Original subtitles

A SHOCHIKU FILM

Produced by SOZOSHA Distributed by SHOCHIKU

PLEASURES OF THE FLESH

Produced by MASAYUKI NAKAJIMA

Based on Pleasures in the Coffin by FUTARO YAMADA

Cinematography by AKIRA TAKADA Production Design by YASUTARO KON

Music by JOJI YUASA Edited by KEIICHI URAOKA

Starring

KATSUO NAKAMURA

MARIKO KAGA

YUMIKO NOGAWA MASAKO YAGI

HIROKO SHIMIZU TOSHIKO HIGUCHI

SHOICHI OZAWA KEI SATO

ROKKO TOURA FUMIO WATANABE

HOSEI KOMATSU DAIGO KUSANO

AKIJI KOBAYASHI MASAHIKO NARUSE

TORU EMORI AKIRA HAMADA, SHINKO UJIIE

Written and Directed by NAGISA OSHIMA

Miss Shoko!

"Teacher, please come see me in my wedding dress. - Shoko."

"Teacher...

please come see me in my wedding dress."

That's right.

That's the only reason I came here today.

Six or seven years ago,

when Shoko was starting high school,

I was a university student working part-time as her tutor.

That's all it was.

Nothing more.

No, there was more.

I fell in love with Shoko, and even killed a man for her sake.

Years earlier,

Shoko's family had gone to the country to escape the summer heat.

Shoko was in second grade. That man sexually assaulted her then.

More than ten years had passed, and although she didn't seem

to have forgotten it completely,

she was a well-adjusted teenage girl.

Yet just when it seemed the painful memory was behind them,

the criminal reappeared to try to blackmail her parents.

They couldn't go to the police.

If they gave him money, he'd just be back for more.

Not knowing what to do, they turned to me for help.

I was filled with rage.

I took the agreed-upon sum

and went to meet him at a cheap hotel in Ueno.

He took the money,

but when I said to leave them alone, he laughed in my face.

He said he was going back to the country.

I followed him onto the night train.

Everything's been taken care of.

Thank you.

If anyone asks, we know nothing.

Okay?

Needless to say,

you must never tell Shoko about any of this.

It isn't much. Just a token of our gratitude.

What's this?

Why are you here so early this morning?

Two days after I killed the man on the train,

a stranger came to see me in the evening.

Does this ring any bells?

MAN KILLED IN FALL FROM TRAIN

I was on that train.

I saw what you did.

Don't worry. I'm not here to arrest you.

TOSHIHIKO HAYAMI AGRICULTURE MINISTRY

I spent all day yesterday

investigating everything about you.

I visited your school and the family for whom you tutor.

You're serious and frugal. People speak highly of you.

For a year now

I've sought someone like you with no connection to myself.

You're perfect.

But I can't figure out why you killed that man.

He was a monster who deserved to die.

I had to do it for justice's sake.

I believe you.

Anyway, it makes no difference.

It seems you have no intention of turning yourself in,

and that's good.

You need to be alive for what I'm about to ask.

What do you want?

I embezzled 30 million yen in public funds.

I want you to keep it for me.

If you tell the police,

I'll tell them about your crime, and we both lose.

I've embezzled 98 million in all.

The way I figure it,

I'll be discovered within six months and brought to trial.

I've studied the law. I'll get five years at most.

I'll be in my early 30s then with 30 million yen.

I could never make that much as an ordinary bureaucrat.

All the dreams of my youth are riding on this crime.

My reputation will be destroyed,

but people quickly forget,

and there will be other corrupt officials to make the news.

I'll soon be forgotten.

That's my story.

So as long as you comply with my request,

this money will be safe.

And as long as it's safe, so are you.

Understand?

I assume you agree?

And so that I'll know where to find you when I get out,

you must go on living here.

And one last thing:

You must never touch this money!

He was found out two months later.

The following year,

he was sentenced to five years.

It all happened just as he'd predicted.

I've never been tempted to touch the money, of course.

Opening that suitcase would not only ruin my life,

but my crime would be discovered,

and my beloved Shoko would be destroyed as well.

