, father.
It's an honor to be part of this family.
No, the honor is ours.
I have a bad leg, so I'll be counting on you a lot, Suzu-san.
Of course.
I'm sorry. When Keiko cooks, she burns everything.
That's right, she's his married older sister.
Those are searchlights from the naval ships.
Where have I ended up?
Thanks for setting out the futons.
Uh-huh.
Oh, Suzu-san...
What?
Did you bring an umbrella?
Yes. I have... a new one...
Can I take it?
Here you go.
You must be hungry.
Are the dried persimmons too bitter?
You did not eat during the wedding.
You do eat with your mouth, like everyone else. It's calming.
Yes I do! I even swallowed the seed.
I drink like everyone else. Also with my mouth.
Listen, have we met each other before?
Have we met? You don't remember?
Sorry, I tend to be little distracted.
It was a long time ago.
But I remember this birthmark well.
We share the neighborhood well nearby.
New Guinea, division No. 5173
to Mr. Urano Yoichi
H
Ho .. jo.
Ho
Hou
Houj
Houjou
Houjou Su
Houjou Suzu
Tell me, what is our address? And the house number?
Kure
I see it!
We're going.
Have a good trip.
It seems that everyone here has work connected with the Navy.
Ms. Hojo.
♪ Top, top, top, this is how the neighbors go.
Yes.
Upper Naganoka's neighbors association
Starting February 24, will work on the distribution of products: Chita, Houjou and Karia. From the 24th (Tuesday), regular meetings At 7 pm in the Naganoki association's building.
The transmitted board
The food distribution?
It won't be easy working with these two.
♪ You open the window !!!! and you see a familiar face.
♪ You are handed over a transfer board.
Nice to meet you.
I'm Chita.
And I'm Karia.
♪ You learn something, write something.
There you go again!
I'm measuring properly.
You're eyeballing it.
No, I'm not.
It's not fair.
It's fair.
♪ Top, top, top, this is how the neighbors go.
Unbelievable?
What is?
You and your stubborn ways.
♪ Again, there are some problems with the products.
What stubborn ways?
Don't worry, I'm young.
♪ Will teach you through the fence
You're spilling it.
♪ how to cook the porridge correctly.
Oy-yoy-yoy-yoy-yoy.
I'm so sorry.
Don't underestimate the danger of incendiary bombs.
In the event one strikes your house,
it is necessary to take the apprpriate measures to neutralize it.
Depending on the type of bomb, the measures can be different.
Sit closer to us... it's so cold today.
The important thing at that moment is not to panic.
This has become my daily life.
March 1944 (Shōwa 19)
Ah, that is Keiko's old dress.
Now it's just gathering dust.
She wore that when she was dating her fiancé.
They'd go to the cinema, fairs and expensive restaurants.
Sister was quite fashionable.
Those were the days back then.
Shūsaku was in the fourth grade when they ceased building warships after the peace conference.
My husband, like many others, lost his job.
And Keiko stated that her husband and herself would find their own work.
Okay, I won't give up and work just as hard.
It seemed back then that things couldn't get worse.
I really miss those days now.
Good afternoon.
I'm home.
Welcome back, sister.
Shameful.
Why? This rice seems quite nice.
I'm talking about you!
You're from Hiroshima, are you not?
I expected you to be a sophisticated girl from Hiroshima.
So what's with those ragged patched pants?
Are you roasting beans?
Girls should dress decently. Are not you ashamed of yourself?
Oh, welcome back, Harumi.
Mommy is mad about everything lately, so I try to stay quiet.
I'm sorry, but this is all I've got to wear.
Is that right?
Then make another outfit right now!
And the rice in that sack is not a gift. It's for me and Harumi.
What's with you, Keiko?
Please understand, mother...
Oh dear. What should I do?
Ouch!
Well, again. No, not like that.
No one will ever marry you if you are like that.
Fine! Then I won't get married.
She's got a belt...
Yeah, I see.
Cut, unfold, cut again.
Fold and sew.
Sew in a waist band and it's ready for business. Let's do it.
I'm Kuromaru Harumi.
I'm Hojo Suzu, good afternoon.
Suzu-chan, can you lend me some thread?
Is this okay?
Wow.
Suzu-san, are you going shopping?
Yes, to get our food rations.
I'll go, give me the purse and the ration cards.
Are you sure? Thank you.
Welcome back.
Stop, I'll do it.
Huh?
Hey, Mom!
Yes, yes... What do you want...
What shall we do for soup?
Oh, Keiko and Harumi came back.
Just the two of you?
Welcome home, Dad.
Well, make yourself at home.
Wow... My sister didn't burn the rice.
Listen, Shūsaku!
Thank you. I was able to fix my kimono.
It's nothing.
My mother has a bad leg.
and we brought you to place you don't know.
I could stay here for a while.
Suzu-san, why don't you go home to Hiroshima?
Eh?
That's a good idea.
The castle of Hiroshima. Urano Suzu.
I'm home.
Oh, I'm tired.
Welcome back.
It's eight already.
There was a lot of work to do.
Is that belt a "sennninbari"? (A thousand-person-stitches belt)
Yes. Sumi, will you also make a stitch?
Yes.
Hey, Suzu, wake up!
Y..yes!
Here, sit down and have supper.
Oh, I dreamt that I got married and had left for Kure.
Are you awake now?
Yes.
Well, my sister-in-law said, "Go home to Hiroshima."
I didn't quite understand why.
Ah! To visit my family?
And, his mom and dad said to me, "we're so sorry for not letting me come visit sooner."
"Go, stay two or three days with your family," his sister said.
If you want to go and visit, we don't mind.
Did you write to Yoichi in the army?
Yeah, I wrote.
But I haven't heard back from him, though.
- You too? - Nothing
He's probably stationed far away. They are probably too busy to write.
Most likely Suzu had the wrong address.
Bath! Bath!
Sumi-chan, is it hard to be a volunteer?
I am used to it already.
Do I stink of engine oil.
It must be a dangerous job.
It's not as cold as the nori harvesting, and there are good sides.
Sometimes a nice lieutenant secretly gives me ration coupons for lunch.
Oh, my.
Be careful not to inadvertently hear any military secrets.
Suzu-chan, how are you coping? Is Kure a good place?
I'm still just sorting things out.
Maybe I just told you a Navy secret.
What are you talking about?
Good night.
Suzu-chan.
What?
You have a bald spot.
What!?
Bye Suzu-chan, I'm going to work!
Emergency measures will be in place next month.
Short trips will be restricted.
Take care of yourself.
Well, I have to go to my job at the women's association.
What? You're leaving too?
Dad gave me some money.
Farewell.
Farewell, Hiroshima.
All tickets SOLD OUT today
Hiroshima Station
And that's why you came back here?
I'm already feeling sorry for your new family.
I'm back.
April 1944 (Shōwa 19)
His sister still lives with us.
Mom, give me an inkwell.
I'm not going to, Harumi.
Give me.
Suzu-san, what did you say to Harumi?
Can I take care of the community notice board?
Please.
I'm going.
She has been like that ever since she came back from Hiroshima.
It's nothing, she's still a child.
Thank you for your concern.
Well, give me.
I clearly said no.
Please.
You don't need it!
Welcome back.
Field grass?
Yes. It is for tonight's supper.
Here, all the dandelions are white.
And they are not white in Eba?
Oh, that one is yellow.
It might have traveled from afar.
Why you are so down? Are you homesick with Hiroshima?
Not at all.
Look! There!
They're aircraft carriers, the Hiyo and Junyo.
Ship and carriers...
They're big...
And the smaller ships are destroyers.
There are also submarines from Germany.
And that ordinary looking ship is their tender.
Oh, the dandelion seeds are flying.
Where?
Yes, over there.
I can see for myself.
Shūsaku-san, what is that?
