YEARNING [MIDARERU]
Executive Producers SANEZUKI FUJIMOTO MIKIO NARUSE
Screenplay ZENZO MATSUYAMA
Photography JUN YUSUMOTO
Music ICHIJO SAITO
Starring
HIDEKO TAKAMINE
YUZO KAYAMA
MITSUKO KUSABUE YUMI SHIRAKAWA
AIKO MIMASU MIE HAMA
Directed by MIKIO NARUSE
News from the Shimizuya Supermarket!
In commemoration of the first anniversary of its opening
it will hold a special bargain sale
for three days starting 10th.
Everything from tooth brushes to farm appliances
to be sold at half price!
The greatest super bargain sale in history!
Good afternoon.
Dear...
They sell eggs at five yen!
Five?
11 yen apiece
The one who eats most in five minutes wins.
The winner gets two thousand yen!
Enough.
Say, why don't you try this?
I ate twelve last time and got horribly sick.
Acute supernutricion.
I belched for three days.
I'd better not.
Let's do it!
To save supper?
Let's go then.
Here we go. Hold your eggs!
Five minutes. OK?
Stand by!
Silly game!
What is this?
Who is he?
Morita's son.
Morita's?
Oh, the grocer.
Come on, let's go!
Don't kill yourself!
Cut it out!
Some people don't get enough to eat.
So what?
We shouldn't drink in bars.
It's a shame.
Mind your own business.
These eggs cost only five yen apiece at our market.
I bought a hundred with my own money.
I can feed them to pigs if I want.
To the pigs!
Wait!
This is Morita's.
Just a moment.
Madam!
Who's speaking?
The police.
Hello.
Yes, speaking.
Koji?
I'm very sorry.
Yes, I'll be right over. Thank you.
Who was it? Koji?
No, mother. It was Takenoya. They wanted us to collect.
Bill's long overdue.
Koji wasn't back last night. What a delinquent!
He attended a meeting last night.
Maybe mahjong afterwards.
Reiko!
I'm sorry.
Koji!
Morita, don't make your sister-in-law worry so much.
She guaranteed your good conduct, but remember
a private settlement doesn't absolve you.
Learned your lesson?
Sure. I'll be careful.
Then, take him.
Whatever the reason, you shouldn't have hurt them.
Violence is a vice.
I'm serious.
It's the second time, Koji.
No, the third.
Wait!
Where are you going?
I'm supposed to be collecting bills.
So we'd better go back home separately.
So Mother doesn't know I was picked up?
You're so nice!
Mother scares me.
She's worried about you quitting your job in half a year.
Every man has his own aptitude.
Aptitude?
Then what is yours?
Loafing.
Unfortunately, you can't make a living at it.
I can, now. So I'm happy.
I thank you for that.
Reiko, aren't you hungry?
No.
But it's noon.
A loafer doesn't deserve food.
Just like a saint.
So hard on my brother, too?
Of course not. He never got drunk.
Never broke windows.
Never bit someone's cheek.
Did I do that?
So I heard.
Was I that drunk?
Just one thing...
Don't worry your mother, please.
Nothing more to say. You're not a kid.
Mother thinks you attended a meeting last night
and played mahjong.
Don't tell her otherwise.
Much obliged.
Hello!
I'll quit the shop.
Why?
I'm so busy and the madam's so stingy.
The master keeps ogling me, too.
What will you do?
Welcome home.
Any orders?
Yes. Bean paste and cider for Aoki.
Vinegar and beer for Sasaki.
I see. Thank you.
Hello, Reiko.
Good afternoon, Hisako.
Collecting?
You're always busy and never free.
If only Koji would work a little for us.
He's making it up to her because she works so hard.
He doesn't look so to me.
I wonder if he likes our shop.
He hates an office job.
He's just lazy.
A college graduate shouldn't be like that.
He hates the shop?
I think he likes the shop all right...
Then why not have him work here as her partner?
It'd be a great help to me if he did.
He's taking advantage of her earnestness.
Or, he thinks he has little chance.
I've also left everything up to her.
I've done nothing.
But your hands were full nursing my sick father.
He had been very grateful to you, Reiko, till he died.
He used to say, "Thanks to Reiko
we've a better shop than before".
Thank you.
But I did just as he told me. Nothing else.
I'm sorry we've let you work for us
only because you were my son's wife.
Don't be. I ought to.
Reiko...