But now she's gone off and married someone else.

In another year that man will be coming for his money.

I'll just stare at him blankly as he walks off,

and then I'll return to a life with no money and nobody to love...

until the day I die.

It won't even be a tragedy. It'll be a farce!

Miss Shoko!

What is it?

Didn't you go on your honeymoon?

Didn't your marriage work out?

Or did you realize...

how I feel about you?

No, we mustn't. It can only lead to trouble.

The world would never allow it.

I doubt I could make you happy, as poor as I am.

You must know that.

Go back to your husband.

I'd rather die than go back to him.

Really?

Then there's no other choice. I'll die with you.

But if we're going to die...

let's run away together and enjoy the time we have left.

I have 30 million yen.

We're going to die anyway. Let's just spend it all.

Where did you get so much money?

It's time for this farce to end!

What are you doing?

Do you want to ruin my life?

I can die after a year.

After a year, when I've spent all this,

it will be an easy way to take care of everything.

That man never found out

why I committed the murder.

He doesn't know anything about you.

You'll be safe even if I'm dead.

When he gets out of prison...

all he'll find are an empty suitcase...

and my dead body.

The empty suitcase...

will be my coffin.

I have a year to spend 30 million.

On what?

On women.

I'm not cry, cry, crying...

It's just the cocktail's

Blue, blue, blue glass

That's reflected in my eyes

I'm suddenly drunk and it feels so nice

How bittersweet it will be to wake up tomorrow

Though flowers may bloom, bloom, bloom

The next day they scatter

Tonight, tonight, tonight

Let's blossom out of season

Tonight, at least, let's enjoy the pleasures of the flesh

This is for you.

Why?

I like you.

Fine, but...

The truth is...

you look like my girlfriend.

Then why not give it to her?

She got married.

Then why are you giving me this music box?

You hate her now, don't you?

So you must hate me too.

I do. I want to take out my revenge on your body.

That's a new one.

I feel sorry for you.

There's 100,000 yen inside.

- What a shame. - It's all yours.

What an odd man!

Listen, can you come back tomorrow? I'll get the night off.

This isn't about tomorrow or the next day.

I'm talking about a long-term contract.

A long-term contract?

I want to live with you.

- Is this some kind of joke? - No.

I'll give you 500,000 a month, to spend as you please.

500,000 yen?

You're lying. - I'm not!

But...

how'd you come by so much money?

I won't be in Japan much longer.

I plan to spend all of my inheritance before I leave.

Where will you go?

France.

How nice! Paris?

No, Marseille.

- Let's dance. - I don't know how.

So what do you say? Oui or non?

For a million a month, the answer's oui.

This is wonderful!

I'm so happy!

Even if it's only for a year.

What a nice bathroom! I think I'll take a bath.

Care to join me?

Later. You go on.

You sure? All right.

It's your turn now.

That's okay.

- Go on. I'll help you undress. - I said it's okay.

Not right now.

Yes, right now.

Take your bath first.

You've changed so much in just two months.

It's only natural.

There are only ten months left.

That's right!

Tell me...

where will you take me tomorrow?

The movies?

A baseball game? The races?

A boxing match? Bowling? Golfing? Dancing?

A French restaurant? Or Chinese?

Tokyo has every kind of food and entertainment.

It's so much fun.

I don't know how to thank you for all this.

Have you always loved perfume so much?

Is there a woman who doesn't?

I don't mind, but it vanishes as you use it.

So does everything else.

There's nothing like perfume for burning through money.

I don't mind if you go over your allowance,

but you'd be better off

setting a little aside for the future.

It's not in my nature to save money.

And who are you to lecture me about wasting money?

- I'm different. - Why?

You can buy anything if you have the money.

I have everything I need.

But maybe I'll have plastic surgery...

to remember you by.

You're lucky...

to be so passionate about making yourself beautiful.

Whose is this?

Yours.

And this?

Yours.

And this?

Yours.

Wasn't that our agreement? You've bought every part of me.

I wonder.

You don't think so?

Sometimes it feels as if you've bought me.

