Original subtitles

In her 100th role on screen,

Mariko OKADA is Shinko, the heroine

SHOCHIKU PRESENTS

AKITSU SPRINGS

A Mariko OKADA project

Produced by: Masao SHIRAI

Based on the book by: Shinji FUJIWARA

Screenplay: Kijû YOSHIDA

Cinematography: Tôichirô NARUSHIMA

Set design: Tatsuo HAMADA

Music: Hikaru HAYASHI

Costume design: Mariko OKADA

Sound: Shôtarô YOSHIDA

Lighting: Akio TAMURA

Editing: Yoshi SUGIHARA

Starring:

Mariko OKADA

Hiroyuki NAGATO

Sô YAMAMURA

Jûkichi UNO

Eijirô TÔNO

Fukuko SAYO

Sumiko HIDAKA

Mutsuko SAKURA

Masahiko NAKAMURA

Directed by: Kijû YOSHIDA

Who are you?

Kawamoto.

Shûsaku, the son of the house.

How lucky you are...

not to have experienced this horror.

Fire... Okayama was an ocean of flames.

Our hair was burning on our heads.

The air was hot, so hot...

We stepped into the river for a whole day,

because we were so hot.

Where is my aunt?

How lucky to have a family!

She took refuge in Tottori.

I'm going to sleep here tonight.

Mom, it's ready!

I'm coming.

You don't want any?

Aren't you a disaster victim? Please have some...

No thanks.

Don't be modest.

My brother is in the army.

I wanted to improve his rations,

but he refused because of his pals.

I came from Akitsu for nothing.

Akitsu...

Do you know Akitsu?

Akitsu...

From Tsuyama, you go deeper into the mountains.

In old times, it was a truly peaceful haven.

A health resort,

in a valley, with a river...

full of tree frogs.

Have you ever been there?

An air raid!

What happened? You're pale.

Take me to Akitsu.

Tottori is too far.

I won't make it.

Where can I rest?

Well, I'm working at an inn, but...

Please!

Boss!

Why are you yelling?

I brought a customer.

This is really not the time!

He seems ill.

With all the military doctors, we have no more rooms.

How rude!

Say that again!

Come on, say it again!

Stay there!

Take it easy!

- Have a drink. - It's a woman...

Bitch!

Losing the war!

Our divine mission...

Our honor, she doesn't care!

I'll kill her!

She's just a child.

Please forgive her.

Our lives are at stake.

Do you understand what that means?

This attitude is unacceptable!

Even for a woman.

Calm down! We're here to have fun!

Shut up!

Where's the girl? Go get her!

Stop, I'm begging you!

Enough! Come upstairs with us!

What a shame!

I'm bringing some saké.

Quiet!

They're gone.

It's over.

Can you hear me?

I feel good.

I almost fell asleep.

Are you the guest O-Tami brought with her?

How careless! Coming to a hot springs in these circumstances!

What is it?

Do you have a headache?

No, just a hobby.

A strange hobby!

You're like a bear at the zoo.

Smart aleck!

Are you angry?

In Tokyo, were you a student?

O-Tami said so.

Me too, I was a student until late March, in Yokohama.

I wanted to stay,

but with all the bombings...

My mother remarried here.

But my father is dead.

I used to hate my stepfather tremendously.

We may have passed each other on the train.

I often used to go to Tokyo to see friends.

Do you feel bad? Do you want some water?

No thanks.

You have to get yourself examined by the doctors here.

Leave!

Leave me alone!

Strange man! I just wanted to help you!

Get out of here!

You're bleeding!

Someone, quick! Mom!

You mustn't get up.

Mr. Kawamoto!

Where are you going?

He's unfit for military service! So no medicine!

But nevertheless...

If he wants to live, he must hang on!

What a fuss!

What a nice guest you have.

I'm sorry.

Roku, carry him!

- Where to? - To the annex.

Can we really...

O-Tami, help us.

How shameful! Depriving him of medicine!

I'll cure him all by myself.

He was suffering so much.

He was banging his head against the walls.

I've never seen such a face.

No one could imagine...

He is doing everything he can.

How many can face death like he does?

The emperor is announcing on the radio

that the war is over and that Japan has lost.

What's happening?

A speech from His Majesty.

I don't understand a single word.

His Majesty, the Emperor, has just announced

that he has accepted the unacceptable,

that the allied forces have won.

As a sign of submission, we are going to bow.

To the right, right!

Let's salute facing the Palace.

Miss Shinko!

What's happening?

