Original subtitles

TOEI

~ ECHIGO TSUTSUISHI OYASHIRAZU ~ (A Story From Echigo )

Produced by Hiroshi OKAWA

Based on the Novel by Tsutomu MINAKAMI Screenplay by Yasutaro YAGI

Cinematography by Shunichiro NAKAO Art Direction by Mikio MORI

Music by Sei IKENO Editing by Yoshiki NAGASAWA

- CAST -

Yoshiko SAKUMA Shoichi OZAWA Rentaro MIKUNI

Shitanie KITABAYA Nijiko KIYOKAWA Haruo TANAKA

Directed by Tadashi IMAI

Fushimi, in Kyoto, is an old saké-brewing center.

Saké is made by...

the head brewing technician and his assistants.

These assistants have always been seasonal workers.

They come from farming villages to earn extra money.

The breweries of Fushimi generally hire men from Tanba and Tajima.

But some of them use men from the far province of Echigo.

The Yamato Brewery hires peasants from Echigo.

This story takes place in 1937.

It was just after the Sino-Japanese War broke out...

Let's take a break. There's no end to this.

Hey kid... you're only an apprentice. Too young to take a break.

Learn how to carry a keg.

Didn't you ever watch the others do it?

Use your hand and shoulder.

What kinda position is that?

Now run.

Get steady and then run.

Be brave and run.

Gonsuke... a telegram for you.

Telegram for me?

What is it, Gonsuke? - My mother's sick.

I've got to go back to Cliff Town.

Oh, sorry to hear it. - Tome, any message for your folks?

I don't think so. Nothing I can think of.

You two both from the Cliff, eh.

Unfortunately.

Hey! Watch it.

Tome, sure you've nothing for Oshin? - Well...

Say Gonsuke... tell his wife he'll be promoted to foreman in January.

She'll be pleased to hear that.

He's going to be a foreman? - Yeah...

He's worked hard for two years, so I spoke to the boss.

You should work hard, too.

Well, so long. - Take care of yourself.

This'll be a lousy trip.

I can't get married till my mom dies.

I want a pretty one like yours.

Tome's bloody damn lucky!

When Sabu Gonsuke left Yamato's with the telegram about his mother's illness...

it was late in the afternoon... December 12, 1937.

He took the train from Kyoto Station... then transferred at Maibara.

He was delayed by the snow and reached Cliff Town the next day.

Bring me some good saké.

Good saké, eh? All we've got here is the local stuff.

No saké from Fushimi? - No, I'm afraid not.

It can't be helped.

Make it hot, will you?

Isn't it cold today?

Are you from Utaai village?

Yes, I'm Isuke's younger brother.

So you're Isuke's brother?

Did you go to work at the brewery?

I'm working for Yamato's in Fushimi. - Fushimi, huh?

You can drink a lot of the nice stuff then.

I'd say... a couple of bottles a night.

Well then... you probably won't think much of our local brew.

Not much compared to our Fushimi stuff.

I had a friend... his name was Sabu Isuke too.

Sabu Isuke is my elder brother. Where did you know him?

We were both in Siberia... served in the Niigata Regiment. We were together a long time.

Is that right?

Your brother was a ladies' man when he was young.

Back in his Siberian days, he had several... Russian sweeties!

I was in that regiment, too...

The Manchurian Incident broke out, so I was there for two years.

I miss China... - That was in 1931, wasn't it?

Yes... When did you go to Siberia?

That was in 1919... during the Russian Revolution.

The White and Red Armies were fighting.

I was a private, so I didn't understand politics...

but the Japanese Army fought against the Reds.

But then... the Reds were very strong with all the Bolsheviks among then.

Our regiment was stuck in that village for a year...

so we got plenty friendly with the girls.

It was okay, see?

In summer, the wide sea-like Siberian plains...

are covered with flowers, like our evening primroses.

We slept with the White Russian girls there. It was fantastic!

Innkeep, another warm bottle.

Have a drink. - Ah, much appreciated.

I still remember it very well...

The Russian girl who fell for Isuke...

came each Sunday with a pail of fresh milk and eggs.