- Now get out. - What?

I gave you your money.

Listen, Hitomi.

You said some fool was giving you a million yen a month for a year.

You promised me at least 300,000 a month

if I left you alone.

You not only broke your promise. Now you're bossing me around.

You have to leave him. - No.

And even if I did, I'd never come back to you.

I plan to be a fashion model or star in commercials.

Hitomi...

you've become so beautiful.

It's been so long.

Forget it.

There's a fine bed right here, and I'm your husband, after all.

I said no!

What's that? - Acid.

I brought it just in case you didn't cooperate.

Lie down.

Close the bottle first!

Hurry up. He's coming back.

What do I care? To hell with him!

All right. Leave now.

Oh, I'll leave all right...

but I'll cast a spell on your face first.

- A spell? - So you can't leave me.

You said you wanted to be a model.

You've turned into such a beautiful woman.

You just might make it.

But that won't do me any good if you dump me.

What are you doing?

Just a drop or two on your face.

I lost a finger for you. You owe it to me.

Don't move, or even more will spill.

Bastard! You were here all along?

Don't do anything stupid.

Son of a bitch!

I'll throw this in your face.

Go ahead, but leave her alone.

She's a gold mine for you.

You'll lose everything.

I'll let you off this time.

But this could come flying at you any moment,

so watch out.

Is Miss Hitomi in?

Who are you gentlemen?

We're from Hanawa Enterprises.

Ah, there you are.

The boss wants to see you. Come with us.

She's under no obligation to go.

Excuse me, but what are you to Miss Hitomi?

I should be asking you that.

Actually, Miss Hitomi

was our boss's girl.

He was very attached to her.

As a special favor, he gave her to one of his underlings -

I mean, one of his employees.

But given how close he was to her,

he feels some responsibility for her.

I don't want the old man feeling responsible for me.

The boss will feel responsible for whomever he wants.

And recently...

there've been some ugly rumors about you.

The head of the Hanawa gang...

told us to bring you in on a leash if need be.

Do you refuse?

So the guy without a pinkie told your boss what happened, huh?

What did he give your boss for the girl?

A little finger.

- A little finger? - So the boss says...

that any guy who wants to set her free

has to give up a little finger to have her.

What's a little finger cost?

Three million.

It's human flesh, after all.

That's cheap.

But I don't have it here. Come back tomorrow.

Don't pay them anything. They'll just come back for more.

I'll pay...

my own debt!

Hitomi!

I'm leaving him now anyway.

Give this to the old man or my ex,

or anybody else who wants it.

Why, why, why did you

Fall in love with me

When you know, know, know how fleeting a man's love can be?

Is she new around here?

No, she was on vacation.

- Think she'll come with me tonight? - Come with you?

She's married.

All the better.

Though flowers may bloom, bloom, bloom

The next day they scatter

Tonight, tonight, tonight

Let's blossom out of season

Please, I have to go home tonight.

I'll go with you another time.

No, you're coming with us.

Why don't you just give in?

Have fun.

Forgive me. He's my husband.

I'm sorry.

I told him not to come, but our child is sick.

Shouldn't you go see?

It's not too serious.

He just came for money for a doctor.

How old is the child?

Three. She's in nursery school.

What's wrong with her?

He says she has a fever. She gets them often.

What does your husband do?

He's had lots of jobs, but his luck always turns bad.

His employers all went bankrupt.

He's looking after the children now.

I give you a lot of money every month. Don't you send it to him?

I do...

but I once signed as guarantor for a friend's debts.

She committed suicide,

and now I have to pay them off.

What's your husband got going for him?

I'm not sure. Nothing, I guess.

Haven't you ever thought about leaving him?

Listen, Shizuko...

I've been giving you a million a month as promised,

but no more.

I'll pay for groceries and electricity.

You'll get the rest when we split up.

What do you say?

Will you stay even under those terms?

Why are you so cruel to me?

I'm sorry.

Did you give him more?

Forgive me.

You think I didn't know?

Shizuko...

you once asked why I was so cruel to you.

