Original subtitles

Anzukko

Anzukko Based on a Novel By Saisei Mur�

Cast

S� Yamamura as Heishiro Hirayama - the father

Ky�ko Kagawa as Kiyoko / Anzukko

Isao Kimura as Ryokichi Urushiyama - the husband

Keiju Kobayashi as Tayama

Shizue Natsukawa as Rieko Hirayama - the mother

Daisuke Kat�... Suga Y� Fujiki... Okada

Y� Fujiki.. Okada Yoshio Tsuchiya... Ishima

Chieko Nakakita... Sumiko Natsuko Kahara... Enko Murai

Nobuo Nakamura

Written and Directed by Mikio Naruse

[Showa 22

You're going back to Tokyo before winter, aren't you?

No, not really. I don't have anyone I want to see there.

It looks to me like you're waiting to see how things develop here.

How about you? Do you want to go back to school?

No, not at all.

A university degree doesn't mean that you can put things together logically.

I'm going to Ryokichi's.

Coffee?

Yes. I ordered some.

Oh, come in.

Hello.

Did you come for some books?

Yes. Today we got almost as far as Chichibu.

At the temple they said: "If you're living on that rice, you'd better pray more than that. "

So did you pray?

Yes. Once for each book you're going to give me.

Hello.

Hi.

I put the coffee and corned beef in here.

How much is it?

I don't know yet. I'll put it on the next bill.

Alright.

What's going on with the store in Yokohama?

I think I'll be able to go back there by the

middle of next month. Cheria is already there.

Are you going to sell imported stuff in Yokohama, too?

Yes, and I thought I might sell used Americans things, too.

What about you? Are you going to Yokohama, too, Ryokichi?

No, I'll be here for a while.

I see.

This place has changed a lot, hasn't it.

Ah, yes, I almost forgot. There's an old collection of the Sensei's novels here.

You mean my father's books?

Yes.

Welcome back.

Hi. Here's the harvest: potatoes and rice.

We also got some coffee and corned beef at Ryokichi's place.

Where's Heinosuke?

He said he was going to help Ryokichi fix radios.

Ryokichi has started a new line of business.

He already runs a lending library. Now he repairs radios, too?

What doesn't he do?

He studied electronics at school, you know.

Oh, yes. I just remembered. We have guests. I asked Satohara-san to come over.

We have guests from Tokyo who want to see you.

Again?

What do you mean 'again'?

It's like I'm on display.

Isn't it a good thing to be popular?

You certainly are refined, Mrs. Hirayama.

I owe it all to you.

The train must have been crowded.

Yes, it was a little.

This is my daughter Kiyoko.

Hello. Welcome.

My name is Okada.

He was one of my students at the university. He's a specialist in aquaculture.

I hung around with Professor Satohara when I was looking for a job.

Can you ride a bicycle?

Yes, and I can drive a car, too.

Kiyoko, why don't you show him some of the sights around here?

But we have only one bicycle.

I can give you a ride on mine.

Just take one from our place.

What character do use to write the 'ky?' in your name?

Anzu

What? Oh. I see. That would make you Anzukko then.

Do they call you Apricot?

They did when I was a small.

Can you tell anything about a person from the first meeting.

She'll find something to base her judgment on.

Up to now, she's always found a reason to object to the guy right away.

I'm back.

Ryokichi says he can fix it.

He's pretty good, isn't he?

'm going to earn some pocket money there, too.

Doing what?

Repairing radios.

Can you really fix them?

He's being generous with me.

There's not much to see past here.

That's fine. I didn't come all the way here to look at scenery.

Well, shall we go back then?

'm glad to have met you.

My mother's not well and she's always telling

me that I have to find a woman who's healthy.

And then he asked "Excuse me, but how much do you weigh? "

and "What's your height? "

What's wrong with that?

But it looks like the most important thing to him is that

his wife be strong so she can look after his sick mother.

It's as if he came looking for walking, talking medical equipment.

"Walking, talking medical equipment"! I like that.

This is the fourth one you've turned down, Kiyoko.

Well, people do have their likes and dislikes, you know.

It's a crapshoot - like whether someone who is bad for your daughter falls in love with her.

And whether or not a man and a woman are in love,

there is always some problem wriggling to get out. That's true of men at least.

Are you going to turn him down?

Yes.

Excuse me, I'm Mrs. Hatoi from down the road.

I have something I'd like to talk to you about.

Hatoi-san?

Your daughter plays tennis with my son.

I see. That's kind of your son to be her partner.

My wife is at the beautician's at the moment.

Please don't call your daughter.

I see. Well, come in.

This is rather selfish of me to ask this of you,

but I'd like you to tell your daughter to stop seeing my eldest son.

It's quite complicated, but...

Is that right? I see. Well, let's do it right away.

She's still a child, after all.

Thank you. It's quite a relief to have your understanding.

I wasn't sure how to ask you. I was standing in front of your gate thinking of what to say to you.

It was a while before I could get myself to come through the gate.

My, this is quite a garden, isn't it?

We've finished our business. Please leave.

Excuse me?

Please leave.

What's between you and the Hatoi boy?

I play tennis with him.

Is that all?

Yes. We're doubles partners.

Is that really all there is?

Yes. Why?

Take me to the Hatoi place.

What's going on? Why are we going there?

When a person gets angry, they have to look the part.

I don't like that look on your face. It's scary.

Wait here.

My parents are both out.

You're alone here?

Yes.