She fed him in the flowers until he couldn't eat any more.

Isuke began to kick up like a young stud-horse!

You may not know...

but their skin was as white and smooth, as soft, fresh rice-cakes.

You know, their hair was like cornsilk.

At first, it seemed strange, but then we began to like it!

Your elder brother liked to keep count of each one he had.

Sabu Isuke was a greater Japanese man...

than the Commander-in-Chief of the Siberian Army!

I really wish I could see him again.

Kazuo, Granny isn't breathing. - How come she isn't breathing?

Not yet? - Where could he have gotten to?

I hope he got the telegram...

Granny stopped breathing. - She stopped breathing?

Granny! Granny!

Gonsuke? Is that you, Gon?

It's Isuke. Can't you see me? Gon'll be here soon.

Don't give up, Granny. He'll be here any moment.

Who is it?

It's you, Oshin. - You surprised me.

Did you come home to see your sick mom?

I got a telegram.

Then she must be very sick.

I didn't realize.

Where have you been?

Lately I've been weaving straw matting for the lime company.

In Cliff Town? - That's right.

Alone? - No. Hanako and Tarosuke's mothers work there too...

only they caught colds and didn't come in today.

How's Fushimi? Is my husband all right?

Yeah, Tomekichi's quite well...

He's getting promoted to foreman in January, too.

My husband's getting promoted? - His pay'll go up too.

You must be really pleased.

My husband is a hard worker.

How long is it since you married Tomekichi?

It's been two years now.

You're getting prettier, you know. - Stop joking around!

You must be worried about your mom. You should hurry on ahead.

Oshin... I envy Tome that he gets to sleep with you... your nice body!

No one's watching!

Damn!

Granny! Granny! - Ma! Ma!

She's dead.

Is she dead? - Is Granny dead?

Granny's dead.

Where's Gon?

Listen... don't tell anyone.

Tome'll never know if you keep it a secret.

Leave me alone!

Why are you so late? Granny just died.

Is she dead? - She wanted to see you!

It was snowing so hard. The train was delayed.

I'm going to get the doctor.

What's the use if she's dead?

We need a death certificate. Without it, we can't bury her.

Hi... just getting home now? It's started snowing again.

Oh... mom died. Would you mind telling everyone?

Oh, she did? - Yes, just now. Don't let me down.

Uncle, look. - Uncle, look!

You good-for-nothing brats!

Get out.

Mom! Mom!

Be quiet!

Granny... I'm home now.

You must be tired.

Granny, Isuke told me his mom died.

She finally died, eh?

He asked me to tell all the villagers about it.

She's dead then...

I'll go and tell them.

Spray saké on her body now.

Don't be so stingy... use it all. - That's enough.

Let us living drink the rest.

Come on. Get the water ready to wash her.

Do I use warm or hot water? - Just mix the water!

But the shroud is folded to the left.

It's reversed when you handle the dead.

Don't make it too hot. She'll cry out!

Not very likely now that she's dead?

Hey little brother... what's the matter with you?

It's your own mother. Hurry up and wash her.

Thank you for coming.

Oshin, do you mind washing a few more radishes?

We don't have enough. - Sure.

Tome found himself a nice girl. - It seems so.

We thought any girl who'd marry him... would be crippled or one-eyed!

But she's a fine girl... good looking... a hard worker too.

Hard work, huh?

Why are you shouting? You surprised me.

December seems a month for dying? - It sure seems so.

What brings you here? - Me?

I came to speak with you girls. - With us?

Yah... about the straw matting.

Luckily, we're all here today. - Look, Oshin...

we're going to rent a barn here for you all to work in...

so you won't have to travel all the way to Cliff Town.

You will? That'll be a big help.

Reminds you of your man in Fushimi... holding one of those, eh?

Why would it? - Don't you get it?

The size... You know...

Listen... don't tell anyone.

Tome'll never know if you keep it a secret.

Did many come to the funeral?

Yes, it was quite crowded.

It'll be my turn next.

Granny... don't say that. You're not old enough yet.

Good evening.

Damn cold out.

Look here, Granny...

I'm going back to Fushimi in the morning.