You look like a girl who betrayed me,

so when I see you, I feel like killing you.

You don't believe me?

- But - - But what?

I don't think you really hate me.

What?

Or the other woman either.

Shizuko...

you know I'm not like other men, don't you?

I pay you a million yen a month to live with me.

I have no job. All I do is make love to you.

Where do you think that money's from?

I'm spending embezzled public funds.

A petty bureaucrat in the Agriculture Ministry

stole it and left it in my care. You know why?

He saw me commit murder. To buy his silence,

I had to guard the money until he got out of prison.

The man I killed molested my first love.

I decided to spend the money

only because that woman married another man.

I'm doing it to spite her -

no, to defy my own absurd fate.

When she gave herself to another man...

I refused to just curl up and cry!

POLICE HEADQUARTERS

Is anyone home?

It's my husband.

He'd like to speak to you.

My name is Egi. Thank you for taking care of my wife.

No, thank you.

This is a very nice house.

Isn't it, honey?

Why are you here?

I'm the one supporting Shizuko right now.

For all intents and purposes, I'm her husband,

so please don't act so intimate with her.

I'm sorry.

I know...

it's selfish to ask this of you...

but could you please let us have her back?

As you can see, we have small children,

so I beg you for mercy.

I even brought our children.

Please, for their sake, grant us this favor.

I trust you.

I told my husband you weren't such a bad man, but he -

Shizuko, we can't go on like this. You have to tell him.

I see.

So you know my secret and want to blackmail me.

But you think I'm some great villain,

so you tremble as if facing some monster.

No!

Please forgive us.

Shizuko, we never get a break.

You thought our luck had turned with that million a month,

but I didn't believe it. It was too good to be true.

We were born under an unlucky star.

You're bleeding!

Let's go.

Come on.

Where?

Please come in.

"Shizuko...

you two enjoy being unhappy.

Perversely, you're only happy when you're miserable.

I want to make you both suffer.

How can I make you as unhappy as possible?"

- Excuse me. - Yes?

I'd like to pay that man's bill.

I just quit.

"How can I make you two as unhappy as possible?

I've concluded the worst thing I can do to you is make you happy.

The house is yours.

The rest of the money I promised you is in the desk.

You can live happily off that for a while.

But eventually you'll grow uneasy amidst such happiness."

Why did you quit?

Because he kissed you? - Isn't it obvious?

You didn't seem to be resisting.

It's difficult to struggle with a man

who's burning with lust.

I waited for that wave of lust to pass to slap him.

"That's when you'll fall

into the true misery from which there is no escape.

It'll serve you right."

You're not crazy, are you?

Not at all. Examine me if you wish.

I'm not a psychiatrist.

Well? Is it yes or no?

I don't have much time.

I'm sorry.

- You refuse? - That's right.

Of course I do.

Miss Keiko.

Three million yen in three months -

for someone with no job,

it's certainly tempting.

I could focus on my research.

But I just can't.

I can't give myself to you. I feel no love for you.

We can just be friends until you come to love me.

Let's go away together for a month.

If you don't love me by then, I'll give up.

I'll pay you for the month anyway. What do you say?

- Well? - Well what?

- Feeling better? - What do you mean?

You looked uneasy.

That's because I'm in Hokkaido with a stranger.

You can't expect me not to be uneasy.

How about letting down your armor?

You've never been with a man, have you?

Am I wrong?

I don't have to answer such an insulting question.

Besides, I'm a doctor. I know all about it.

May I kiss you?

What's going on? You're burning up!

Will you be okay?

I think it's a cold.

I'll be fine as long as it doesn't turn into pneumonia.

Are you awake?

How do you feel?

The doctor stopped by yesterday.

I was relieved to hear you've recovered.

I'm leaving now.

I never dreamt you'd be sick in bed for three weeks.

It's a month today since we set out.

I've paid the hotel bill and medical expenses.

And here's one million yen, as promised.

I'm really happy you're better.

I was afraid something might happen,

especially since I was the reason you got sick.

You haven't spoken to me since that day,

but I don't blame you.

Wait!

Where will you go?