I'm Kiyoko's father. Did you know that your mother

came to visit me to this morning to talk about you?

No, I didn't know about that.

When she gets back, you can tell your mother that my daughter is

just as important to me as you are to her.

I came to tell you that I'd like you to stop seeing my daughter.

Oh.

You can also tell her that I'll be back here tomorrow.

Please excuse me.

If you're going to love, love so it hurts.

I told you it wasn't love.

I think they have some marriage talks going and they're worried about them.

It's ridiculous for parents to have to be involved

in their children's love lives in this day and age.

Father, shall I make you some tea?

Yes, please.

You couldn't find yourself a good man because of the war.

The more I think about it, the more I think you really lost out.

Love is like a virus. When you fall in love for real,

you just notice it one day and you can't say when you caught it.

You say some wise things. You've grown up.

Well, stay away from the rich ones and the overly sensitive ones.

Someone simple, someone earnest and serious,

someone who can earn enough to put food on the table.

But if you don't become a big shot, you can't make money can you?

Well, that's the truth. That's the problem right there.

The problem is getting enough to eat and then making the most of the rest of what you have.

...Get yourself five eggs, a chrysanthemum, seven tangerines, and an old paperback from the used bookstore...

There you go again with your way of making a hundred yen into a thousand.

That's right. Us poor folks can take that hundred yen and with

just a little bit of it can live like kings. Take one of those tangerines

and put it on your table. Nothing can beat a small and honest little tangerine.

But if you just sit there admiring that tangerine too much you won't be able to eat it.

But that's where the fun in life is.

Stay away from the big shots; go out and get yourself a guy who will keep you fresh.

You're talking about them as if they're fish.

But that's where it begins with men and women. First you have to catch one.

Why don't you go out and get yourself a man? Don't worry about mistakes;

life is full of them. There's no reason for men and women to shelter themselves from life.

Everyone wants to read books these days. You'd be a big hit.

Paper is where you make money now.

It doesn't matter what my specialty is. I have to eat.

Heinosuke went with Ryokichi to a little village nearby.

He means to help, but I think he probably gets in the way.

No, not all. In fact my brother says that he's a big help.

Is it a guest from Tokyo?

Yes. See you later

Thanks.

My mother sends her regards. This is a little something for you.

I wonder what it is. Thank you. Look, dear.

Thank you.

Make yourself at home.

lijima-san, what did you do in the war?

I was in central China. I was an orderly.

This is Kiyoko. This is Ijima. He works at the Finance Ministry.

Welcome.

It seems my and your mother went to the same school.

We were very close.

Kiyoko, why don't you show him the sights.

Yes.

But it's no laughing matter for your sister.

That's true, but every time someone comes she has

to take them on the same tour.

Are your mother and father particular about the men?

No, they say that anyone is fine with them as long as Kiyoko likes him.

Really?

It sure is nice here.

Yes, it is.

I have an awkward question to ask you.

Do you know why I came today?

What could it be?

I came to talk about marriage. To be honest, I'm very glad I came.

You're not going back to Tokyo yet, are you?

No. Our house wasn't burned down, so we could go back anytime.

Still, I don't think my father is ready to go back yet.

I see.

Shall we go a little further?

Yes, shall we?

Are you OK?

Yes, I'm fine.

Oh hello.

Isn't that dangerous? Have you been drinking?

Yes, Ryokichi had some so I had to keep him company.

Thank you.

Father, there's something I want to ask you.

Not today.

Ryokichi wants you to look at his manuscript.

Is it a novel?

You couldn't really call it that. Well, see you later.

Oh, do you still have cigarettes, Sensei?

I suppose I might need some more.

Alright.

Has Ryokichi written a story?

Yes. It seems he sent one off to a magazine.

Oh.

Hello.

Hello.

Ijima seems to have been the best so far, don't you think?

He doesn't seem to have anything up his sleeve or to be putting on airs.

What does it mean to like someone?

That would mean that he feels right as a human being.

What did you think?

Yes, 'feels good' seems to be about the right way to put it.

What should I say? He doesn't have any rough edges.

I think he passes mark.

It's strange feeling, though. I've raised you all these long years an

then suddenly here I am, sending you off to someone just like that.

It's bad to have girls, isn't it? They get sent off somewhere, like lepers.

To Siberia?

I might be going to Siberia.

It looks like I'm on a train that's headed in that direction anyway.

You can at least look forward to your trip to Siberia, but I've already

arrived in the penal colony. There's nothing more to look forward to.

Stop it with that talk!

It looks like it's going to rain. I'll go by myself.

You're right. We need eggs.

Yes. See you later.

Excuse me.

Oh Miss, you're really wet.

I'm sorry. Will you let me stay for a while my clothes dry off?

Please do. Come in.

I wonder what happened to them?

Don't worry. Heinosuke is with her.

I'll be packing up and leaving tomorrow.

It'll be a little lonelier here I guess.

You folks are going to be here for a while yet are you?

Yes.

Would you like another glass of wine?

I'm fine. I think I'm warmed up enough on the inside now.

I see.

A cricket? At this time of year?

It's his pet.

I guess it likes to hear people's voices. I'd like to get my cricket through

the winter one way or another. I used to keep one at the front, too.

What do you feed it?

Apple peels, cabbage, carrots...

He also gives it cookies and dried fish.

Oh my!

The rain stopped.

Then I'll go get her. I'm sure she's at Ryokichi's place.

This is far enough.

There's something I want to ask you.