Is that a ship?
It's the Yamato.
It's the largest warship in the world, built in our local port.
And there are people on it?
Yes.
There's a crew of two thousand seven hundred.
Two thousand seven hundred people?
Exactly.
Tell her "welcome home", Suzu.
Does someone cook food for all those people every day?
Suzu-san.
And do their laundry...
I'm sorry.
Did you hurt yourself?
No, I think I'm okay.
You know, Suzu-san, if you're too stressed, you'll lose your hair faster.
Ah! You noticed.
Please, let me paint Suzu-san's bald spot.
If I give it to you, you'll be covered in ink from head to toe.
Look what I got! They're Mustard spinach seeds.
Eh!
They eat these greens in Tokyo.
Eh!
They're supposed to grow anywhere.
Eh!
Grubbing around in the dirt is your specialty, right, Suzu-san?
Yes!
Oh my!
Let's do it!
Harumi-chan, do you want to help?
That's enough playing around for now. Time to plan the real garden.
Playing games with a six year old. You're a grown-up.
Ma! Look! It's the Yamato!
The biggest ship in the world.
There is also a cruiser.
Is it the Atago? Is it the Maya?
and...
Harumi...
Maybe it's time to go home.
Finally, his sister returned to her husband's house.
It's now my turn to cook dinner.
Maybe my sister-in-law's husband was drafted by the Navy and I didn't know it.
All of a sudden, I missed her.
Now I have to get ready to prepare dinner!
Huh?
What's that?
By then, food rationing had gotten much worse.
May 1944 (Shōwa 19)
Confidence in getting some can't be bought with money.
We don't know when new arrivals will happen.
Do the queue again.
Today Everything's sold out.
We only get four sardines per family of four for three meals.
Mom!
But it's better than just being given vegetable leaves
and maybe I can buy some miso.
Ah, I see.
Violet, stellaria, field horsetail.
Dandelion, sourdough, dried sardines, soy miso.
Potatoes, sweet potatoes, wheat flour, plum seeds.
Cut the sweet potatoes.
Macerate the leaves in boiling water.
Mix them with wheat flour and put everything together.
And lunch is ready.
It's so quiet without Keiko around.
You can dry what's not eaten.
So, continuing on with the next meal.
Fill rice with five times the volume of water and cook the porridge.
Add the pieces of potatoes and cook for another 10 minutes.
Now we put in the leaves of the stellaria.
We cut the daikon and dandelion root.
Fry them with sugar and soy sauce.
We add the dandelion leaves and soybean pulp. A little more frying.
Cover with the remaining daikon, add some leaves and salt.
Pour water in miso-nabe, add the plum seeds and boil it.
Add the sardines to make a broth, don't cover with the lid.
Add salt to taste.
That's great. Did Karia teach you that?
The ration of rice was reduced by half.
We'll eat porridge made from sweet potatoes.
Okay.
Tomorrow I will prepare something interesting again.
The loyal Samurai Kusunoki, when besieged at a castle, came up with ways to make the rice reserve last longer.
First fry and toast the rice well.
Add a three-fold portion of water and simmer over a small fire.
To save rice and not to waste firewood when cooking,
Use his great Japanese invention, a fireless cooker.
Let it sit until tomorrow.
We warm up yesterday's fish broth, add violet and miso.
In the morning we stoke the fire and finish the rice.
It's ready!
The famous Kusunoki Masashige "nanko meshi" rice!
I filled Dad's bento with it.
Wow, what a big portion today.
The rice is all swollen.
Is there really such a way of cooking?
Yes.
We're going to eat.
We are leaving.
Sorry to see you go.
If Kusunoki ate this voluntarily, he really was a great hero.
Probably...
June 1944 (Shōwa 19)
Air raid alert!
There are no announcements on the radio.
Is Shūsaku still at work?
Yes.
But if you think from the enemy's point of view, it's logical to bomb Kyūshū.
There's no sense for us to be running to the mountains.
It's only a blackout.
Be careful up there.
They are destroying homes here.
The city needs the fire break to prevent the fires from spreading.
Right.
Not around here but near the city.
Poor things.
They will have to look for a new home.
Thank you.
It's my pleasure.
I have plenty of firewood.
Because my house got torn down.
Oh no!
The family moved to Shimonoseki.
So I got divorced.
Don't worry, I'll find a job so I will not be a freeloader.
It should be noted that there are more people around now.
Like this?
Yeah.
July 1944 (Shōwa 19)
Yesterday they fired the guns from the very top of the Hagamine mountain.
How did they get the guns so high up there?
Everything is becoming more and more dangerous.
Thank you so much.
And you, too.
Well, this is a fine bomb shelter.
Yes.
It has been hard work, my legs can't hold me anymore.
Keiko really helped us out, bringing tatami boards from home.
Shūsaku, why is she here?
It just happened.
But now we need to clean up.
Shūsaku-san, Can I take this some of this dirt into the fields?
Yes, of course, just be careful.
Ah, you're here, too.
Yeah, I'm watching the ships.
A lot of them have gathered today.
The Yamato is the biggest ship. The second one is the Musashi.
There are many cruisers, but there aren't any aircraft carriers.
That is the Tone, she has no rear turrets.
She's a heavy aircraft cruiser.
Wow, that's great. You know so much.
Yeah. I learned this from my brother.
I see. I also know a thing or two.
Those are destroyers.
Yeah.
And there's a small vessel floating around.
It's a motor launch.
Do you want me to tell you something?
Do you see those huge clouds?
Yeah.
Those are called "anvils".
Yes.
Oh, and it means it will rain very hard.
Eh?
Shūsaku-san!
Let's hide in here for now.
Thanks.
I can do it myself.
Are you very fond of ships?
What?
I spoke with Harumi.
Ah... I was not the one who taught Harumi.
It was Hi-bo.
Hee?
Yes. He also likes ships.
One day you will meet him.
Is his name Hisao, the name etched here?
Yes.
I can't believe I'm here, doing this with him.
Good, it was just a little sprinkle.
You can go home already.
Listen...
It's okay when a couple has a loving relationship.
Yes, isn't that nice. Two couples getting along so well.
Keiko?
They used to measure their heights together as a family.
Wait, was Keiko's husband...
He was too frail, he was not drafted into the military.
He probably was too thin.
When my father had rejoined the Navy, my sister went to buy him a watch.
That's when they met.
Kuromura Watch Shop
They got married and ran the watch shop together.
But you know what kind of character Keiko is.
She never got along with the rest of his family.
Then her husband died and the family fought over the business.
Then the building reclamation tore everything down.
Hisao is still the heir of the Kuromura family.
So he is now living in Shimonosaki with them.
Naturally, it's very hard for Keiko to live without her son.
I wish we could all live happily.
Me too.
I need to check on the garden.
It took me several months to find out about Keiko's problems.
That's how naive I can be.
This is the Yamato.
This is the Tone.
Wait, I'm just...
Kempeitai (Military Police).
It's just a drawing for my nephew.
Do you know this woman?
Ke... Kempei?
Making sketches of the coastline and ships is an act of espionage!
Her face looks innocent, but who knows what insidious plans she has in her heart.
This woman's husband is a small-time clerk in the naval court.
Maybe she's looking for a way to steal military secrets?
Maybe she tried to send signals to someone?
Maybe she has tables with codes in her things?
Maybe you're hiding something? Confess!
Consider yourself lucky that you got off lightly.
Keep an eye on her, no one can be trusted.
I'm home.
Why are all the clothes still outside?
Oh, Shūsaku, Suzu-san was almost arrested.
Suzu-san, come here.
It is a small book, you won't be able to draw much.
You really like drawing so much, will you draw me sometime?
I don't know if I can draw you well..
Suzu-san, involved in espionage?
Shūsaku, how can you hold it back?
We couldn't be rude to the police...