What's happening, Miss Shinko?

What is it?

What happened?

We lost.

Japan lost the war.

Tired?

No, I can go on.

Good! You know,

I told Mom that you would recover.

So if you don't recover, I lose.

Thank you.

I owe you so much.

What a transformation!

You were there, staring at the ceiling,

like a mute person.

You barely answered "yes" or "no."

If I've survived, it's thanks to you.

Right...

I am somebody.

I saved a human being.

Shinko!

I feel so good!

The war is over. I just can't believe it.

Shûsaku!

Shûsaku!

Where are you hiding?

Where are you?

Answer me!

It's not nice to hide!

I'm here!

How mean! You did that on purpose!

I was listening to your voice.

It's so full of health.

Call me again.

You are strange!

I thought Akitsu would become my tomb.

A vague premonition.

But I don't want to die anymore.

You taught me to live.

On August 15th, you wept.

I had never imagined so many tears.

It was at that moment...

that I decided to live at all costs.

Boss...

Take this as payment.

In Okayama, you'll never find one like this.

Inherited from my aunt.

Bought abroad.

A watch doesn't fill up your stomach.

It's good luck!

Then why are you selling it?

I despise the desire for possession.

Life is just a farce played by idiots.

Sound and fury...

Party and fury!

Let's wallow in destruction.

Otherwise... never more.

Never more.

Sir... won't you give it to me?

How much?

What I have.

Okay! That's fine!

Saké!

What an idiot!

Come on, let's drink!

I've had enough.

Matsumiya, tell me,

why did you write a novel?

I don't know either.

Maybe I was tired of writing...

about other people in the newspapers.

I wanted to speak for myself.

Big brother...

What's up?

Come back home quick.

Mom fainted.

The doctor has no hope.

Hey, Harue!

What's happening?

Mr. Kawamoto!

Where are you going?

Taking a walk.

Rain is no good for you!

You have to move your hips!

- Will you really get some? - Some what?

Anti-tuberculosis medicine.

- The streptomycin? - I want some! At any price.

Okay. It's a deal.

Thank you very much.

Good evening!

Just as I thought! Let's get back home!

Leave me!

No! You're sick.

- What will you have? - Nothing. Same for him.

Please, I want one.

Since when do you smoke?

That's your fault.

They say it protects you from germs... Nonsense.

You have nothing to fear.

Why?

You are bursting with health.

Give me some saké.

You drink now?

If I want to! What's it to you?

Stupid girl, this is no joke!

You're the stupid one! Who'd want to drink this?

You wouldn't understand.

Go ahead and die, if that's what you want!

Shinko!

To tell the truth, I'm...

I'm tired of everything... even you.

No, I'm rather tired of living.

Well, how should I say it...

It weighs me down.

Everything around me weighs me down.

To free myself,

I sold everything that my aunt left me.

And I came back here to die.

I know all that.

- So, let me! - It's not so simple!

Who fought to live? It was you, wasn't it?

I haven't forgotten. I remember that.

Shûsaku is no more.

"Like a flower in the tempest,"

"Life is nothing but a farewell."

Shûsaku Kawamoto...

You know, this old fool...

was obsessed with hanging himself.

He did extensive research,

but death by hanging is cruel.

It's not pretty.

I'd like to sleep forever.

But I've lived another day.

And you complain about me getting drunk.

Is it because I survived?

Or is this the end?

Shûsaku, that's enough!

Please go away.

The doctor forbid you to take hot baths.

I would like to die clean.

Again with that nonsense?

Don't come any closer!

Die with me.

I want you to die with me.

A double suicide?

What's so funny?

I speak of death and my loved one laughs.

You laugh very well.

You also know crying and anger.

I envy your talents.

I'm so jealous,

I could even kill you.

You couldn't kill anyone!

I survived only for you.

But this bond is no more.

Shûsaku,

do you really love me?

Yes.

Truly?

I love you.

Then I accept death.

Shûsaku, I will die with you.

A sleeping pill.

Is it enough?

Afterwards, we'll go in the water.

But I can swim.

Have you written a will?

No need.

Mom will cry.

O-Tami will too.

She'll cry like a fountain.

Like the day her brother was killed by the bomb,

she'll continue to cry.

Who will comfort her this time?

Mom will be in tears.

Maybe the cook will?

- I'll tie us up. - No!

That tickles!

Excuse me, here is the tea.

The bridegroom, what did you think?

Leave her alone until the time is right.

These days, we only talk about love marriages.