What is it?

I saw you riding a bicycle with someone the other day.

Was he a relative of yours?

No, why?

I met him during the war. Ijima Jir?. That's his name, right?

Yes.

I saw him do something dirty.

Dirty? What do you mean?

I can't tell you out loud.

I'd like to talk to meet with your father.

What do you want to talk to him about?

I'll tell him when I see him.

It is all luck.

Kiyoko!

Kiyoko, Ryokichi is here.

Why is he here?

He must have come to show Father his story.

I know this is rather sudden, but I would like to marry Kiyoko.

Kiyoko?

Yes.

Let's go for a walk and talk this over.

Yes.

From what you're saying it seems to me that lijima came,

you saw him, and then you suddenly decided that you wanted to marry Kiyoko.

That says to me that if he hadn't come, you wouldn't have asked to marry her.

That's not it. I had always thought that I'd like to marry Kiyoko,

but I was intimidated by you.

So then you saw lijima here, and you thought you

couldn't bear the thought of him marrying Kiyoko? Is that it?

You felt a kind of pressing urgency, and you were afraid of

losing Kiyoko to that dirty lijima you saw in the war? Is that it?

That's right. I thought that if lijima could marry her, I could at least ask.

So in other words, you thought that you'd take a chance

and ask and see what you came up with?

You can look at it that way if you want,

but I always meant to ask at some point.

Have you talked to Kiyoko about marriage?

No, but I've always wanted to be something more than a friend to her.

Are you thinking of making a living as a writer?

No, I'm not going to try to do that.

You're confident that you can make a living with electronics?

Yes.

You should know that I don't have any property.

I don't think that has anything to do with you, but I'd like to say it anyway.

I understand that things are difficult for young people today,

but all the same, I can't do anything for you.

Also, I don't have any power to push you ahead in literary circles.

I'd like us to keep those parts of our lives separate.

I don't intend to trouble you with that. Not in the least.

Welcome home. It's cold isn't it.

Yes.

I'll get you some tea.

No, sit down.

Ryokichi says that he wants to marry you.

I thought it was strange.

What do you mean 'strange'?

He said that Ijima-san had done something dirty.

He mentioned that to me, too.

He said that he saw something in the war, but I don't think you can

make up your mind about someone based on that kind of observation.

War makes people into animals.

But what are you going to do?

Ryokichi says he's wanted to marry you for quite a while.

What do you think about him?

Well, I can at least say that I've never disliked him.

I've always thought that the relationship between you and Ryokichi

would turn into love or marriage at some point.

I think he might be better than someone you don't know at all.

Because I know him?

Because it would be easy to get to know him as a man.

But of course you re the one who has to make the decision.

Men are interesting at any rate. They re rotten things that no wild animal would touch.

Even so, women think they need one at all costs.

So you re going to try one of the stinking rotten ones?

"You got yourself a man pretty quickly. It was over in an instant. "

"It's as if I were going somewhere to work as a servant. I'll be back soon. "

"I don't want to see you back here. You'll be alone with Ryokichi. "

"That's true. It makes me wonder. "

"About what?"

"About whether everyone thinks this kind of thing is normal. "

What are you thinking about?

Nothing.

Do you like children, Dear?

Yes.

Excuse me.

Yes.

I've come to put out the bedding.

Go right ahead.

Well, I'll go back in the bath.

Here you are, Mrs.

Thanks.

There you go. It should be good and mixed up now.

Shall I pay you the usual amount.

Yes, the official price. I'm not skimming, you know.

I didn't mean to suggest that-

If you like, I have some fish, too.

I don't think we need any.

Hello.

Someone's here.

Here you go.

Ah, thank you. See you next time. Oh no! Hey you!

Are Mother and Father well?

I went to see them. They were in a tither about getting their shots.

And?

Things were calmer this morning.

I guess I'll have to go see them. I haven't seen them in a while.

Heinosuke How's Ryokichi's new job?

I hope he settles into this one. This is the third one in two years.

How is his Sister's shop doing in Yokohama?

She said her broker swindled her and she ended up losing the store.

Hmm. Well, at least Ryokichi has some skills.

It's a rough world out there. Things don't go like you think they will.

You've got it made, though. You have a good job. Now all you have to do is get married.

You probably have someone lined up already, don t you?

What do you think of marriage, Kiyoko?

It's worth trying once at any rate.

You've changed.

How do you mean?

hey say that realising all your dreams can be a let down.

But we're better off than a lot of folks.

There are people who can't even pay for their rations.

You have to be sure he doesn't overdo the liquor, though.

You must be talking about yourself.

Hey, Tayama, let's go home.

Let's stay a little longer.

But

Your wife is the daughter of a famous writer. You're such a fool!

More!

Take it easy. She's a pretty one, though.

You could use her father to get your foot in the door.

Don't be stupid. I didn't marry her father.

"Oh, that face, that voice... "

Kiyoko, we have a guest. It's Tayama.

Hello.

Come in.

Water!

Excuse me, Mrs., but I'd like some water, too.

Alright.

Here you are.

Thank you.

Tayama says he's going to use his severance pay to start his own business.

He was asking me if I wanted to come in with him.

Excuse me for bringing this up, but I was shocked when he told me

how much he made at Taimei Industries.

I couldn't believe they'd pay a guy with abilities that little.

Why are you so concerned about that?

But Mrs., say you give me 3,000 yen.

Let me put your money to work for you. We'd put it into construction,

and let's see, one's month profit would be, umm, 450 yen.