Please don't take this wrong.
I talked about it with Hisako.
She says
it's not fair of me to keep you here for so long.
You're still young.
I had my daughter, Takako, remarry.
Yet I've kept you widowed.
Look at this photograph.
Her husband's friend is a department head of a firm.
He gets 70,000 yen a month. His wife died 2 years ago.
Has a daughter going to school.
No, thank you!
I've never thought of my remarriage.
Well, it's all up to you.
It's just talk. Hisako insisted on telling you.
She feels she owes you very much.
She wants to repay you.
I do appreciate her kindness.
It'd be a good match.
Don't you really want it?
I feel very sorry for letting you toil for this house.
Why should you? This is my house.
Suppose Koji gets married...
He lives here with his wife.
Not embarrassed?
If Mother died soon, say tomorrow...
Why so soon?
I said if.
Don't tempt Fate.
Should it happen, they'd consider you a nuisance.
You don't have to decide now. Think it over, will you?
Yes.
How much?
120 yen. Thank you.
You won this time.
I've lost 14,000.
Gained 6, 500.
Gained 9,000.
Bad luck.
How much do I owe?
8, 400 yen?
Another round.
After lunch.
I heard Marufuku might open a supermarket.
Another supermarket will finish my shop.
This supermarket is giving me some damage, too.
It's robbed me of my customers.
They sell an egg at 5 yen. Below cost.
They want to clean us out.
Then, it's not "super" market. It's "sweeper" market.
Wish they'd sweep garbage.
The days're numbered for our shops.
Customers will pay for it later.
That's for sure.
Never said that.
We'll pay for this.
We'll play all night.
Hello. Nobody out?
It's midnight.
I'm not hungry.
Just thirsty.
I'll pay for it. I've earned a lot.
You're angry.
For I went to play mahjong.
If you thought it wrong why'd you do it?
I like making you angry.
I'm serious.
I didn't tell you to play. I just told them you did.
Roll-cabbage!
I don't care, no matter how late you come home.
Your roll-cabbage is good.
Koji! Be serious once and for all!
Yes, ma'am!
Let's talk about your future.
Nobody can tell my future.
Might be run over tomorrow.
I'm listening.
Sister Takako's remarried.
Now you're going to run this shop.
You're keeping it all right.
Mother wants you to do it.
Father and brother died long ago.
This shop is yours.
Then, what will you do?
Nothing.
But idleness will make you rot.
That's why my toes are swelling!
Did you really play mahjong so late?
I'm not a kid of twelve.
What's that?
Maybe I have a girlfriend.
So I shave.
So I'm worried.
You were seven when I married your brother.
You were cute.
It'd save me these worries if you didn't grow up.
Was I seven?
Then, it's been 18 years.
So long?
Yes.
How old was my brother?
Twenty-two.
We married hastily during the war.
How old were you?
Nineteen.
How could you marry a hopeless soldier?
You don't understand.
We were desperate that time. Each day could be the last.
That isn't written in history.
And I'm desperate now.
That isn't either.
Silly boy!
I should say you've wasted your life for the family.
Wasted?
Yes.
Of course not.
You know, on the night we were told of my husband's death,
our house was bombed.
We went to the country, but you stayed here.
And rebuilt this shop. A rare great woman!
Thank you. Well, I've run this shop up to now.
I want you to take it over.
You're the next runner.
Can't run. My toes're rotting.
Don't try to be funny, young man.
Be more manly!
That's great.
Like you are.
I admire you.
You're a good girl, I'm a bad boy.
Sorry, I'll try to be good.
'Night.
Good night.
It's a waste of you.
What is?
You pulling a cart.
Is it wrong?
You had the job at the firm.
Not much of a firm.
Besides, I'm not the type...
A white-collar worker!
Not a grocer, either.
THE SHIMIZUYA SUPERMARKET
Bean paste, huh?
We'll sell it... cheaper than you.
We'll sweep you out of town.
Try, if you can.
You'll be sorry!
I'm back.
Reiko!
Mother!
Anybody home?
Nobody in?
No.
Strange.
Where can they be?
But the market is attracting people.
They sell really cheap.
Welcome back.
Where were you?
Koji...
Kaya's dead.
Dead?
Hanged himself. Were you with him last night?
Koji?
I'm surprised.
It's not mahjong?
No. His business wasn't good.
He talked about eggs last night.
5 yen at the market, 11 yen here.