- Right, Miss Shinko? - Oh, you know...

But your mother would be relieved to have a son-in-law.

It's hard to manage an inn all alone.

I hate this job.

Oh, not good enough for young folk?

We're back!

Welcome!

- We're back. - Welcome!

Shûsaku...

- What's all the fuss? - Where's Shûsaku?

He went back to Okayama.

Why?

Why did he leave?

I asked him to.

He needs to recover somewhere else.

You don't know anything!

He'll die if he's left alone.

I know very well how you feel about him,

but life is a long journey.

I refuse today's bridegroom.

I refuse any arranged marriage.

It's such a joke! I almost burst out laughing!

You can have your way this time.

But you can't have Mr. Kawamoto!

Mom, you only think of yourself!

This Akitsu Inn...

You know very well...

that you didn't want to come here.

You've never been in love.

Where are you going?

What does it matter? I'm leaving!

Congratulations.

With a baby on the way,

Shûsaku will have to settle down.

You know, he doesn't write much these days.

Excuse me, is Mr. Matsumiya here?

Ah, Matsumiya!

A call from Tokyo.

They want to award you the Young Authors' Prize.

What a way to start the year!

I can't believe it!

Yes, it's true.

So, your reaction?

Your world has turned upside down,

with journalist interviews.

What's up?

He's been awarded the Young Authors' Prize.

The Young Authors' Prize?

Please, a word or two.

Good... I'm happy.

Big brother,

congratulations.

Let's see...

He's a genius,

some kind of genius.

It's only natural that he won.

At the age of 40, he's still working hard.

He gets offered every prize.

They don't hand 'em out to just anyone.

Matsumiya, let's celebrate!

Wait a while for the confirmation.

You're kidding! As of tomorrow, you're the star.

Got any saké?

Sorry, there's no more.

Dear?

What do you want?

Stay here, I beg you.

It's our first New Year's Day together.

I'm sorry.

You know the tourist magazine?

The editor ran away without paying me.

Don't worry,

I can earn a living.

My brother just said,

he would like to see you write more seriously.

What? Who does he take me for?

I would never lower myself

to writing the kind of drivel he does!

But... he's receiving a prize!

Dear!

Akitsu?

One more pitiful time?

Miss Shinko!

What a bother!

What's up?

He came back, Mr. Kawamoto!

It's been three years!

He hasn't forgotten us.

Anyone here?

Bring me some socks.

Hurry!

There you are! Happy New Year!

And best wishes!

Play some more! Always the same song...

You postwar types

are always so high and mighty.

You're drunk, aren't you?

I could barely sleep, I'm a wimp.

He came to drink in the snow!

Not like those upstarts in the Korean War.

They don't know anything,

and they ask me to play jazz!

It also has to swing!

How horrible!

Stop babbling, start playing!

Your mother is dead?

Last summer.

She's courageous! She kept the inn all by herself!

You can come back later.

No! Let's drink together!

How charming!

Watch out, I think I have a crush on him.

Granny Geisha, drink this!

Watch who you're calling "granny."

Shûsaku, why did you come back?

He came for the beauties like us.

You, shut up!

Why, you...

You've changed!

Don't look at me like that!

I just let myself be carried by my desires.

Pretty girls...

are pretty indeed!

Don't tempt me!

Hey, more saké!

Please, brink some saké.

She ruined your party, huh?

My first love,

I come to visit you...

Thanks, goodbye.

Bye bye!

Open up! Open up!

Shûsaku...

It would have been better if you died!

O-Shin!

You're making a ruckus!

O-Tami,

I got married last April.

This is my last time at Akitsu.

And Miss Shinko?

I just told you, it's over!

You drank too much...

Is O-Tami there?

I'm leaving. Going home.

Send me the bill.

It's 50,000 yen, right?

Since the New Year,

I've been a little short. Sorry.

We've sold the land with our springs.

I think a tourist agency wants to build a hotel there.

It's very tedious when guests come from far away.

And for you, Miss Shinko,

who had to take care of Akitsu Inn,

just because your mother remarried.

My decision is the same.

I'll take care of it myself.

I thought that you hated the job...

I have very little choice.

Just in time!

He really wants to leave.

O-Shin!

Stop calling me that!

It makes me feel old.

Tell me about your wife.

O-Tami told you?

You could have informed me about your marriage.

Strange man!

Why did you bring geishas?

I was afraid to see you again.

Afraid of me?

No.

Afraid of myself.

My life is falling apart.

I know very well that I've changed.