Is there any sake in the house?

Yes.

And Mrs., for example, if you put in some of the money you earn

working at home, then... umm... let's see...

Do we have anything to eat?

We have the ration fish.

Is it that pickled stuff?

Did you get your pay?

They couldn't make payroll again. I'll sell some more of my books.

Do you owe a lot of money?

Tayama says that if I put some money...

Forget about that.

Mrs., take a look at this.

Sorry, I have to go out and do some shopping.

Are you still up? Do it tomorrow.

Tayama is really worried. He's got three kids and he got fired.

It sounds so cheerful when the kids next door laugh.

Yeah.

Don't you want any?

No, not for a while anyway.

Well, I do.

Here we go again.

Oh! I've never seen that outfit before.

I'll give you a call before the deadline.

I'll get it written.

Thank you.

Nice to see you after all this time.

Hello.

This is my son in law Urushiyama. This is Yagihara from Sakuhinsha.

I'm always getting in Mr. Hirayama's way.

Pleased to meet you.

I'll be going now.

Well, come in.

How's mother?

She's much better. We have a guest we haven't seen in a while.

Hello!

Risako!

You're going to be very pretty.

I'm embarrassed. This is such a ragged dress.

Hello Risako. It's been such a long time since I've seen you.

Yes, it has.

She's staying with her aunt in Setagaya.

Oh, I see.

I was in the neighbourhood so I dropped in.

I don't know where to begin.

I don't think I would have recognized you on the street.

Welcome.

Hello.

Stand up for a moment. You used to come up to here on me.

Is that right? I don't know much about economics,

but when I see in the paper that people were getting laid off, I was worried.

Our company is different than Heinosuke's. It's smaller,

so even if the economic climate isn't right we can still get through. without taking too much damage.

Well, whatever the work, the thing you have to do is take it one step at a time.

Sorry to worry you.

Uncle!

Come in, Risako.

I wanted to see Kiyoko's husband.

This was the girl who was always sitting at Kiyoko's side

when she played the piano.

Hello.

Hi.

Don't you think she'll make a good bride?

I'm not going to get married.

Oh? Why not?

Because I don't know if it will make me happy.

Heinosuke asked me to look into a girl that he met on the bus.

He says the last time he was at your place you told him to look for someone.

What about Risako?

Risako?

Risako says she's going home.

Take care of yourself, Auntie.

Thanks. Come again.

Say hello to Heinosuke.

Come visit us in Hong? sometime.

I will. Please excuse me.

Here it is.

Oh, do you have guests?

My brother is here.

Well then, I'll just leave the machine. I can explain it to you later.

They say you can make 150 yen a day with this! See you later.

Heinosuke And Risako stood me up.

I guess she's what you'd call a cold beauty.

Stood up? Why did she do that?

I didn't have enough money for her.

Well, she works, right?

That's right. But it's with her parents, so it's at home.

You can find more money any time.

Well, she said that she'd think it over, but I think

she still doesn't like the fact that I don't make much money.

Well, finances are important to a family, but...

It's no fun living hand to mouth your whole life.

You sell one book and you can make a whole lot of money.

That's right. Why don't you write something?

Yes, and then I'll sell it. "Recommended by Hirayama Heishire"-

It's not that easy, you know.

But, Ryokichi can-

Don't encourage him.

What's that?

I'm going to start working at home.

You are?

Most of the women around here do.

When father couldn't sell his writing,

mother used to go and sell our things at the pawnshop.

That's right. We're used to being poor, but Risako is used to living the high life.

Is that sarcasm?

I've always wanted to ask you why you married me.

Why? It was chance.

Chance?

Yes. People always let themselves be swept away by good fortune.

Is that all the thought you gave it?

But thanks to having married you, I've learned a little about men.

And now that you've learned, do you want to see some better specimens?

In any case, I'm going to try to get closer to Risako step by step.

Must you do that when Heinosuke is visiting?

I think it's great that she's working.

That's a lie.

Think of me, would you?

Excuse me. My husband says that-

No, no, we haven't even paid the last bill.

Don't think of it, Mrs. You can pay any time it's convenient for you.

Well, thank you.

I'm back. Oh.

Heinosuke left.

What are you doing?

This is pretty difficult.

I didn't mean to make you do that.

There are men who are good at this.

Oh. You put out the bedding?

They didn't have any sake.

Heinosuke didn't really want to drink.

I think he didn't want you to drink.

Why don't you go to bed?

I'll just do a little more. I want to take what little

money we have and turn it into some really big money.

If I could come up with an electronic device ... It's an age of electronics, after all.

I don't need to be rich. I just want to be able to eat

and drink from day to day without borrowing money.

It's hard when you owe money and have to make excuses.

It sure would be nice to have some money.

My father used to say that writing novels-

Be quiet!

What are you going to do if you can't sell it

after you've taken the trouble to write it?

Do you want to turn me into someone who just clocks his time and picks up his pay?

But you told my father before you married me that

you weren't going to write novels.

No matter how big a name Hirayama Heishire might be,

he has no right to stop me from publishing my stories.

But back then you said that-

That was then. The company's going to go under.

It doesn't look like we'll get any severance pay, either.

You should expect some rough sailing for a while yet.

My father says that writing is pretty difficult.

I'm not asking for anyone's help.

Give me some water!

Matches!

I'm going to sell the piano.

If I sell the piano, we'll be able to live for a while.

Kids, go play over there.