We had to withhold our laughter...
Which made it even funnier.
This girl is oblivious to everything when she's doing something.
For some people, a naive person can seem so devious.
The only thing Suzu remembers about my job is that it ends at six in the evening.
I'm also a military secret? The Kempeitai are so dumb.
I don't understand anything, but it's still funny.
I wish we could all live happily.
Indeed...
I'm home.
Dad, guess what happened just now!
Am I the only one who doesn't find it funny?
And they asked where her code tables were.
I could hardly restrain myself.
August 1944 (Shōwa 19)
Even during war, the cicadas are singing and the butterflies are flying.
It's so hot.
Attention Starting in August Sugar rations will end, Hurry up and get some
What, there won't be any sugar?
The war seemed to be closer to home when the air raids began in June.
I wonder where it is now?
Ow.
Harumi, I'm sorry.
I'm OK. There are a lot of ants here.
I wonder where they are all crawling to?
SUGAR
Not the sugar, it's too expensive!
We must put it somewhere else so the ants won't get it.
Where can we find such a place?
What? What's wrong with you?
We thought that if put it in water, the ants wouldn't get to it.
Take this money. Go and buy some at the black market.
I've never been there before.
Try it.
Why are there so many people here if there are no products anywhere?
This is fine rice from Taiwan.
Next distribution is planned At the end of the month
And I could get some Japanese rice too.
Wait, aren't growing watermelons forbidden?
They have everything here?
It's like it was the summer before the war.
Twenty yen for a kin.
*1 kin = 600 grams
Fifty times more than at the distribution center?
Tomorrow, it will get even more expensive.
Mom's money plus this month's living allowance is only 25 yen.
Buy
Not buy
Should I buy or not buy?.
If sugar is now about 150 yen, then you can't buy caramel for 100 yen.
Soon it will be a thousand yen just for three pairs of socks.
What will happen to the country, how can we survive?
Wait, where am I?
Naganoki? The military cemetery?
Although, there also Nagasako.
In that direction.
No, over there.
Oh, I'm sorry.
It's okay.
A watermelon?
Yes.
Caramel?
Yes.
Are you lost?
Yes.
And you are an adult... Where are you from?
Naganoki.
Sister, no one's telling me the way.
And then everyone here smells so nice, It's like I'm in a fairy tale.
Naganoki, it's right past the post office, and then...
Wait here.
Madam, I have a question!
From this point, you go straight over there.
And then after the post office, you turn right and go straight ahead.
Thank you so much!
No one here knows the city well.
Almost everyone here are from different places and they never leave the district.
You look like you're from Hiroshima... Maybe from the coast?
Yeah, from over there. How do you know?
Your accent.
Are you from Eba?
No, from Kusatsu.
Kusatsu!
I went there every year to see my grandmother and eat watermelon.
Our family was poor, so I only got the leftover watermelon's rinds.
Although once, a kind girl gave me a taste of the core.
That was a long time ago.
Maybe you could draw something for me?
For something to remember... Here...
As easy as pie.
I can draw anything, just say it.
Mint candies! Fern cookies!
Mint...
Ice cream in a waffle cone.
A waffle cone?
You don't know what that is? You never been to a café?
Rin! You had enough time off already!
I'm sorry, I have to go.
I'll draw you something the next time.
No. You shouldn't come back here again.
You'll get lost again.
You were gone a long time. I thought you got lost in the city.
Sister, do you know what's an ice cream in a waffle cone?
You don't know?
Oh you.
It's sweet and cold, with a crispy shell, it's the best dessert.
Ah, there was a time...
There...
Just remembering something that delicious makes this water seem sweeter.
September 1944 (Shōwa 19)
It's still very hot.
Mrs. Hojo, you have a phone call.
What? For me?
Ah, here it is.
It's so hot.
Are you're going to go out like that? You are going to embarrass Shūsaku
Let's take a walk, it's not that far.
Well, how are things with the police?
There have been no incidents.
Good. Well then, let's grab some beer...
Kure Naval Courthouse
Shūsaku-san, I brought your notebook.
Eh?
Ah, Suzu-san!
You're pale as a ghost, are you well?
What? Do I look strange?
No, I'm happy if you are all right.
Let's go.
Eh? What about work?
I deliberately left the notebook at home so I could get the day off.
You said you wanted to go shopping.
What's wrong?
Are you sure you're feeling OK?
I didn't want you to see me smiling from ear to ear.
I thought I'd take you to the movies.
But I guess a big ship came to port.
We'll have to give that up, but we can go some other time.
Suzu-san?
Some of my former classmates are now in the Navy.
What if I see one of them?
You just greet them normally.
If I meet someone I know from the past, he could wake me up from my dream.
Your dream?
Changing my name and moving was hard for me,
But you've always been kind to me.
And a good friend too.
I don't want to wake up right now.
I'm happy to be where I am today.
I see.
Past events and the paths we did not choose.
They are all like a dream.
Suzu-san, for me, the best decision was the one in which I married you.
You're so skinny, I'm worried.
You know, I've lost my appetite
Here. Eat for two people!
HOSPITAL
Eh... You're good at drawing...
Thank you for bringing this.
No problem. I had to go the hospital anyways.
Hospital? Are you feeling ill?
No... Not really.
That's good.
Watermelon is so tasty, isn't it.
And warabi mochi and sugar.
Huh? What is this?
Uh... That's ice cream...
What? This is ice cream?
Ah!.. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. I didn't know what it looks like.
That's okay... I'm sorry...
I went to primary school for half a year so I only know some katakana.
But I can't read hiragana.
Oh. So it must be a bother writing your name on an I.D. card.
It's not a problem.
A customer wrote my name for me.
All I have to do is copy this.
See?
Eh!..
So your name is Shiraki Rin?
Wait. It's a bit late. But I should introduce myself too.
Ho..
jo..
So you're Suzu-san!
You surprised me!
Thank you, Suzu-san.
I will cherish these pictures.
That's right.
♪ It was drawn nicely... ♪
Hey, Rin-san...
I was recommended to see a gynecologist at the hospital by a mid-wife.
Oh! Are you pregnant?
The doctor said stress and malnutrition is making me miss my period.
It's just that my cycles are bad...
There are other a lot of women like that here too.
I envy you.
Never mind cotton or cloth, even paper is hard to find too.
Well, that's right...
But Shūsaku-san and his family are looking forward to it.
Shūsaku-san?
Ah! My husband...
Are you looking forward to it, too?
Well...
You know, my mom...
lost her teeth every time she gave birth.
She ended up dying during her last childbirth.
Are you still looking forward to it?
I'm kind of scared... Yeah.
No! All our men are risking their lives on the battlefield.
We women have to do our duty too.
Duty?
Yeah, giving birth to a strong healthy heir.
A boy is not always born.
I'll keep having babies until one is born.
He might not be healthy, either.
I guess I'll have to have some extras then.
Hmm.. That's not good either.
Yeah... That's right.
What if you get frustrated always giving birth one day?
Maybe I will go back home...
And what will happen if you go back your parent's home?
Well...
I guess I'll be beaten by my demon brother.
I don't know about my dad and mom...
I guess I could join the women's volunteer group.
Maybe with Sumi-chan.
Is that such a terrible thing?
What if the child is sickly?
Oh! They could even be cute.
If you are in trouble, you could always sell them.
But girls fetch a higher price, so having some will be fine.
Yep. You can do well.
This is getting sillier and sillier.
This was nice.
Even if the children were sold...
They will live as best they can.
There's a place for everyone in this world.
Right, Suzu-chan?
Thank you, Rin-chan.
You ate a lot in the morning, this should be enough.
Great, back to the usual portion.
Autumn came.
The alarms have become more frequent.
We have to get the futons ready for the colder weather.
We also have to get out the winter clothes.
We had to store the summer things at Kobayashi's uncle's house.