That market killed him!
He told me last night,
"There'll be another market.
"We'll close this shop. "
We sell an egg at 11 yen.
Our profit is only 3 yen.
How can we sell at 5?
Calm down.
My husband idled around every day.
But I knew it...
He was trying
to find a way to keep this shop.
Why did you leave me?
Our shop won't last long.
I think I'll become a cabin boy.
I'll be able to go around the world as I work.
I want to go abroad once!
Hello, Koji!
Sit down.
Sorry to call you suddenly.
See my letter?
That's why I'm here.
What do you say?
I've not decided yet.
Our president came back from New York.
He said the department stores there were meeting a crisis.
Every small town has a supermarket.
People don't need to go to cities.
If we start a supermarket, what do you suggest?
Your house has the best location.
Marufuku wants to beat Shimizuya,
but they've no land.
We have 400 square yards.
Very good.
I know we can't keep that shop long but...
Let's start a supermarket!
If we have a new corporation,
what'll sister be?
Sister?
Oh, you mean Reiko.
Well... well...
Sake and sugar cubes?
A large case?
Thank you.
Thank you. Any orders?
Tempura oil for Aoki.
Ketchup and sauce for Shimizu.
Sake for Nakayama again.
What a drinker!
The same brand?
Yes. And she said:
"Your motorcycle is deafening me. Don't pass here at night!".
- Who? - Mrs. Nakayama.
She bites at everybody around.
But your cycle is noisy.
Do you still put that thing on?
The muffler? Of course!
For Mizukami.
Sake and sugar?
That's right. Be careful.
Certainly.
Good afternoon.
Koji in?
What's "kojing"?
I said, Koji... in?
Are you his friend?
He left this in my room.
His watch. Came to me last night.
Take it.
Oh, thank you.
Cheaper at the market.
Just a moment, please.
I've something to ask you.
Would you wait for me at the teashop?
OK. You'll buy me coffee?
Yes.
Mother!
I'll be out. I won't be long.
All right.
This is Moritaya.
Oh, Takako?
Mother?
Sister Hisako called me just now.
She told me about your supermarket.
Supermarket?
I don't know the story.
Koji decided it with Hisako's husband today.
Koji? Went to Shizuoka?
Hisako wants me to come to her place tonight.
She'll ring you, too.
Shall we go together?
Why don't you two come here?
Without Reiko?
Is that so?
Yes. I'll be there.
I've something to tell her.
- Went to Shizuoka? - Yes. Reiko?
She's out now.
What did you talk about with Hisako's husband?
About you and Koji...
What relation... ?
What shall I say?
Love... isn't like this. We sleep together once a week.
Sleep?
Yes, that relation.
Bad coffee!
Then, you can return his watch next time.
Certainly not. I've lots of boyfriends.
I consulted with him about it.
That's a good idea.
You'll be able to do it with his help.
I'll be happy to see you work honestly.
Of course I can do it all right.
But Hisako's husband is unfair.
Why?
He demands the post of director.
Naturally. He plans it and raises money, too.
I don't mind that.
But she built this shop. I want her to be a director.
Who's "she"?
My sister-in-law.
Oh, Reiko.
He said I could use her as an employee at the market.
I can't.
So you insist?
She should be the director. It's natural.
Don't you agree?
I'll tell your sisters.
Reiko founded this shop.
She did it all by herself.
We've no right in this shop.
You must hurry.
You'd better not tell it to her right now.
Welcome back.
Something wrong?
That woman said they sold cheaper at the market.
Why didn't she go there then?
But our old customers come to us.
Make some reduction for them.
I see.
Going out?
To Hisako's house. I'll be back late.
- Koji... - I'll see her off.
Supermarket for everybody! Special sale at the market!
So Reiko refused him?
She said angrily, "I won't remarry!".
No reason to be angry.
But it sounds like driving her out.
We owe her very much for the shop.
I'm not driving her out.
I mean Reiko is still young.
And beautiful, too. What a waste!
You remarried very easily.
But I found it not bad at all.
So I advise her, too.
Nobody will praise her if she remains widowed.
Koji wants her to be a director if he establishes the market.
But that shop is yours.
Isn't it registered so?
On paper, yes.
Then tear down the shop and put up a new building.
Tear it down?
Yes. And build a new one.
That's the best place for the market.
Then it has no connection with Reiko.
Koji is afraid.
He's afraid he can't do the business without her.