Got a message for your Tome?

You must be tired... after helping out at the funeral.

I hate the smell of saké!

So your old mother... how old was she this year?

She was 75.

Say Granny... it'll be your turn next, huh?

When can I go to paradise?

When did Tome's father die?

That was ages ago. I've forgotten.

How did he die?

Was he killed in the war, like my old man?

He went to war, but he wasn't killed there.

His horse ran wild on him...

he fell off the cliff and drowned.

Oh, yes... I think I heard about it... when I was little.

It was a snowy night...

His horse was spooked by a truck...

it slipped on the ice.

He went off the cliff with his horse.

No one could survive that...

it must drop at least 300 feet to the sea.

Yes... so they say.

Ma... the fire has died out.

Your charcoal sputters a lot. It burned my foot!

We didn't make much charcoal last year...

so we burn charred firewood here.

It doesn't sputter.

Maybe so... but it still burned my foot.

Yeast-making's tiring, no?

It must be because of your vacation.

Have any fun down there? - Of course he did!

It wasn't without fun...

You must've had fun... the way you're grinning.

What kind of affair gives the greatest thrill?

One with a girl you're in love with.

First "To," second "Hi," third "Sho," fourth "Sai."

A proverb?

Unless you know that, you won't understand.

It's not a proverb at all. I learned it in the army.

First comes "To". - What's that mean? What's "To"?

Idiot! "To" is a Chinese word for "stealing."

Tome. - Huh?

I was making yeast all day, so I didn't get chance to talk to you.

Your Oshin was certainly in high spirits.

Yes? So she was well?

Yah... she came to the funeral...

so I told her what I could about you.

She's been going to the lime company to weave matting.

It's a tough walk in the snow...

so we said she could weave in our barn.

Really? Won't that put your folks out?

By the way...

Isn't Oshin getting prettier lately?

I don't think so...

but she takes good care of my mother, so I'm very pleased with her.

But then...

you must be worried, leaving her alone?

I'm not worried at all.

But... you know what the song says...?

"A wife back home is like the distant woods...

"You never know who may poach the goods."

A wife back home...

is like the distant woods.

You never know...

who may poach the goods.

Listen... don't tell anyone.

Tome'll never know if you keep it a secret.

The Yamato Brewery was originally a brewer of "white" saké.

The third master started making ordinary saké in 1772.

The present brand is called "Shotoku"...

In remembrance of the founder's ingenuity.

They made the Girls Festival its anniversary,

and celebrated it with ceremony.

The hardest work has also passed by this time,

so they usually select the best worker...

and honor him with a letter of commendation and a bonus.

This year, Segami Tomekichi was chosen.

A model worker, eh?

You're not like us.

While we're boozing, you check the saké-cakes.

But I don't drink.

Look here, now listen...

The boys are anxious to celebrate with you at Yoshiwara.

Why don't you throw a party for them?

Who, me?

Who else!

You got promoted to foreman...

and you got a bonus tonight. Why not be generous?

I'm sorry, but I can't afford to spend money left and right.

It wouldn't... be fair to Oshin.

My God... you really are pathetic!

Why am I pathetic?

You really don't know?

About Oshin, I mean. - What about Oshin?

Back home... rumour is lately she's taken a lover.

Oshin's got a lover?

Listen, Tome, I wanted to keep it a secret...

but I changed my mind.

When I went home for Granny's funeral...

I saw a man and a woman beside a lonesome road.

When I saw their faces with my own eyes, I had to believe it...

It was your Oshin and the lime company clerk.

Then, on the night of the funeral...

someone saw this lime company man and your Oshin in our barn.

They were in each other's arms.

I made up my mind never to tell you,

but you seemed so miserable...

so I told you.

No hard feelings?

We're still friends...?

No! No!

Why not? Don't be an idiot! It won't help you holding on to that.

Come, stop worrying. I'll tell her it's your first time.

So don't worry. People don't like cowards.

Now, let's go.

Okay, go home then... Go on...

But leave your money with me. I'll spend it for you.

What do you say, Seikichi?

Leave your money with me... or come with me.

What d'you say? Hurry up, man!