Thank you for all your hard work.
Let's have some tea, Suzu-chan.
Okay!...
It's finished...
Even if our house is burned down, we won't be in trouble.
Thank you for helping, everyone.
Excuse me...
It's not ours.
I don't know.
I haven't seen it before either.
You sure it's not part of your dowry?
I wonder...
You make such a good wife, Suzu-san.
You are such a hard worker...
You have a cheery disposition.
and Shūsaku-san is happier with you around.
Like and dislike have little to do how a match is.
With a wife like Suzu-san, he should hold on tightly to her.
My, my... She is really a good person.
Ah! I forgot to turn over the futons!
What are you saying?
The important thing is not to let this get to her head.
I'm glad we're all finished.
It's so hot and sweaty.
Oh, Suzu-san...
Red dragonflies come out in autumn
The red ones are different.
That's right.
October 1944 (Shōwa 19)
Yes.
Air raid! Air raid!
Let's go.
Are you doing it right?
Oh!
Train the lights on the plane.
Thanks.
You're welcome.
Training schedule for battle.
Training schedule?
Oh my...
I was thinking of giving it to whoever was to be my wife.
I bought it before.
Please use it, Suzu-san.
See?
I'm not imagining things. I know it.
Alright!
Next person!
Ow!
Get going! Don't drift off. It's your turn.
Yes!
Eh! Why are you standing so far away?
You have a longer spear, I'm not getting closer.
I'm staying right here.
This goes on everyday.
November 1944 (Shōwa 19)
Ah! Welcome back.
Wow! I wonder if this a house for raccoons.
I'm home!
Welcome back...
There's a leaf on your head.
Raccoon dog.
I made a lot of charcoal with the fallen leaves.
Keep up the good work.
♪ How are you doing? ♪
♪ I'm doing well. ♪
Those two...
Well...
They seem to be disagreeing...
You mean Shūsaku.
You're imagining things.
You'd think so.
The girl was taken away from her family.
I feel sorry for her.
You saying she was rescued from there.
I wish I could see this with open eyes.
It's the middle of dinner...
I'm glad you didn't notice it.
We don't have rice, so I mixed it with dried udon
Urano Suzu.
A daughter giving up making nori in Hiroshima
Urano Suzu.
Why bring this up now?
We're all a good family now.
There is love everywhere she goes.
Suzu-san, maybe...
Do you not want any children?
That's not it.
Oh.
I'm thinking about something else.
I'm tired.
What did you put in the brazier?
The new coal I made today with the leaves
I'm sure this is coal!
Preparing to enter port. All ahead slow.
December 1944 (Shōwa 19)
Speed set at slow.
Proceed to go straight in.
I'll go ask them first.
Okay.
Who's there? Wow, a real sailor!
I went out to the well for water and we accidentally met.
I'm Mizuhara Tetsu, a sailor from the ship Aoba.
The Aoba is a heavy cruiser.
Behave, Harumi.
It's winter right now and he's still tanned.
So, you're on "bath time"?
"Bath time" is shore leave for us.
I didn't know where to go, but I remembered Suzu and decided to ask around for her.
Thank you for taking good care of her.
Suzu was only good at drawing and harvesting nori.
She's probably quite useless here.
So you can just ask me, and I'll gladly take her off your hands anytime.
Don't be insolent! "Suzu-Suzu"... Don't call me by my first name!
And how should I call you?
You're not Urano anymore.
Eh?
Suzu-san, don't be rude to our guest.
What's so funny?
It's interesting.
You're so ordinary.
It's delicious! Delicious!
It's nothing special.
This is heaven.
Suzu, will you come in and wash my back?
Idiot!
Suzu-san, where's the lamp?
I think it's in the shelter.
I see.
When I grow up, I want to become a sailor.
That's great.
Drink.
Thanks for the treat.
Best regards.
Good night.
There's nothing like being on dry land.
Well, I'm going too.
How's the Aoba now?
We were heavily damaged in Manila, we managed to crawl back here for repairs.
She's a good ship. She's still afloat after everything that happened to her.
Shūsaku-san. You know, when everyone dies around you, it haunts you to still be alive.
Mizuhara, my father isn't here tonight and so I'm in charge.
I'm sorry, but I can't let you sleep in the house.
He's going to sleep in the store room.
You are being so harsh with him. I never seen this side of you before.
Here's the bed-stove. Bring it to him.
Talk to him tonight, there may not be another time.
I'm sorry about the store room.
After sleeping in hammocks on a ship, this is paradise.
Here, this will warm you up while we talk.
Okay.
Here, this is for you.
Really?
Do you want to write with it?
Yes.
Just like that.
It's working!
It's working.
A bird that looked like a heron flew over us in the middle of the ocean.
I didn't know herons migrated.
Exactly.
In Eba, they live near the river all year round.
Yes, there's really a lot in Eba.
It seems I forgot how to draw them.
Even you don't get to go out?
It's been a long time since you've drawn?
Yeah.
Remember those rabbits on the waves?
I remember.
It caused me a lot of problems.
Eh? Why is that?
You don't know?
The teacher sent that drawing to the city competition, and it managed to take a prize.
But I didn't draw it, but you can imagine how awkward it was.
It was you that was supposed to win.
Suzu, you're so warm, so soft, you smell like...
Mizuhara.
To think I waited a long time for this day to come.
You came back like this... wanting to be so close to me!
How can I... Ah! Now I'm angry with you!
I'm sorry, really sorry.
Do you love your husband?
Yes.
You're still so ordinary.
Sorry.
You get angry when you're supposed to be. Sorry about that.
So, you don't want me to take you back?
I thought you were forced to marry him and needed help.
No.
Well, that's good.
He's four years older?
Shūsaku-san?
He's the same age of my dead brother.
We were poor, so my brother had to join the naval school.
He died, and I took his place.
That's the way life is.
But somewhere, I turned off the road that led to a life of an ordinary person.
But...
I'm relieved that you have a normal life.
If I die, don't pray for me.
Just remember me and smile.
I just wish you stay sane and ordinary in this crazy world.
Suzu!
What?
You have become a beauty.
Don't be stupid!
In fact, since childhood, I've never been able to tell you how I really felt.
Tetsu Thank you for the feather. Thank you for growing up as a worthy person. Come back alive and healthy. Suzu.
The remains of the lost warrior Urano Yoichi
February 1945 (Shōwa 20)
Welcome back, brother.
There was a rock instead of ashes in the box.
It was so small and smooth.
Is that a piece of his skull?
Maybe it's not even him?
Then what happened to him?
And why was it necessary to bring everyone together in such cold weather?
Our Yoichi could not have died so easily.
People are so fragile.
I can't remember his face, not even his voice.
Shūsaku-san.
Thank you for the time
you let me have with Mizuhara.
My pleasure.
However, Shūsaku-san, do you feel our marriage is unimportant?
I forced you leave home for me.
And never showed me an angry face.
And you're not it noticing now?
Ooooh. Are you upset now?
You just don't care!
Ooooh.
Then why are you wearing worn out socks today?
The one you made last night were too tight.
Then wear something else!
Listen, can you two fight at home?
Are you forgetting the road home again? This way.
I know.
To the right. In the direction of Mount Higamine.
Yes, I know!
Winter came.
Get out! There isn't any girl by that name here!
Sister.
Sorry about that. But we are a business after all...
Huh?
You're looking to give her a beatin' over your man, right?
Oh! No....
Ah! That's not it...
Umm... I have something for Shiraki Rin...
This is...
Here... I grabbed some fresh snow.
Thank you...
That feels cold!
That feels good...
I came here to visit Shiraki Rin...
Rin-chan is out escorting a Navy officer for the day.
Okay. Could I ask you to give this rice bowl to her?
Sure. It's not a problem.
It's such a beautiful bowl.