"Everyone, for summer gifts, nothing is more useful,

nothing makes the recipient happier than Maruniya's canned happiness.

It's deliciousness in a can. Gifts you can send to anyone.

Gifts anyone will find useful. Seasonings... "

Hello

I got hungry so I decided to fix something to eat.

Sorry I'm late. I got some paper for you.

Oh. This is nice paper.

Why don't you have my father look at your writing?

Forget it.

The Bungei Kiron sent your manuscript back.

When you see that one of my manuscripts has come back, do you think less of me?

I don't know enough about writing to say anything about it.

That can't be true. You're Hirayama Heishire's daughter. You must know something.

I've never even read any of my father's books.

Did he tell you not to?

He just said that it would be better not to.

Do you think there's something missing from my stories?

You could look at what I've written once in a while and tell me what you think.

My father once said that novels are like pretty girls.

There are pretty girls who are just perfect. They even speak and walk beautifully.

But when they get to the editors, they get cut to pieces.

So that would make my stories ugly girls.

Is that why no one wants to get near them?

I don't know about that. It's just what people who write say.

The good ones are good from the beginning. You can tell in the first ten pages.

Sorry. You asked me to comment. I've just given you my frank opinion, that's all.

We haven't seen much of you these days.

No, you haven't.

Are things going well?

Yes, we get by one way or another.

You should wear nicer shoes. Your shoes are very-

I'll get some better ones sometime.

Has Ryokichi found any leads on a new job yet?

He's looking for a new one.

Do you have any money?

Yes, just barely.

The tea's ready.

Yes?

You look tired.

Do you think?

Do you have some good news for us?

No, I decided not to have children for a while.

Oh? Why's that? Aren't you two getting along?

There's nothing especially wrong.

Is that right? Hey, Risako is going to visit.

Oh, Risako.

Well, come in.

Heinosuke will be happy about this.

That's good.

Everyone likes Risako.

Sorry to have been so selfish.

If you do decide to go ahead with it,

talk to Kiyoko and have her come up with some money for you.

Is that alright with you Kiyoko?

Yes.

I waste a lot of money on clothes.

Is that so? Kiyoko, you listen up now.

Yes, Father.

Go on.

My shoes were really beat up.

Hear that Kiyoko? Shoes, too.

And then - how should I put it?

Don't be afraid to say it.

Mrs., I asked about a job for your husband.

Thank you very much.

It's just a little place in a residential neighbourhood,

but he's a university graduate so his pay would be better.

Thank you very much. I'm much obliged.

What is he writing? He's always sitting at his desk.

You can come over any time to talk about the job.

Thank you very much.

Welcome back.

Were you drinking again?

I'm hungry.

Can't you write without drinking?

Would you look at this for me?

I wrote five pages today!

Just eat your dinner.

I got some money, too. I sold my watch.

Your watch?

Don't worry, I can get another one.

The neighbour woman said that you could get a job

at the place where her husband works.

I sent a piece in to Ronbunsha. A friend of mine is an editor there.

I have a feeling that something will work out this time.

What's the problem? You don't want to work for a small company?

No, I don't. If I can write something good I can go anywhere.

I took one of your manuscripts to my father today.

What?! He's my greatest enemy! So what did he say? Did he read it?

He said that he'd ask someone to look at it. He didn't say anything.

I don't want you to ask people to do me favours like that.

I just wanted to help you.

Your father has never recognized my talent,

that my writing can stand on its own.

So what did he do with my manuscript?

I asked him to have Sakuhinsha's editor look at this.

Yagihara's looking at it?

I'm sorry, but we can't accept writing of this level at our magazine.

What's wrong with it? Please be frank.

The material isn't particularly fresh and

it's treated in a loose and offhand manner.

Why don't you have Hirayama-sensei look at it?

He'll probably tell you the same thing.

But my father is not a critic.

He doesn't understand other people's writing.

I don't think that's true. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment.

Sorry to have bothered you.

Please show us a good story.

The quality of the writing is the only thing that matters to us.

He was pretty severe.

He was in a bad mood.

He hates me.

That's because you're not really a novelist.

I want you to find a regular job.

I need a drink.

After we get the bus tickets.

You have the money, don't you?

I thought you did.

What? I thought you had the bus money.

What are we going to do?

Well, I guess we're going to walk.

This happened because you waste money.

That's right. All I do is a waste.

Eating is a waste. Living is a waste, right?

Hey, why are you walking so fast?

I heard from Yagihara. It seems he's been writing all the time.

That's all he does these days.

Does he try to sell his stuff?

No one wants it.

He doesn't burn them?

He doesn't even open them.

Scary isn't it?

It sure is.

But it would be a shame for such determination to go to waste.

Father, couldn't you introduce him to some magazine?

Is that what he wants you to do?

No, he says that really doesn't want you to help him.

But it's difficult for me to watch him struggle like that.

Writing is a really difficult job. As a writer, you're absolutely alone.

Do you have some opinion on what he does?

Do you think that he has some promise?

Do you think he might become a novelist someday?

No, not at all, but I don't have any choice

but to sit there and watch him struggle through.

And you have to scramble to find some money.

Have you ever been to a pawnshop?

I go to pawnshops all the time.

At night? Or at day?

In the day. It doesn't bother me anymore.

Is that right? Well, most everyone has had the

experience of being as poor as you are now. Do you fight?

Sometimes.

I can't help him with his writing, but I can go shopping with you..

For what?