I can't do that.

Then you'll come with me.

You're going to be a real man now.

I tell you what...

give me your money.

I'll make sure you have a good time.

No more. Go away!

You really don't know anything, do you?

Stop it, will you? You're hurting me.

Now... watch me. You'll get the idea.

Excuse me...

Close the door. I'm working here.

You are?

Then I'll give you inspiration.

Get on with it, will you? Seiki-cun?

Are you ready?

The most important ingredients in saké brewing are yeast, rice and boiling water.

The quality of the water is very important.

The breweries of Fushimi have long used water from the Tateishi.

The work of pulling the water-carts is done by...

another group of workers.

But Tomekichi pulls a water-cart...

while the others in his group are resting.

At first, he used to stop at the Inari Shrine to pray each evening.

But then he started to drink.

This change in his daily routine made his fellow workers wonder.

But though he said nothing, Gonsuke knew the reason behind it.

Ladies... weave the rest of this straw by the time I get back.

Boss... for such a good-looking guy... we'd do even more!

You're lucky to get paid... considering you talk so dirty.

Did he ever pay us anything? - Never. - Still, you're very lucky...

I know a young wife whose man is at the front.

There's even one of us weavers who has to live apart from her husband.

Yes, indeed: you mean Oshin.

Well, work hard. So long.

Take care of yourself.

Be careful... those town foxes might seduce you!

Look here, Oshin!

Aren't you in the family way? - It's true. You look like it.

But I'm not.

Why hide it as if it was a secret lover's work?

Tome must've really done his stuff before saying goodbye.

How many months are you, Oshin?

Wasn't it November he left? - That's right.

If it happened in November...

December, January, February, March... five months.

Isn't it small for five months? - Tome's a small man.

The baby'll grow into a hard worker, just like it's father.

Quite right.

If you want a good baby... just ask Tome - 'master seedsower'!

Oshin would never forgive you, though!

We're all fellow weavers... surely she'd share him with us.

Do me a big favor, Oshin...

Won't you lend me your Tomekichi... just one little time?

Are you sure just once would be enough?

Sure. I happen to know a few things too.

After the incident, Sabu Gonsuke told Oshin...

to keep her mouth shut and nobody would know.

That's what he thought, anyway...

But then, Oshin's body...

began to betray what had happened.

Is that you?

Granny... you'll catch a cold, sleeping without a fire.

Has it died out? It's not so cold, now it's spring.

At least use it mornings and evenings.

I'll make a fire for you now.

Daughter... did a letter come from Tome today?

It was around this time he came back last year.

He hasn't written yet...

but I hear they'll be late. Evidently they're brewing extra saké this year.

Didn't Isuke get a letter from Gonsuke though?

Seems like he did.

Why hasn't Tome written to us at all?

He's probably too busy... now he's a foreman.

It's spring...

and someone has to see to the farm. It's about time for potatoes, isn't it?

You're right.

If he doesn't come soon, I'll quit weaving and start farming.

That reminds me... your face looks different lately.

Are you sure you didn't catch a chill weaving?

Me...? I'm feeling fine.

My eyes aren't so good.

This thing in my belly is Gonsuke's doing.

I have to get rid of it...

They say lifting a heavy weight will do the trick...

Die! Let go!

Gonsuke's bastard, let go!

They say getting very cold... brings on an abortion.

Come out! Come out!

Gonsuke's bastard... come out!

Come out! Please!

Oshin had many dreams of her childhood.

Each time she dreamt, she would awake feeling relieved.

That was the only comfort she had.

Oshin could remember nothing about her father...

she could only remember her mother.

The young women of the district used to...

go to warmer places in small groups.

They would cross the snowy mountain range...

when winter froze their own villages.

They would see green fields of wheat dotted with flowers, and hear larks singing...

Madam... want any today?

They're going very cheap.

I'll come by later.

Here, Oshin's memory came to an abrupt end.

The girl sleeping on her mother's back...

found herself carrying another mother's child.

She could have been sold to a circus or a geisha house.

For saying so, Oshin's master scolded her every day.

Of course, she didn't know why this happened at all.