This is not a big deal...
Young sailors are rough.
A sailor trussed me up and jumped into the Sakai River with me.
Eh!
So I got a real bad cold.
So I wouldn't get too close to me.
No... That's okay.
Don't worry about that...
So cold!
So, do you like each other?
If I had to say, yeah, I really like him.
So, did you like him right away?
I like him...
I don't know people, I want to like people.
So many ships have been coming into port... Business has been booming.
However...
He looked at his wits end...
It would have been a nice dip in the summer.
I just don't like winter...
Maybe I should have gone to some nice warm island instead.
Ah!
It looks so nice...
Is that the southern island of Sogen?
It feels cold..
It's so cold...
It is cold...
It will be getting colder tonight...
It will be, let's close the window for tonight.
I am...
I'm still angry.
I am no longer scared of the sound of the cannons.
Shūsaku-san, I don't think I have one thing that can match up to Rin-san
March 19 1945 (Shōwa 20)
Come on, you're so obedient, the teacher won't scold you.
Really? It's not scary at school?
Not at all.
Nope. You'll even make friends, too..
For example, when I came here, I was all alone.
And now I made friends with everyone.
And with my mom too?
Cover your head.
Harumi!
It's like a painting on a large canvas.
What am I thinking about?
What are you standing there for? Lie down and press yourselves against the wall.
Welcome back.
So now they sound the alarm?
Be careful, the shrapnel is flying everywhere.
Ow!
Just listen.
Eh?
This is the sound of our 2000 horsepower engines.
We worked day and night in the factory to improve them.
We started with the usual type-95, with a rating of only 500 horsepower.
New technology and hard work.
For the sake of eternal peace and prosperity.
We spared no effort...
What's the horsepower of our enemies?
Say, the horsepower of our enemies?
Dad!
The raid is over!
He worked the night shifts relentlessly.
And during the raid, he just laid down on the ground and fell asleep.
I was so scared!
After the raid, we collected a lot of dead fish.
Small!
And if you draw a big one, it will become bigger.
04:50 March 29 1945 (Shōwa 20)
Air alert! Air alert!
Put your hood on, put out the lights.
Remove the paper doors.
Take the essentials and go to the shelter.
The raid is over!
It's not cooked at all.
Japanese Imperial Women's union
March 31 1945 (Shōwa 20)
What a pain.
Her husband and elder brother were killed in the war, now they are taking her only son to join the army.
Congratulations.
1 April 22h10
Wear your protective hood.
Extinguish the lights.
Remove the paper doors.
Prepare for fire fighting...
I can't see a thing.
Ahh.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Whose cat is this?
March 1945 (Shōwa 20)
Oh! Look how pretty they all are! They look in full bloom over here!
I'm surprised so many people turned out, given the times.
We're here too, aren't we?
That's right.
The factory is closed today as well.
Tokyo and Osaka was bombed. Both cities were badly burned.
There are a lot of people here enjoying the festival.
Suzu-san, long time no see.
Rin-chan...
A preferred customer is having a viewing party and brought me with them.
Oh! I'm here with my family too.
Oh... If she meets Shūsaku-san...
What will happen?
Suzu-san, is this your first time coming to Nikou park?
Hmm... I don't know.
There will be trouble if the both of them meet.
I don't know...
Suzu-san?
It will be awkward if two people meet and cry.
What should I do?
Are you listening to me?
What?
Rin-san... You are very beautiful today.
But... Here....
Come here and take a look.
Look. I put on trousers underneath.
It's so I can help putting out fires or rescuing folk if needed.
I can even climb trees.
Good, yeah?
Yeah!
Oh, Suzu-san. Come up here!
Huh!
I don't understand.
You're not listening to me again.
I'm sorry.
Whatever.
Last winter, you were the one that gave me the rice bowl.
It was you, right, Suzu-san?
About that...
Shūsaku-san bought it for me.
His name is Shūsaku Hojo...
My husband bought that rice bowl a long time ago.
I thought it would look good with you, Rin.
Uh...
There, see?
It ain't so fun if a person doesn't listen to you, is it?
Anyway, how is that pig-tailed girl doing? Did she get over her cold?
Ah...
You mean Teru-chan?
She died...
of pneumonia last year.
You made Teru-chan very happy...
You drew her the picture of the south islands in the snow, right? Suzu-san...
Teru-chan really wanted to live in the south islands.
She said that all the time...
I laughed at the picture at the time... The one you drew, Suzu-san.
I have this.
It's Teru-chan's lipstick...
She told me to give this to you before she died...
Did you know that when they clean up the bodies after a bombing, they always start with the prettiest ones.
Thank you.
Her Navy customer came to her room...
We told him that he could not be there.
The B-29 bombers were coming every night.
Because of the port of Kure and sea of Hiroshima
I thought I was staying in a dangerous area.
I was thinking it's not a good idea. But what do I know?
But you know... The last remaining battleship in Japan.
Is going to come back to Kure.
I can't stay with the warships moored off Kure.
I just want to be left alone...
After all, in the end you will be alone.
Hey... Suzu-san.
Did you know when people die, they take their memories with them.
Any secrets they had will disappear with them.
It's the same with my rice bowl.
Well... Let's get going.
My friends will think I ran away.
I also think..
It's not a bad thing to want to be alone.
Ah! It's been a while...
Yes.
Suzu-san, what are you doing up there?
I'm sorry. I bumped into a friend.
I guess everyone came today, figuring it will be the last they see the cherry blossoms.
People are relieved and laughing.
Shūsaku-san's face is smiling too.
I'm happy.
I'm sorry.
She was chasing some friend.
She went astray and climbed some trees.
Then she couldn't get back down and was afraid of getting scolded.
It's a good thing she wasn't carrying our lunches.
That ain't quite it. But, oh well...
This is my own secret.
5 April 23h45
How many alerts has it been?
I've never seen that before.
April 6 1945 (Shōwa 20)
May 5 1945 (Shōwa 20)
Hojo-san! Air raid warning!
Eh?
Air raid warning!!
Eight enemy aircraft!
To ears of some, this is the sound of nightmares.
For others, they are of dreams come true.
Tokuyama is launching.
The raid is over!
More than 125 B-29 bombers participated in the raid.
Hiroshima's naval arsenal suffered major damage.
I'm home.
But the number of casualties is minimal.
Are you okay, Shūsaku?
What about father?
He hasn't come home yet.
I see.
Suzu-san, it's boiling over.
Suzu-san, you're so small.
What?
You're still small when you stand.
So what?
Nothing.
I'm just telling you the truth.
Dad's going to be fine.
My new uniform is there.
Eh?
In that package.
Starting the 15th, I'll be a Chief Petty Officer.
I'll be a sailor now, and I will be training with the fleet.
I won't be back home for three months.
Will you come back after training?
I believe so.
You are going to be okay, Suzu-san.
You're so small and frail.
But you can protect this home all on your own.
No.
No way!
I'm sorry, that's not true.
I love you.
But in three months, I'm going to forget how you look.
Suzu-san.
I'll be waiting for you in this house.
Because I might not find you otherwise.
May 6 Sunday.
May 8 Tuesday.
May 10. Thursday. Air alert.
May 11. Friday. Two alerts in the morning.
May 12. Saturday. There was no alert.
May 13. Sunday. Only a siren three times.
May 14
And now you won't forget me now?
It was just a figure of speech.
With you, it's possible.
Let me see how you drew me.
No way.
This is a military secret.
May 15
Well, I'm leaving.
Have a safe trip.
Shūsaku, I will walk you half-way.
Yes.
You've become a real sailor.
The house feels emptier now.
June 21
For Ms. Hojo!
Hiroshima Prefecture, Kure, Upper Naganoki, 808
I thought he would be in a nearby hospital.
Wow...
That's why they couldn't find him.