Sweets, fruit, dried goods, cream, lipstick...

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Here.

Shop Thank you for your business.

When you fight, you should go shopping for cheap sweets.

Buy and buy until the bitterness goes away.

You'll ruin your teeth that way.

You're young. Your teeth will be fine even with a few sweets.

As long as we're here, let's get some canned stuff.

Father, this is more than enough.

Come on, just let me buy it for you.

This should be enough for a month.

Come over sometime and we'll go shoplifting again.

'Shoplifting'? Don't say that!

And tell Ryokichi not to drink too much.

Yes.

I'm home.

This was heavy! Look at this, Dear.

Look at how much I got. This will last us for a while.

I wish you'd stop doing that. It's disgusting.

You're like a beggar.

My father bought it for us.

If that's OK with you, well fine, but I don't want any of it.

What's wrong with you?

Oh, so there's something wrong me and not with your father?

I don't want any favours from Hirayama Heishire You're embarrassing me.

I asked him about your writing today.

You fool! I'm up to my nose in your stupidity!

What were you thinking?

Can someone who writes such insipid books help me?

Did that come back from Ronbunsha?

Whenever manuscripts come back, you give me dirty looks.

I do not.

You hate me from morning to night.

You know that's not true.

And you shouldn't blame me for feelings you can't control.

Well, then put those accusing eyes away somewhere.

Where exactly can I put my eyes?

Where I can't see them!

I'll look for a place to keep them.

We have some dried mackerel, too. Let's cook some up.

You really want me to eat something

that guy has given you, don't you?

"That guy"?

I have had it up to here with him!

Why don't you give it another kick?

You have something against me just because

I'm the daughter of Hirayama Heishire.

You can think want of me what you want,

but I won't put up with you insulting my father.

Are you going to run home to your father, then?

No. What do you think? I'll stay here and watch you.

Why don't you go over to my father's place and give him a kick yourself?

That's what I want to tell you. I'll show him with my books.

Shall I tell you what you really want to hear?

What's that?

I'll leave when you get something published.

Don't make fun of me!

Just publish one of your stories if that's

what you mean by getting back at my father.

Don't insult me.

You have a call from the young Mrs.

It's been so difficult. I thought I'd feel better if I saw you.

You can't be intimidated by that kind of thing.

There'd be no end to it.

I don't know what a woman should do in this kind of situation.

Are you going to try drinking?

Maybe I should.

I irritate him. He wants to write novels,

and he takes his frustration out on me because I told him not to write.

That might be it.

In other words, he's thinking "that jerk. "

My theory is that it's obvious when people have capability to do something.

You look and all of a sudden they've reached

the highest place that they can reach.

Should I just keep quiet then?

I don't think marriage is a place for people to rest and relax.

I think it's a place to observe your partner's true nature over the years.

So then sometime people have to marry more than once?

Yes. Sometimes.

That's depressing.

It is.

Maybe I should stay at a hotel tonight.

That wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

You could take a long bath and sleep as much as you want.

Dear.

Let him sleep.

Where does your money come from?

From what little I make working from home and

from borrowing from here and there, and from selling off our things.

What do you think of coming to live with us?

I could at least feed you.

But...

I don't see any other way.

While he's at my place, he can look for a good job.

If you can't feed yourself, you can't do anything.

Come. Don't be shy about it.

It's where you were born.

Oh Mr. Liquor store man!

Yes?

Would you bring us a bottle of shochu?

shochu?

If you want to write books,

I suppose it's alright to be here with your wife's family,

but if you want to make money, you have to come with me.

I need to find a job. You don't make any money.

But here you're just living off your wife's family.

I'm just renting a room from him.

I see. Well...

Are you going home?

Ah, Mrs., our company is expanding rapidly.

Could you give one of these to your father?

Some other time.

How about it? Is he in?

Yes, he is.

Oh, well, some other time.

Come and have some tea. Everyone's here.

I just want to see your face.

You've seen it plenty already.

After three weeks right?

Have you found an apartment?

We found a place that might be good. We're looking at it today.

Hi there. How is it living out there?

Sorry to have troubled you.

About a job, they want an electrician at my company.

You can come in with me whenever you'd like to talk about it.

Do you think it would be better if I took a job?

That's up to you.

Well, why don't you take me today?

Yes, you could come in today.

But I thought we were going to go shopping today.

We don't have to do that today.

Kiyoko can take you shopping.

OK.

Kiyoko, get yourself a skirt or something while you're there.

Kiyoko, will you look at my suit?

Sure.

Do you want some?

I'm home. I'm beat.

I didn't have a chance to look at anything for myself.

Sorry I can't buy my wife a skirt.

That's not what I meant.

You know, I think we'd be better off in Hongo.

My father just wanted to give you a chance to write with less pressure.

No, that's not it at all.

He just wants to burden me and send me off to work somewhere.

The boss at that place I went to today. What a jerk!

Did you turn it down?

I'm in no position to turn anything down.

Not many people can do exactly what they want, you know.

Your father told you to say that - so that I'd quit writing!

Don't be so loud. They'll hear you.

Is this what you call a home?

I'm doing all I can.

If you don't help me out, I won't be able to do it.

What kind of home do you want?

I don't like the face you have on now.

Oh really?

You look too much like that distinguished father of yours.

I don't like you.

There it is! You finally deigned to say it.

It's disgusting of you to wait for me to say it.

Hey, you know your face really wrinkles up when you get angry.