I've come this far. I'll push on until the end.

I want to go with you.

Keiko...

try to love me.

Even if you can't love me, sleep with me just once.

Just once. It doesn't have to be for three months.

Please. I'll pay.

A million yen for one time. Two million!

Please, Keiko!

I beg you!

No?

Why not?

I see.

What are you doing?

It's dangerous!

Keiko!

Stop!

It's dangerous!

It's dangerous!

Come back!

Are you trying to kill yourself?

I won't do anything, I swear!

Come back!

Keiko, I'm -

Don't say anything.

Not here. Not on this trip.

Let's go back to Tokyo and get married.

Married? But -

One month's already over. There are only two months left.

You'll be gone after that, right?

That's all right.

We can get divorced then.

Don't be afraid.

I'm all right.

Tell me...

just who are you?

What are you?

I realize now I can't give myself for the first time

to a man I don't know.

Now you ask me?

I tried to tell you before, but you wouldn't listen.

Tell me.

No.

- If you don't tell me - - Lie down.

No.

I'm back.

What are you doing? - You're home early.

We're falling into a rut, aren't we?

It's clear you're repressed.

And with such a beautiful body, too.

All women are like this.

But I'm content.

Tell me...

what were you looking for earlier?

Just what kind of man are you?

You've bought me for a million yen a month,

and in a month you'll be gone.

What kind of fate is weighing on you?

I know.

We agreed not to talk about that.

May I have some water?

What's that girl's name? - Mari.

She's mute and a little crazy, but she's nice, isn't she?

You'll need something. - What?

Don't you want to know who I am?

I finally got out. Why did you move?

I didn't.

I still have my old room. This is temporary.

Please hand it over.

Did you take good care of it?

Oh, that...

Heaven forbid you lost it.

Did you spend it? Well, did you?

What did you do with it? Answer me.

Answer me!

I spent it.

You what?

Did you think I'd let that pass? Did you think I'd just go away

and not turn you in?

Forgive me.

I planned to kill myself before you got out.

Then die now!

Have you come to?

Someone saw you and called the police.

A few minutes more and you'd have died.

Artificial respiration didn't work.

I had to suck the muddy water out of you.

You promised to divorce me in a month,

but I want a divorce now.

You know why better than anyone.

You're disgusting.

This is what you were looking for the other day,

isn't it?

Welcome back.

I'd like that girl again.

- Today's not good. - Why not?

Does he mean Mari? You can tell him.

That man had entrusted Mari to my care.

He's a local gangster.

He was in prison for nearly killing a man.

I see. And Mari belongs to him?

That's right. His name is Kudo.

Mr. Kudo, would you let me have Mari?

What?

I'd like to live with her for a while.

Son of a bitch!

I didn't mean for free. I'll pay.

Bastard!

You lookin' to die?

- How's a million a month? - A million?

You think I'm a fool?

Just for a month.

Go to hell!

Here's a deposit.

I'll take her now.

There's no hurry, Mari.

We'll be living together for a while.

Understand?

Thing is...

I've only got a month to live.

Understand?

You don't, do you?

That's okay.

You don't have to. Better if you don't.

All I ask...

is that for the month I have left...

you let me drown myself in you.

Mari, where did you go?

Shoko!

Mari, have you been out looking for customers?

Beat it!

I may have sold her to you,

but I can't help it if she came back.

She's got streetwalking in her bones.

Right?

It's the only thing that makes her happy.

How about 100,000 each time?

I'll come back every day.

Hey, boss...

I'm out of my league.

I'm giving Mari to you.

No, I prefer to pay.

Don't be mad!

Forgive me.

I want to learn from you.

Learn from me?

And I need your help.

I'd rather not discuss it in public.

He stashed away 30 million yen before going to jail.

Some guy is keeping it for him.

I've looked everywhere but can't find him.

I went to his place,

but the landlords didn't know where he was.

Seemed fishy to me.

I didn't believe them.

I watched the place for a few days, but no sign of him.

And with the cops still watching me,

I can't be too obvious about what I'm doing.

I've got buddies around, but none I can trust.