Dad was wounded but he's almost recovered.
Dad asked me to take his watch for repairs.
This is a good chance to see the Kuromura family tomorrow.
To the place where brother lives?
I'm going.
Can I go too?
What about school?
Don't worry. All you do is dig stuff and physical training.
The hands of girls can also help our country.
This is going to take forever.
While I'm buying the tickets, can you take Harumi and see Papa in the hospital?
All right, come with me, Harumi.
We'll go see the naval base?
Yes.
Don't worry! If push comes to shove,
you can just use your bamboo spear!
Are you stupid? My husband's parents are terrible people.
You just seem so worried...
And what should I do with a bamboo spear?
Is Shimonosaki far?
Yes.
Farther than Hiroshima?
Much farther.
That way?
Here's the hospital, you have to be quiet.
They're listening to enemy songs?
I made you worry.
I was in a coma for a while. I understand it's June already.
The important thing is that you're still alive.
And now we will take the train and go see my brother.
Are you? Well, the sooner, the better.
Uncle, what ship are you from?
From mine sweeper number 16.
I've learned a lot of news over here.
Hiroshima's arsenal has been destroyed.
The whole fleet is to be transferred under the command of the army.
Suzu-san, they sunk the Yamato.
The Yamato?
Yes.
She moved in front of the fleet, diverting the enemy onto herself.
The Inner Sea of Japan is now controlled by the enemy.
So the rabbits are on the waves now...
Really? Really?
What?
Nothing.
That's why I suggested that...
Harumi should be sent to her father's family.
It'll be much safer there.
So that's why Keiko wanted...
Hey, Suzu-san.
Yes?
Can we look from over there.
I can tell my brother what ships are here.
I can't see anything.
Let's keep going. Let's keep going.
I can't see anything.
There's trouble, what should we do?
We don't have time to get back home. There should be a public shelter somewhere.
Are they really attacking?
We've had some false alarms.
09:23. North-east of Tokuyama, enemy aircraft heading towards Kure.
Looks like they really are coming.
Excuse me, can we come in with you?
Come in.
Red alert! Faster!
Suzu-san, I'm scared.
Don't worry, look.
Mama?
Yes, and who is this?
Harumi?
Here you are with your mother.
You must be from afar.
We came here to visit the hospital. We're from Naganoki.
That is bad luck.
Here they come! Close your ears, open your mouth, bend your head!
It's hot.
Bend down.
Excuse me, can we have some water?
Yes.
Thank you very much.
Did we miss the train?
Maybe the train couldn't leave, it could still be waiting for us.
I can't see anything!
Are you okay over there?
Yes!
It's dangerous to stand there. There could be unexploded bombs. Keep away.
What? Thank you for your hard work!
Say, Suzu-san, are you going to draw my brother?
Small craters could be from unexploded bombs.
According to the latest civil defense reports,
The enemy uses these bombs...
Quickly, Harumi!
Okay, here we go again. Not like that.
No one will marry if you are like that.
I think I've been told this a lot, but I'm already married.
Watermelon.
Fern biscuits.
Mint candies.
If the road had a ditch, we could have hidden in it.
In my left hand, my bag.
In my right hand, Harumi.
If it were the other way around.
I could have thrown off my sandals and run...
further down the slope, to the other side...
This is the Tone, and that one's the Hyuga.
Mom, this is the Yamato.
She... she looks so much like Shūsaku-san.
I should have followed... I really should have followed you...
I'm sorry. Forgive me, Harumi.
I'm sorry, sister.
Murderer!
Don't, Keiko.
Give me back Harumi!!
The tofu rations will begin soon.
She's grieving, don't let it go in your head.
We're all glad that you are still alive.
Really?
There's a place for everyone in this world.
Rin?
Yes?
And then? Where is my cherished place in the world?
There should have some broken gaps in that fence.
And if we had jumped through.
To the other side, to the other side...
June 28
Not again.
I can't hear the planes. Keep sleeping.
Nothing will happen to the house?
Of course not, don't worry.
I'm glad.
Liar.
That woman...
If our house was destroyed, would it be easier to leave the city?
July 1
Don't force yourself.
You know, we don't have the time to relax.
See you later.
Looks like the sun came out.
I hung the bandages to dry.
The central region's defense reports.
23:50. Two targets were observed in the bay of Hiroshima.
There are two targets over the Suo Strait. There are also two more targets above the Bungo Channel.
Are you awake, Suzu?
And also in the northeast there are...
23:58. a lot of enemy planes are circling over Hiroshima and Kure.
Yes.
23:58. a lot of enemy planes are circling over Hiroshima and Kure.
They say that there are many planes. But you can't even see them.
They're dropping flares?
Suzu-san, come with us. Quickly.
Let's get outta here!
Suzu-san? Why aren't you coming? Where are you?
Hurry up!
Suzu-san! Suzu-san!
Suzu-san, one dropped in here?
Water! More water!
We got it.
Defense of the central region.
00:30. The enemy air group flew over the Bungo Channel.
Careful.
Another air group is approaching the Bungo Channel and three more were seen in the southern waters.
So that's it.
One-two.
End of message.
This is JOFK. The transmitting station of Hiroshima.
Residents of Kure, hang on!
To the affected inhabitants of Kure, Hiroshima sends rice.
They will be distributed at Nikou Park!
Where can I file a damage report?
Is City Hall still standing?
My house burned down.
Avoiding the bomb shelter saved us
Can I have that bandage?
Take it.
Here, eat it while it's hot. It cooked when my house burned down.
Thank you.
Keiko?
Oh, the heat, it's so hot.
Is there anyone from Shinonome?
The red light district burned to the ground.
I see.
Suzu-san!
Hey. Are you hurt?
What about your training?
They canceled it.
I'm glad you're still alive.
And I passed out.
Suzu-san!
I heard myself say, "Shiraki Rin, could you find her?"
Suzu-san! What are you doing?
It's a good thing...
It's a good thing that she had time to put it out.
It's a good thing it wasn't a bomb.
It's a good thing it didn't catch fire.
It's a good thing that it's healing so quickly.
I'm glad, I'm glad, I'm glad...
I don't know what I should be glad about.
In June, I held Harumi with my right hand.
In May, I drew Shūsaku-san's face with my right hand.
In April, I held Teru's lip balm with my right hand.
In February, I held the remains of my brother with my right hand.
Last November, I accidentally ruined my sister's kimono with my right hand.
Last August I drew a watermelon for Rin with my right hand.
Last July, the kempeitai took away the drawing I made with my right hand.
Last May, I cooked Kusunoki's rice recipe with my right hand.
Last April I tore the dandelions with my right hand.
Last March I drew my hometown with my right hand.
Two years ago I collected nori with my right hand.
Seven years ago in February, I drew rabbits with my right hand.
Your sister's here.
What a disaster, Suzu-san.
Sumi?
You came to see me?
The officer I know let me ride in the truck to help.
What's that?
So.
Here. It's old, but it's pure cotton.
Without rayon?
Absolutely.
Sorry.
And here's some loquats from Ebayama.
Can you eat that?
I need to exercise. I'll walk you halfway.
I'm meeting him at the fire station.
Why not at the observation tower on the river?
Ah, it's probably burned down.
It's still there.
The officer showed it to me when we came.
He's so young and kind, he gives me ration coupons for lunch and movie tickets.
And he remembered that I have a married big sister here.
Are you in love?
Oh, what are you talking about, Suzu-chan?
This is horrible.
Attention 1. Food stocks have been prepared. 2. Emergency centers are fully equipped 3. Distribution of funds for the first need to start immediately Kure's City Hall
Go back to your place and continue to work. Let's go to work together. Put all your hatred in hard work. To protect your hometown we need heroic perseverance. Don't give up! 2 July, Shōwa 20. Kure's City Hall
This is awful.