My life isn't easy.

Plus, I'm gonna be a father.

Tell me, your wife...

How is she doing?

Why are you asking?

Because I want to know...

She's like cotton.

Like cotton?

And me? How do you see me?

Tell me...

What am I like?

You...

Shinko...

On the day of defeat,

you cried for hours.

You cried so sincerely,

that I decided to live.

To live just a little.

These hands...

These are what comforted me.

I want to stay like this.

I'm going to miss the bus.

You should get married.

Here, this is for you!

I couldn't give you a wedding present.

Don't say such nonsense!

Promise me this...

That you'll return to Akitsu with your wife.

Remember that I saved you.

You owe me after all.

Okay? Do you promise?

You're still here?

You're going to catch a cold.

Where is Mr. Kawamoto?

He had to go.

So he already left...

If I...

had known it would be like this...

Instead of having regrets, I would have chosen death.

After all, this is the result.

I can't do anything else.

I haven't done anything!

But it's his fault.

This is all I have left...

This Akitsu Inn.

"Confronted with this glorious nature,"

"I contemplate the futility of Man."

"In the quiet of these remote hills,"

"death is no further away than combat."

I'm hungry!

Daddy will be finished with class soon.

Come help Mommy with packing this up.

Finally done.

Dear...

You don't seem convinced.

Working in Tokyo with a publisher...

doesn't seem to make you happy.

Recommended by my brother, the famous writer.

What an amazing honor...

You really think that?

Sure. Why do you keep asking?

This came two months ago,

from O-Tami at Akitsu Inn...

Why didn't you say anything?

You might get angry.

I've been afraid to open the mailbox every day.

I feared other letters would arrive.

From the beginning,

I knew that you were going to Akitsu,

with someone called Shinko.

Nonsense!

It's not nonsense!

The kid is listening!

You only listen to yourself!

Miss Shinko went to admire the cherries.

Isn't it the peak of the season?

We don't get many guests here.

I'll go look for her. Go inside.

It's been a while... Four years?

Why are you just sitting there?

It feels good, cool.

I drank a bit too much.

Same as always, Shinko.

What makes you say that?

You don't know anything!

For you to be able to say that,

you would need to visit me more often!

You're drunk.

Yes, I am.

It's all your fault!

Oh really?

Yes, really.

Anything that's wrong, I learned it from you.

Alcohol, cigarettes...

From me...

Is there anything you've learned from me?

What have I taught you?

To live.

Right.

You haven't forgotten.

I didn't forget.

But whether I'm alive or dead,

I don't know which one.

I probably shouldn't say that.

Don't worry. I forgive you.

After all, you came back without forgetting.

It's so dark in here!

O-Tami, same as always!

That again...

How irresponsible!

Arguing already?

O-Tami, I read your letter.

My wife had hidden it from me.

O-Tami, you wrote to him?

Excuse me...

You had no right...

O-Tami, drink with us.

No thanks, I wouldn't want to impose.

It's been ten years...

You were so pale, so fragile.

I haven't done anything this whole time.

I do nothing, I think nothing.

And suddenly, ten years have passed.

That's not true.

Many things have happened.

Nothing but bad things.

When you absolutely wanted to kill yourself, I was shocked.

I had no idea how hard life could be.

Then, not to be outdone,

I absolutely wanted to live.

I wanted you to feel the same way.

That's what made me live.

But you weren't meant for Akitsu.

You had to leave one day.

Since you've been gone,

what do you think I've been doing?

Waiting patiently.

Waiting to the point of exhaustion.

How stupid, being human.

I'm moving to Tokyo.

This pathetic visit is my last.

I truly am a worthless person.

I don't know how to die.

I'm not young anymore.

But you know, Shinko...

When I came here, I was serious.

I wanted to die here in Akitsu.

Living too, I wanted to do it here.

If you go to Tokyo,

we'll never meet again.

It was bad luck meeting me in the first place.

With my laziness.

True!

It would have been better if you died back then.

The time was right.

I was full of enthusiasm.

Youth gone forever.

You would always tell me:

"Life is nothing but a farewell."

"Like a flower in the tempest..."

It was so obvious!

Like a flower in the tempest...

Life is nothing but a farewell.

What rubbish! Let's keep drinking!

- You okay? - Of course.

If I pass out, you'll take care of me.

O-Shin!

Say, where is Mr. Shûsaku?

He left. Didn't you know?

Call a taxi, quick!

Wait!

Tired?

No.

So... what are you thinking about?

Nothing.