In her memory, she often wished she were sold to a circus...

or a geisha house.

Each time she was scolded... she envied circus acrobats.

She yearned to be a geisha who made her name as a singer.

In those days, the snow here was much heavier.

Many became permanently snowblind.

Those ill-fated women learned ancient songs.

They became wandering minstrels in warmer towns.

Some bands required a leader... a guide, when on the road.

Oshin remembered when...

she had been hired to lead them to strange, far-off towns.

I was sure it would work this time...

The brewery paid off the workers on March 25.

Having diligently completed almost half a year of hard work...

they made their offerings to the Saké Shrine...

in gratitude for the protection received over that time.

Before leaving for home...

they wanted to enjoy spring in Kyoto.

Inspite of the plans of his fellow-workers...

Tomekichi insisted upon leaving for home at once.

Gonsuke was frightened, because he knew what worried Tomekichi.

It was natural, after having lied so foolishly about Oshin's guilt.

So Gonsuke told his co-workers...

he'd travel home together with Tomekichi.

Gonsuke...

It was the truth, eh? - What do you mean?

About Oshin... with the lime company man.

I never tell a lie.

Welcome back.

We were worried when you didn't write a single letter.

Oshin!

Tome, why on earth didn't you write to us?

We thought you were never coming home.

I was busy all the time.

I didn't bring any souvenirs.

That's all right. We don't expect you to.

Ma... they gave me some saké lees at the brewery.

Give it to our neighbors.

It's a waste giving anything to them.

If we give, they'll give something back.

Give it while it's fresh. - Yes, you're right.

How good it smells.

Oshin, here... try some.

Oshin!

Oshin, come here. It's important!

Why don't you come?

Come in.

What is it?

I heard you slept with the lime company man. Is it true?

How dare you!

I was away, working like a dog.

It's not true. - Liar! It's not! It's not!

Who in the world told you such a thing?

Gon... Gonsuke told me so!

Gonsuke did...?

It wasn't true?

Was Gonsuke telling me lies?

He was. Yes, he was!

Really?

It was in 1935 that...

Oshin came to Segami Tomekichi as his bride.

The go-between was Okinaka Senzo.

He was a saké expert and a friend of Tomekichi's brewery boss.

Hearing what kind of a man Tomekichi was...

he recommended his distant cousin Oshin, as the bride.

Congratulations to the blessed pair!

Oshin! Nice weather we're having.

Perfect weather for planting potatoes, eh?

Eh... fine seed potatoes.

Look, Oshin... Can't you lend me a few?

Sis tells me they ate up all our seed stock.

I'll repay you twice over from the new crop.

Gon... Oh... there you are.

How dare you show your face here! - I need some seed spuds.

Get the hell outta here... before I beat you up!

What? Oh, the lime company man, eh? My mistake!

Who's voice is that?

It's just Gonsuke. - What does he want?

He came for seed potatoes. - Seed potatoes?

I just came over... to ask for some seed spuds.

We ate them.

Is that so? I'll try someone else.

He's got a nerve... coming to us for help!

Look...

Don't speak with him from now on.

I certainly won't!

My goodness it's warm today?

Take this.

This is all the eggs we have. - Only this many?

My chickens are running with my neighbor's rooster...

and they don't come home to roost.

They must be laying their eggs down there.

Really? You got some pretty wild hens eh!

I'll buy at two and a half sen each.

Six by two is twelve... Six by five is thirty...

Exactly fifteen sen, right? - Yes... that's right.

In our village, a lot of boys got draft slips. Is your son safe?

The army, you mean.

Certainly. I hear they're sending them straight to the front.

They say he's too small.

That he is. Has he any children? - No, not yet.

You must be impatient for a grandchild. - It's about time for one.

They've been married three years. - No, only two.

Working hard, huh? Planting rice?

We've been so busy... We're already late.

See ya. Take care.

What happened? You feel sick?

Stomach ache, huh?

Did you eat something bad?

Are you pregnant?

That's it!

You're gonna have a baby!

Stupid chickens! What d'you see in that rooster?

Stay away from him, or else...

Ma...