Kure keeps getting bombed endlessly, how can the people endure this?
It's so awful when there's no home to return to.
Listen, Suzu-chan.
Return with us to Hiroshima.
Eh?
The bombing is not as bad there.
Brother is no longer alive, so no one's going to hurt you.
It's tempting.
I could see if your young officer is really handsome.
That's not funny.
I'm joking... I'm joking.
Later then.
I was undecided.
Think about it.
Next month, on the 6th, there will be a festival, come back home.
Thank you, Sumi.
I was glad that my brother had died.
I'm a little twisted, like drawings done with my left hand.
28 July 7 am
Here we go again. We need to take everything with us.
Ouch!
Suzu-chan, come down here.
You can't come in here.
You can't come here now!
Fly away! Fly away from here!
Fly away up the mountain! To Hiroshima!
Do you want to get killed?
Forgive me.
A heron. A heron flew by.
It flew away to the sea.
Shūsaku-san, I want... to return to Hiroshima.
And never come back?
Are you having a hard time without your hand?
Are you afraid of the attacks?
Is it because of Harumi?
That's right.
So it is.
I can't hear you!
Not at all.
Then why?
Suzu-san, I was happy being with you for the past 18 months.
Going back to the house where you are waiting.
Walking with you through the streets and talking about things.
Weren't you?
Were you just pretending?
I'm not listening.
I'm not listening, I'm not hearing anything!
I want! Home! Back to Hiroshima!
Is that it? Well then, go!
9 days later
No enemy aircraft over the Chugoku military district.
At 07:31 the air alert in Hiroshima prefecture has been canceled.
So the alert has been canceled.
Well then, we're going.
Have a safe trip.
Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow.
That's the spot.
Oh, it's morning, it's already so hot.
We are going to miss you, Suzu-san.
Say, when are you leaving?
Eh?
The hospital.
Ah... about 10 o'clock.
You need to change.
I'm sorry.
That one...
I guess it doesn't need to be washed.
Isn't today your hometown's festival?
Yes, I was going to go home last week.
But I couldn't get a doctor's appointment until today.
Don't look.
I'm sorry.
You'll never make it today.
The doctors are very busy.
You'll need a doctor's referral as well.
The train tickets are usually sold out anyway.
Here, a gift from your sister.
I made you some pants.
I sewed an elastic band so you could put it on yourself.
Sorry if it's a little crooked.
Thank you so much.
Forgive me, I shouldn't have blamed you for Harumi's death.
No problem.
Kuromura Watchmaker Shop
I lost my beloved husband early.
My house got destroyed.
I cannot see my children anymore.
But still, I chose my own path.
You're different. You obediently moved to an unfamiliar and distant home.
You always did what you're told.
It must be a very hard life.
You're welcome to stay here or go somewhere else.
Don't worry. Choose for yourself.
Keiko, what was that flash?
I don't know. It's like lightning but there's not a cloud in the sky.
I... changed my mind.
Can you wash this please...
Can you please let me stay here?
Yes you can, you can, let me go, it's hot.
What was that?
I can't hear anything from JOFK.
Nothing?
Hey!
Yes?
Come out here, take a look at this!
What is that cloud?
Cloud?
Do you see those huge clouds? They are called anvils.
This is Okuyama radio station. Hiroshima Station, respond. This is Okuyama radio station.
I found a flyer from Hiroshima on the street.
Everyone who's not busy, go to the district council's building.
Isn't Chita a nurse?
But I've never made sandals before.
We've never done this before either.
Is this right?
Yes.
It's hard with only one hand.
Are you making fun of me?
Why do we need all those sandals?
We'll take them to Hiroshima. After the flash, the roads there melted.
Shoes and Geta are not suitable.
Can I go?
The wounded can't go.
My son was also recently transferred to Hiroshima.
Will you come with me on the truck tomorrow?
The people of Hiroshima helped us when we were bombed, we also should...
My hair won't get in the way now. Take me, please.
You can't go!
I'll trim your hair when we get home.
Our family will go to Hiroshima soon.
They say they dropped a new kind of bomb on Hiroshima.
It's a...
Suzu-san, is your family...
Mom!
People were also sent to the army base there. But...
Did you also come from Hiroshima?
He just sat here and died.
Apparently, he came on foot from Hiroshima.
We never found out who he was. Both his face and body were burnt.
Keep it a secret from Miss Hojo.
It was a scary thing to look at.
I collected the eucalyptus leaves. They can help with the mosquitoes.
Thank you. Hold on, be strong.
Yes.
The names are Jūrō, Kiseno and Sumi Urano.
And also Ito, Marina and Chizuko Morita.
I want to be strong. Kind and strong.
Like the inhabitants of our city.
Oh, come on! We will never surrender to violence.
August 9
Please let me stay here.
I was so worried. You fool. Fool! Fool! Fool!
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
I'm sorry!
I didn't manage to hit a thing.
I will become the laughing stock of the whole fleet.
Suzu-san, why did you collect the enemy flyers?
You're going to be lectured by the kempeitai.
Even If you give them away, they will just burn them.
It's good paper, if you stretch it, it can be used as toilet paper.
Indeed. But now you cannot let other people use the toilet.
We must use everything to survive. This is our battle.
Yeah...
August 15
Come in, please.
Thank you.
Our first duty is to care for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
For the sake of the great peace for all generations to come, we must endure the unbearable.
Strengthen the courage of the spirit, work hard to exalt the glory of the imperial state.
You have just listened to the Emperor's message to the people.
Oh well. It's finally over.
So this means...
that we lost the war.
How's that?
They dropped these terrible bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
And the Soviets entered the war, what else can we do...
They knew what we were getting into, didn't they?
They said we would fight to the end!
There are still five of us living here!
My left hand is in place, and so are both my feet!
Harumi!
They are flying away.
Everything that we done is slipping away.
Everything for which we have endured so much.
What about the rice from beyond the sea? And soybeans?
Our lives depended on them.
Is it possible to surrender in front of violence?
It would be better to die and not know anything.
I saved this for when the last day came.
Today we will eat pure rice.
But not all of it. We'll leave some for tomorrow and the next day.
And after the fifteenth of August came the sixteenth.
And then the seventeenth.
And then September.
And October.
And November, then the next year.
And the year after that and ten years later.
Forever and ever.
It's so white and shiny.
But we got nothing else to eat.
It's all right.
And Shūsaku?
He's working.
It's the duty of the Legal Service to maintain order with the troops.
Let's eat.
The bombings have stopped so no more floating fish.
That's correct.
What are we doing?
I can't see the white rice.
September 1945 (Shōwa 20)
The rainy season had started...
This is the third typhoon since the end of the war.
Since I returned from Hiroshima...
There's no need. Please rest.
Sorry!
The incendiary hole...
I think I see it...
You can always rely on a guy!
I'm sorry. I made another hole.
It hurts.
No..
I went through a great deal of trouble...
Getting caught in a landslide...
I went again and got pushed back again...
I'm sorry...
I had to get the mail delivery too!
At a different postal office.
Oh! Thank you for your hard work
Oh! I can't read this.
I'm home!
Welcome back, Dad!
Hello!
After working 42 years at the Navy arsenal... I've been dismissed!
And was given this hoe for severance!
The house... is creaking?
Wow!
Did the barn collapse?
The evacuation shelter has caved in.
And the road has washed away...
How dumb is this!
Who would have thought it would come now?
The war ended a month ago.
The gods finally showed off their great power!
All we get is this bother of a divine wind.
This is not a laughing matter.
People may have died.
People die in war.
Maybe someday there will be no people.
The letter was from Sumi-chan. She was still alive...
October 6
The Americans finally landed.
I'm being transferred to Otake.
Until the fleet is dissolved.
The Legal Service will be needed to maintain order.
If I had two hands,
I would hold on to him and comfort him.