Dear, I know I'm interrupting you, but...

I know.

I'm sorry, but could I stay with you tonight?

So you've split up? Isn't it kind of soon for that?

Make up before dinner.

You don't have to eat together.

It's been even worse since we came here.

It seems like the thing he doesn't like about me is that I'm your daughter.

Ha ha.

Don't laugh; it's not funny.

And then? Did you tell him you wanted to split up?

If I were to tell him that, it would be all over between us.

He shouldn't drink so much.

He can drink if he wants to. I'm not going to tell you what to do

If a couple is going to break up,

it'll happen no matter what their parents say.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

I brought you something to eat. There's some sake, too.

Was it fun? You must have really ripped into me with your folks.

That's right, we did.

You chanced on something really unlucky with me, didn't you?

You had something good going with the other guys.

I'm with the man I found, so just keep your mouth shut.

Am I good enough for you?

Is it that much fun being mean to me?

Cut that out. Stop it!

Marriage is a battle. They should fight it out as long as they need to.

But Dear-

What ever else a husband does, he has to support his wife.

It's ridiculous of him to be writing those bad novels.

Why don't you tell him that?

It's not something anyone understands by being told.

We do have to think about Heinosuke's marriage.

We have to take that into consideration.

You never get a break when you're married.

No, I guess you don't.

Do you think your sister is happy?

She doesn't mind being poor.

But I do.

Would you like something to drink?

No, thank you.

How is the new job?

I'm trying to get my foot in the door.

Are you finding time to write?

I'd like you to have a look at my writing some time.

I do have to respect your perseverance.

I'm a very slow writer.

People like that become good writers; good writers are all slow.

But you write fast, don't you? You come up with a book just like that.

Yes, but I only write about things when I know I can write them quickly.

I can't write if it's going to take me a long time.

Do you think I have talent? Please be frank.

Dear, would you talk about that later?

It sounds like they're going at it again.

It'll be pretty uncomfortable if things keep going like this.

It was my idea, but...

Your father's stories are like people running all over the place in their muddy boots.

When you get to the end, they're finally on the road to literature.

Why don't you tell him that when you leave?

And when I do, will you apologise to me?

And will you apologise to me if you can't write anything?

Sure.

You're always saying the same thing. It's always my father.

Never me. Do you think you're going to write a good book

if you don't understand the woman you live with?

That's just what Heishire's daughter would say.

You can't answer, can you?

Going for a walk?

No, I'm going for a drink. Are you going for a walk?

No, I think I'll stay here.

Oh hello.

Hello.

It's been quite a while.

Come in!

We were in the neighbourhood.

I haven't seen you since we graduated from school.

Ah, it's nice to see you.

At any rate, just give him an answer.

If things keep going like this, I won't be able to write myself.

At any rate, he's writing. He's sitting there at his desk.

If you think about that, there must be thousands

of people in Tokyo writing away at this very moment.

Is he working?

He goes in sometimes. Sometimes he doesn't.

Your daughter must be putting up with a lot.

To be honest, I've never read anything that he's written.

What did you think of it?

This isn't very nice to say,

but I just didn't have the courage to get all the way through.

I get the feeling that this glass in this door here

is like an eye that's watching me all the time.

Today was a good day.

Mariko found me a good architect, and I found out that you were living close by.

re you going to put up your house soon?

My husband is busy with it now.

You'll build a house sometime, too, won't you Kyoko?

It'll be a while before we do anything like that.

Where does your husband work?

Wasn't it electronics or something?

Yes.

Kan-san!

It's been such a long time!

Is your father in?

Yes.

Ask him if there's a place for me to sleep tonight.

Kan-san is here.

I don't have any place to stay tonight.

Do you want anything? I have some old school friends visiting me,

and I'll have to attend to them for a while.

Who's that?

He's a friend of my father's. He writes poetry.

He looks arrogant.

He just looks that way. He's actually a very good person.

He's known me since I was small.

Well, come and say hello later.

I write poetry but I feel silly just sitting at my desk writing poems.

It doesn't matter whether you write at your desk

or walking around the city. It's still writing.

What magazines are you writing for?

Who do you write for?

Me? I still haven't written anything decent.

Did Heishire go to bed?

Hey, you just called him "Heishire", didn't you?

I did.

So? He's not my teacher, why should I call him 'Sensei'?

That's not what I mean. You're eating his food.

I'm calling attention to your lack of respect.

You're eating his food, too.

I am indeed. That's why I'm more respectful.

You're just a kid. Watch what you say.

Who's the kid?

Kan-san!

Well, from my perspective, you're still just a kid.

I see you carting your manuscripts and books around. You think you're a man?

You're holed up here in your wife's family's place.

Out in the real world, that won't cut it.

We're going to have to beat it out of you.

They asked me to come and live here.

I'm sorry but you should go out and sweep the garden for him.

Who are you saying should go out in the garden?

You're the one who should go out there and sweep!

I'll sweep anytime. Gladly.

Just watch me.

Kan-san!

Get him a broom.

Don't be so rude!

Who's being rude?

People who want to sweep should be able to sweep.

Kan-san is our guest.

How can you tell a guest to go out and sweep the garden?

How can you be so arrogant?

The only person in a position to say things like that is Father.

Father again.

Kan-san, stop.

No, I'm sweeping.

Please stop.

What's with this rock!

You're late.

What's with this garden?

Stop! Stop!

Just go to bed.

It's already midnight.

I'm going to stay out here.