Oshin's going to have a baby! - For sure?

It's true... isn't it?

I'll take her to a midwife, a real good one.

A good midwife, huh?

You'll have to go to town.

Let me rub it. Where's my baby?

Come on, Oshin. Let me feel it.

It's my baby... isn't it? - Don't. You'll wake her.

Don't!

Oshin experienced her first love early.

When she was just 16...

she was hired as a maid by an Echigo granary owner.

Hey...

This is for you.

Young Master...

Young Master...

After that, Oshin began to possess a woman's secret.

The young master was sent off to school in Tokyo. After some time away from home...

he became absorbed in his new life and soon forgot all about Oshin.

We've been to the festival. - We enjoyed it very much.

Well, go to bed then. You can sweep up tomorrow.

Yes. Thank you for your generosity.

Isn't Oshin old enough to be married now?

It's still too early...

A maid should get married at 25 or 26.

Yes? That's the custom, eh?

Besides, Oshin is an orphan...

it'll be expensive to get her married off.

How could you do such a vulgar thing!

Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

From this shore...

you can see Sado Island in the distance.

About the time when Oshin was working in the granary...

a Sado-born geisha recorded a song which became a very popular hit...

"Island-born."

"At 16, love was born. How I long for a night with my beloved."

Oshin loved to sing this song.

Then, one winter, the waves washed away her employer's home.

So she went to work at an iron-sand mine nearby.

It was here that she came into contact with her distant cousin.

How she married Tomekichi we've already explained.

Take care of yourself.

The midwife told Oshin that...

she had become pregnant last December.

It was frighteningly clear...

Tomekichi was still in Fushimi last December.

It was impossible the child in Oshin's belly could be his.

Tomekichi's father fell from this cliff many years ago.

It was here his horse slipped on the ice.

Oshin came here simply because she wanted to die.

But... even if it was Gonsuke's...

Oshin knew that a life was growing inside her...

so she gave up the idea of suicide.

Saké God in heaven...

Midwife on Ome Street...

I pray to you... give us a strong baby.

Give us a boy. A girl will do, too.

A girl like my wife. A good-looking girl...

Damn it!

A couple of days, maybe longer... - Three days, maybe?

That'd suit me better...

But, seeing as you came all the way down here...

I'll mend it in a couple of hours for you.

You're going to have a big, healthy baby.

But not until September, as you know.

It was conceived in mid December.

Mid December? - That's right...

Your wife must have a bad memory...

it was definitely in December.

Are you sure?

Listen. I've delivered almost a thousand babies...

and they all arrived at their expected time.

Then... - Then what?

Thanks for your time.

Oshin!

What's wrong with you? She's up in the field as you know.

The midwife... the midwife told me!

The baby was conceived in December!

Whose baby? Whose is it?

How could you deceive me?

Tell me the truth, Oshin! Confess!

Say something, Oshin!

Damn!

That man's baby, Oshin?

Whose baby, if not his?

You can't deceive me with tears.

Gonsuke's baby? Was it Gonsuke, Oshin?

Gonsuke came back for the funeral in December.

Was that it then?

Oshin, say something!

Where did you sleep with Gonsuke?

Speak!

Where did you do it?

Who is it?

That you, Oshin?

Or Tome?

It's me.

Oh, Tome...

What happened to Oshin?

She got sick, so I took her to the midwife.

You did? I was worried when you didn't come home.

I'm very sorry.

Is her condition bad?

Nothing serious.

She sent me here for a kimono.

Are you going back now? - Yah, I am.

Then, take some eggs with you for Oshin.

I'm in a hurry. I'll get them later.

Take them with you, like a good boy.

All right, then.

Tell Oshin to take a proper rest down there.

Take care...

and don't break the eggs!

Well, I'm leaving now.

Tome! Listen, Tome!

Gonsuke got called up by the army!

He didn't hear me...

What Tomekichi had been afraid of came true...

Oshin's body began to decompose.

Gon! I killed Oshin! - What?

I'll kill you, too!

Are you mad?

Gon! Gonsuke! - Gon!

- THE END -

(Subtitles reworked by salmond) - THE END -