The streets are empty.
Everyone's getting ready for the occupation.
Consultation with victims of the air raids Kure government agencies
Suzu-san. You should visit home.
Yes.
Let them know how you are doing.
You will have to go by yourself.
While you have time!
Get going!
Yes!
Rin-san...
Rin-san, were you...
able to run away from this city?
There was disheveled child hidden in the attic of our house.
You were that person there...
When people die, they take their memories with them.
I'm sorry...
Any memories that you had disappeared like they never happened.
That seems like it's a luxury in itself.
November 1945 (Shōwa 20)
Ah! Chita-san....
Good afternoon...
Are you going out?
Hojo's wife...
Anyway, I was thinking of going shopping...
That's good...
If you wait, the food rations will be gone.
That parasol...
Yeah. The sun seems really bright today...
I understand your younger sister is still alive.
Yes.
Yes. We were both very lucky...
That's good...
Please take care.
I'll be fine. Make sure you get some rest, hear?
If that stump gets infected, they will have to cut even more off...
Ah! Sister.
Oh, Suzu-san, what's this line for?
I don't know. But I'll gladly take anything.
We are short of everything.
Well, that's true.
The city has changed a lot.
Give me!
I wonder if Hisao begs for chocolate too. Would Harumi have done the same thing?
Leftovers from the American Army.
It's got a piece of paper in it.
So yummy!
Our food is completely tasteless.
The transmitted board
Upper Nagano Neighbor Association
Today's rice distribution is postponed.
It's been a long time since we last had salt and soy sauce.
I gave directions to the American soldiers
and they gave me some chocolate.
With that haircut, they mistook you for a child.
Aren't you sorry to exchange so much clothes for food?
Not at all.
You know, the soldier that sat down and died near the council building, he was my son.
And I didn't even recognize him.
Harumi died in front of your eyes.
Yes...
It was terrible.
Suzu.
When you think of me, smile.
Remain the most ordinary person in the world, Suzu.
Harumi.
Do you see the ship that sits in the harbor, Harumi?
That is the Aoba.
Tetsu, I just saw you smile,
The white rabbits appear on the waves with the herons in the sky.
Harumi was always laughing.
So when I think of Harumi, I'll laugh.
I'll always be smiling now.
And rightly so.
What's the point of crying for pity.
It's a waste of salt.
Thank heaven for the salty sea!
January 1946 (Shōwa 21)
Auntie, grandmother, Chizuko!
You're here.
Suzu-chan!
Sumi-chan?
Suzu-chan!
Did you cut your hair?
Don't get up, you're sick.
I'm just a little dizzy.
Really?
Forgive me, dear sister.
I couldn't go out to gather nori on this cold day.
I suppose you deserve a break today.
If I still had my right hand, I would draw the adventures of our devil-brother to cheer you up.
The adventures? And what would the story be about?
When the ship he was on sank.
He swam to a tiny tropical island.
He stayed there and took a crocodile as his wife.
A crocodile, huh?
Our brother will never come back to Eba.
And Mom too.
Eh?
That day she went to the city, to prepare for the festival.
Dad and I searched for her for many days, but we couldn't find her.
Then Dad got sick and died in October.
He was cremated at school with everyone else.
I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier.
I'm sorry I didn't come home sooner.
It's nice of you not to have come here so early.
Suzu-chan, what's wrong with me?
Will I get better or not?
It will get better! It would be strange if it does not!
Mother?!
Are you...
Oh! Brother!
- We're sorry! - We're sorry!
♪ In the coldest winter
Sachiko!
♪ suddenly a warm wind blows.
Sorry.
Kyoko!
Kyoko, is that you?
In this city everyone is looking for missing relatives.
♪ And brings the smell of the sea wave.
I thought I saw Rin a few times, too.
Suzu-san.
REVIVAL
You're back.
The fleet has been officially dissolved since November, and I am now unemployed.
♪ Some shards on the way sparkle and laugh.
Suzu-san, do you remember how we first met on this bridge?
There's no going back to that time.
♪ You are pushed by the sunny hands.
Us, the city, everything is changing.
But I can always recognize you.
That mole on your cheek is unmistakable.
Thank you, Shūsaku-san.
For finding me in this corner of the world.
Please never leave me, stay with me forever.
♪ You are hugged by a sunset from nori.
♪ No longer hear the sparrows talking.
♪ Do not swim in the dandelion fluff.
♪ One cannot find the gleam among the clouds.
♪ It's hard to know what your neighbors are dreaming of.
♪ It does not go all past.
Leave it be.
I'm very lucky to find a job in Hiroshima.
♪ One after another, these sparkling days become memories.
Yes.
But we live far away. I'd like to...
♪ And you cannot do anything about it.
Thank you. You can eat it yourself.
leave the house and settle here.
You have to take care of Sumi and your grandmother.
No, I'd rather just commute here.
♪ You are just one of the pieces of this vast world.
I'm worried about Hiroshima, but I chose Kure as my home.
♪ You're just one of the pieces,
TICKETS
♪ which someone for some reason collects.
Kure! Kure!
Kure?
Yes, this is Kure.
♪ So, your cherished place always waits for you.
Kure has nine mountain peaks protecting our city.
On the right, Yasumi-yama.
On the left, Hachimaki-yama
And this one, right in the center, Haigamine.
♪ Love is everywhere.
At the foot of it is our house.
♪ Love is everywhere.
♪ In this changing world
Who is this kid?
♪ then there, here, there are pieces of love.
Look, she's covered in lice!
Go and heat up the bathwater. We have to to boil our clothes!
We should start with a bath.
Looks like she hasn't bathed in a long time.
Let's go and give her a bath.
Here's some of Harumi's old clothes. I wonder if it's too small...
♪ Look.
♪ They become one more particle of you.
Cast
Non as Suzu Urano/Hojo
Yoshimasa Hosoya as Hojo Shūsaku
Nanase Iwai as Shiraki Rin
Minori Omi as Keiko Kuromura
Natsuki Inaba as Harumi Kuromura
Mayumi Shintani as Hojo-san
Shigeru Ushiyama as Entaro Hojo
♪ The seed that the bird carried ♪
Tsuyoshi Koyama as Juro Urano
♪ I'm breathing quietly. ♪
Masumi Tsuda as Kitseru Urano
♪ What kind of scenery will spreads? ♪
Megumi Han as Sumi Urano
♪ I envision it in the soil. ♪
Daisuke Ono as Tetsu Mizuhara
Hisako Kyouda as Morita Ito
Music written and performed by: Kotringa
♪ Let's take a peek. ♪
Writers: Fumiyo Kono Chie Uratani Sunao Katabuchi
♪ I'm just a little bit scared ♪
Produced by: Tarô Maki Masao Maruyama Masaya Tajika
♪ I want to see the world that fills my eyes ♪
Director of Photography: Yûya Kumazawa
♪ This feeling is not shaken. ♪
Art Director: Kosuke Hayashi
♪ When the color of the wind changes ♪
Director: Sunao Katabuchi
♪ When rainy thorns are gone ♪
♪ To you, this world ♪
♪ What does it look like? ♪
♪ Here I am taking roots ♪
♪ With a sigh in the middle of a dream ♪
♪ The fluff fills the sky far away ♪
♪ Skip it. ♪
♪ A wish that cannot be fulfilled ♪
♪ A feelings that never reach ♪
♪ Become a deep deep color ♪
♪ To dye me gently ♪
♪ Over that roof. ♪
♪ To the next town ♪
♪ To the garden of someone I don't know ♪
♪ Some of them are stepped on ♪
♪ Some of them are on the ship. ♪
♪ If you can reach your shoulder ♪
♪ A small fire is burning. ♪
♪ There's no sound in the soil ♪
♪ When the time comes for a free tomorrow ♪
♪ I'm sure I'll see you. ♪