That's good.

I'm thinking the same thing.

Since last night, I can't think anymore.

It's no use.

You're thinking about something.

What? About me?

That's okay then.

Think only of me...

People are looking!

It doesn't matter.

It's fine if they're looking...

I didn't want to leave you,

so I ran after you.

Sorry.

What did you say?

Sorry for you.

What for?

I wanted to slip out quietly.

To spare myself from the grief...

Look at me.

Am I crying?

Am I angry?

So...

Am I smiling?

If you don't say, how will I know?

I don't understand.

I don't understand you.

It's fine if you don't.

If I understand, that's enough.

- I'll write you from Tokyo. - Don't bother.

No letters.

They complicate everything.

I feel...

like I've lived my life just to watch you leave.

Over and over again...

That won't happen again.

At this time,

the passengers for Okayama...

may board the platform.

Attention, the last train...

You're terrible.

Now I can't go back.

Are you mad?

I can't be mad at you.

I'm guilty...

Guilty to your wife.

I often think about her.

I'm sorry.

Why did we come here?

Idiot!

I...

can die now.

No matter how far you are,

if I learn that you've died,

I'll be ready.

I would like to see you leave.

Go on, leave.

I was waiting for you yesterday.

I made no promises.

I waited...

Hey, pack of Hi-lite.

Leave, or they'll notice you.

Fine with me.

Not for me.

You take everything so seriously.

You're mistaken.

Next Saturday, okay?

No, I made a promise.

You're not going to Okayama with him?

Mr. Matsumiya should write "My Homeland" for us.

Come on!

You haven't gone back there since you started here.

I don't want to.

Why not?

Too many memories.

Don't be silly, this is an order.

Thank you for the bath.

Miss Shinko, come have a cup of tea.

You know how to make your own decisions.

Selling Akitsu Inn like this.

I had no other choice.

You must be quite lonely.

Come live with us.

Well, I've thought about it.

Great! Have you really?

Just for a while.

During reconstruction.

Certainly, don't be shy.

This is wonderful!

I hate this village.

I can relate.

You like it?

At your age, I hated it.

But I couldn't leave.

I'll leave. When I find a lover.

Naoko!

What?

Don't say dumb things!

Naoko, you're right.

I thought the same thing.

That's right.

The double suicide, is it true?

It's wonderful to be so in love!

That was a long time ago.

I've forgotten everything.

O-Shin!

It's me, Kawamoto.

Can I come in?

Where were you?

At the temple, to take a bath.

A bath?

I've sold the inn and the springs.

That's right.

They told me in Yumoto.

Akitsu has changed, hasn't it?

Only you haven't changed.

How's it going in Tokyo?

It's okay...

Pretty sluggish.

That's about it.

Madame!

The demolition is in two days.

Could you move tomorrow, on Sunday?

If you pack up,

I'll send one of my guys.

Thank you.

No, thank you!

Where will you move?

To the temple annex at first.

Then what will you do?

When the boarding house is finished,

I'll get a job there.

You have any saké?

I want some alcohol.

It's all right here.

Thanks. Come on in.

You have a guest. I'll come back.

Who's she?

The monk's granddaughter.

She lived in Tsuyama, but she got bored.

She's 17.

You and I first met 17 years ago.

It's been 17 years.

Can I sleep here?

I'll stay.

Okay?

Find me a razor.

I'd like to shave.

Wouldn't you like to bathe?

Die... Die with me.

Please, let's die.

Did you hear what I said?

You heard me?

Say something.

When you asked me to die with you,

I couldn't.

It seemed so strange.

I was sorry for you,

but I thought it was strange.

Now I'm prepared.

A quiet heart,

thinking of nothing,

I can die with you.

You're talking crazy.

Why? Why is that?

You're disturbed.

We've lived our lives.

Life or death...

It belongs in the past.

Don't escort me.

You hate it, right?

Go back.

If you escort me, I won't be able to leave.

Let's die! Die with me!

What are you saying?

Let's die!

That makes no sense!

Why won't you die with me?

This is a bad joke.

It's true...

I did ask you to die with me.

But that was only a lie.

It's not so easy to die.

Life might not be happy,

but that's just the way it is for mankind.

I'm here with you now.

Now, stand up.

I know how you feel.

More than you even know.

But this is just a fleeting emotion.

Tomorrow is another day.

You'll forget about everything.

There, stand up.

Let's leave on good terms.

Stay here.

I'll be back, without a doubt.

Why?

Why did you have to die?

THE END