If I say anything, everyone will find out.

I've had my eye on you. I think I can trust you.

What do I have to do?

Go and watch his place.

If you recover the 30 million,

you can keep five million.

I know you don't really need the dough...

so I'll throw in Mari for free.

Who told you about all this?

Tell me.

Why do you want to know?

Tell me.

Here's 200,000. It's all that's left.

All that's left?

I heard about it in jail.

In jail? From whom?

The guy who hid the money, some official named Hayami.

He told me about it just before he died.

Hayami... is dead?

Yeah. Right before I was released,

he caught a cold that turned into pneumonia,

and he died from it.

Stupid son of a bitch!

He hid that 30 million so carefully,

but no one ever brought him anything.

Mari was always bringing me stuff.

He wanted some of my candy, so he told me everything.

Of course, he didn't know he was going to die.

What's the matter, boss?

I was the one keeping the 30 million!

I'm Atsushi Wakizaka.

What about the 30 million?

I just gave you the last of it! There's nothing left!

Son of a bitch! You trying to make a fool of me?

Go to hell!

Help!

So now you're shaking, huh?

If you want help, give me the 30 million!

I told you the truth.

It's all gone. - All gone?

Bullshit! You couldn't spend that much in five years.

I spent it in one year! I spent it all this past year!

Cocky son of a bitch! You know how much that is a month?

I heard you killed a man.

Now it's your turn.

Get ready to die!

Mari?

Mari, he's a bad man.

He killed a man and spent 30 million yen that wasn't his.

If I go to the police, he'll hang.

Whatever he gave you, you don't owe him anything.

He made fools of us!

The bastard spent all the money I was supposed to get!

No, give it back!

What are you doing?

Do you love him?

Shoko!

Sorry to barge in.

What are you doing here?

I wondered if I'd still find you here.

I was a bit worried you might have moved.

Why?

It seems you became very rich.

Me, rich?

Actually, I saw you a few times

after I got married,

but you were always with beautiful women,

so I was afraid to say hello.

You seemed so different from before.

I hope you don't mind,

but since it seemed a bit odd,

I called the ad agency where you used to work.

They told me you had quit.

Teacher, how did you make so much money?

The stock market?

An inheritance?

Yet you're still living in a place like this.

Shoko, why are you here?

Teacher...

would you do me a favor?

Anything.

When it dawned upon me,

I almost cried out in thanks to the gods.

When what dawned upon you?

That you might have become rich.

What does my wealth have to do with you?

You're far richer than I am.

Your husband owns a famous cosmetics company.

The thing is...

we're on the brink of bankruptcy.

We need money by the end of the month,

or our checks will bounce.

My husband's frantic,

and I'm doing everything I can to find some money.

You have no money?

No!

If you have any, would you lend me some?

Ten million, five million. Even two or three.

Even 300,000 would help.

Please!

I had 30 million.

Thirty million?

But there isn't a yen left.

You're lying! Don't lie to me!

I'm not. I really had it.

It can't be true.

Don't tease me like this.

Please lend me some.

I'll do anything you say. Anything!

There isn't a yen left.

I spent it all in one year.

Really?

Where did you get it?

I was keeping it for someone.

You remember about five years ago,

an official named Hayami embezzled almost 100 million?

He hid 30 million with me.

But why?

So he'd have it when he got out of prison.

He blackmailed me. He knew I'd killed a man.

He knew the secret that could destroy me.

Killed a man?

You killed a man?

Why? Who?

And why did you spend all that money?

You killed a man?

Why? Who?

Shoko, I did it for you.

It was the man who molested you.

And why did you spend all that money?

Because you'd married another man.

Atsushi Wakizaka?

You're under arrest for murder.

Murder? You mean last night?

You killed someone last night too?

We'll look into that later.

You're under arrest for a murder committed five years ago,

and for being an accessory to embezzlement.

What are you doing? Spit it out!

Tell me: Who turned me in?

A woman? Tell me, or I'll swallow.

Just don't play dumb later.

It was a woman you've known for ten years.

Understand now?

Shoko...

THE END

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