Mother and Father are sleeping. You're going to wake them. Be quiet!

A rock is a treasure? Ha ha. How stupid!

You might think it's stupid, but my father spent 30 years on this garden.

What's so great about spending thirty years making a garden like this?

What's this?

Stop! You'll hurt yourself. Stop!

You just spat in this garden, didn't you?

So what?

Wipe it up.

Wipe it up? How can anyone wipe it up?

You wipe that up. I'll consider you a good person if you do.

What are you talking about?

I don't have anything but spit to give to people.

Why do you hate my father so much?

He's the only person around here who ever smiles anymore.

I don't like this stuck-up garden.

Dear!

I know.

Is this Hirayama Heishire's statue?

Stop that!

Anyone could put something like this up.

I told you to stop. You're going to hurt yourself up. Stop!

Father!

OK, go clean up. Then you can think over what you did.

Are you going to be late again?

Just because I'm going to be late doesn't mean you can drink.

Man Don't worry.

And don't hang around with the guy on the second floor.

Yes, Dear. See you later.

Mrs., the rice ration is here.

Thank you.

It's a bit lonely without those two here.

What do you think is going to happen with those two?

When a husband and wife battle it out, it doesn't help the two of

them to just lift up one of them. There'd be no end to it.

Just ask my wife. She heard a lot, I tell you.

I got lost in my liquor. That's why I can't drink anymore.

Is that right?

Are you going out?

What were you talking about?

What happened to your job? You put Heinosuke on the spot.

I quit that place.

What are you going to do now?

That's why I'm looking for another one. Do you have any money?

What happened to the money I gave you yesterday?

Why?

You're not going to tell me?

How could I? You'll just tell me it was money from your father.

There's not much left, you know.

Who's more important? Me or your father? Tell me once and for all.

My father is my father for my whole life,

but when you act like this I don't know how long you'll be with me.

Is there something you want?

Hello.

Hi there.

I thought I'd come and do some laundry.

I see. I guess a place on the second floor is inconvenient that way.

And I thought I'd stay for two or three days.

Two or three days? Sure.

Where's Mother?

She's inside.

Soldiers need their rest anyway.

Who's the soldier?

The soldiers with husbands. Back in the days of the military regime,

they used to send soldiers home on leave with meat dumplings for their families.

The soldiers were always hungry from eating just barley all the time.

They'd hardly look at their parents and brothers and sisters and just eat and eat.

Did soldiers back then get paid?

Sure. It was how much? It was 10 sen or so in the old money.

My soldier doesn't even get paid.

After three years a private would become a corporal,

but a husband is always a husband.

I don't like it that way.

Yes, it's tough to be a soldier your whole life.

It is.

You're a strong woman, though.

You still haven't said anything about leaving him.

I'm keeping that as a final resort.

And he hasn't said anything about it?

No, he hasn't.

He might be waiting for you to tell him you want him to split up.

He might be afraid to say it because of me.

That's despicable.

But that's what he might be thinking deep down.

Ah, this is a bad situation.

Mrs.! Where were you?

Sorry.

Your husband went somewhere, too.

Is he here now?

He wasn't here last night, either,

but before that he was crying about how his wife had run out on him.

Mrs.!

You think you can run away from me?

Give it back!

I was hungry. I had to eat. Let me go!

You think you can get away with this?

Give it back! Give it back!

Well, let's see you get it from me, then. You're just a crooked moneylender.

What exactly is going on here?

This guy took my money and ran off!

Like I told you, I dropped it somewhere. I'll give it back to you.

That's ridiculous! You drank it up, that's all.

What?

You came back.

I haven't seen you in a week.

Let me see a week's worth of you.

Oh my! Ah, that's nice.

Do you know what I was thinking about this whole week?

I wonder. What were you thinking?

Aren't you embarrassed for yourself?

If you don't like me, just tell me.

I'll tell you what. I was thinking about you the whole time even when I was there.

I thought you might get a job while I was away.

What job am I going to get?

Any job is fine. You don't have to be a big shot.

I just want to enjoy life.

I know. I know.

Father!

What is it today? It can't be laundry in this weather.

We had a fight.

Did you win or lose?

Of course I won, but I don't know how much I won.

Let's get out of the rain anyway.

Where were you going?

If you're going to fight, fight.

You have to go all out or just keep quiet about it.

I can't fight him all out. He gets upset and it affects his work.

If you feel like that, then you shouldn't fight at all.

You should apologise and say "Yes, yes, I understand. "

You can't accept him as he is?

It looks like it'll be bad for a while yet.

Is that what you think?

I thought I might stay with you for a while again.

Sure. That's fine.

Nice weather.

There must be laundry piling up at your place.

Should you be here?

I suppose you're right.

Mother, could I have some more adzuki beans?

I'll give you some next time.

OK, I'll wait. Thank you for everything.

Come visit us sometime, Kyoko.

Thank you.

You forgot your pickled radish.

Save it for Heinosuke when he comes.

They're a strange couple, too.

I hear Heinosuke does the laundry.

Really? Is that right?

Bye.

Bye.

I think I'll go back and see what's happening.

Will you?

It's strange that he didn't try to get in touch with you this whole time.

Do you think they should split up?

Life is a matter of trying, of doing. When she comes home exhausted,

when she can't go on anymore, then we'll talk about splitting up.

But that's the way women lose out.

Men lose, too. Only women lose their whole lives,

and men lose in one moment. That's a big difference.

translated by:

Guy YASKO