But he'll have my husband.
Then appoint her nominally.
If she won't remarry, she'll stay in your family.
Not even nominally.
It'd give her some rights in the market when she quits.
She won't remarry now, but maybe she will tomorrow.
Well, you're right.
Besides, Koji will be married sooner or later.
You, him, his wife and Reiko.
He's not very sensible. You'll all be upset.
What'll we do?
Reiko is too great a woman.
That doesn't justify your son's idleness.
Of course she helped us a lot. I admit that.
But Koji is a big man now.
So let her retire.
What do you mean, retire?
If she wants to stay there,
she can work as an employee at the market.
That sounds impossible.
Mother, times are changing day by day.
Business may be fine now.
But you can't keep that shop for another ten years.
I see.
My husband will raise money for you.
He wants to help you, Mother and Koji.
But it'd bring profit to him too, eh?
Naturally.
The new shop wouldn't be as small as that.
Reiko couldn't manage it.
Well, it's best that she remarries.
So I brought the picture. He's a good man, too.
His salary is 70,000 yen? I remarried too soon.
I'm sorry.
But Koji won't agree.
He has to be convinced.
Not by me.
You tell him yourself.
He looks innocent but he's stubborn.
He says, "I've a good reason for loafing".
But never tells the reason.
You're good at this and breaking your mother's heart.
They sell it at 80 yen at the market?
Then, the same price here.
Where you been?
I played the game.
You win them all?
I know a girl there. She helped me a lot.
I'm not telling you not to play the game, but what'll the boy think?
But he's an employee.
Koji...
If you take care of the shop,
we'd need no employees.
Just you and me?
And... you wife.
My wife?
Yes. You're old enough to be married.
I can't deny it.
I could arrange to get you a nice bride.
And you and your wife take care of the shop.
Of course I'll help you.
Well?
Sorry, I don't like it.
I've no interest in girls.
I had my supper already.
Have some candy.
Listen, Koji.
I was glad when you got the job at the firm.
It'd give you a good experience,
even if you'd run this shop later.
I know.
No, you don't.
Then, why did you quit the firm?
It's my business.
I'll tell you why, if you can't.
What's that?
Yours, isn't it?
Yes, but how... ?
How did I get it? Someone brought it here.
She came here?
Stupid girl!
That "stupid girl" was the reason. Right?
But she's not good.
She's cheating you.
Cheating?
Anyway, don't see her again.
Don't order me.
It's not an order it's just an advice.
Makes no difference.
I love her.
Koji, are you sure you love her? Honestly?
Yes, I do. So what?
She has no honesty, no heart.
You have too much heart, so you've wasted your life here.
You're an exception.
Don't escape.
You're a coward!
Coward?
Only a coward enjoys a relation with a slut like that.
Just like you!
Shall I tell you why I quit the firm?
Why I'm flirting with that slut?
Because you're spoiled.
You don't know living is not an easy thing to do.
If you did,
you'd have stayed in Tokyo.
I quit my firm because I wanted to live here.
With you.
I'm not a coward so I'll tell you.
I've loved you.
Shut up, Koji!
Don't be silly!
You said to me
I'd wasted my 18 years for the family.
Yes.
But I never thought it that way.
My husband died,
but he still lives in my heart.
So I could rebuild our shop here.
Though your father died,
Hisako got married.
And so did Takako. Everybody is happy now.
Everybody knows my eighteen years were not wasted.
They were spent for the family.
How many days were for you?
All of the 18 years!
No! That's a lie.
This is not your house.
My sisters, and even Mother,
they hope you'll leave here.
They don't need you.
It can't be true!
It's not from pity that I say this.
I've loved you truly all the time.
Shut up!
You're my elder.
And my brother's wife, too.
How could I tell you?
So I suffered. I forced myself to keep quiet.
And my debauched life started. They called me a hoodlum.
Who cares! All I want is the nearness of you!
Don't... don't say that!
Or I'll leave this house.
I will.
Koji!
Welcome back.
What's wrong?
Koji and I had a little argument.
And he ran out?
I'm sorry.
So Hisako was right.
She said if he was going to manage this shop
he couldn't get along with you.
Mother...
Let him manage this shop.
I was wrong.
He should�ve done it sooner.
Don't say that.
You've been keeping this shop.
Argued about what?
Not the supermarket?
Supermarket?
There's a plan to build a market here.
Koji would be the president.
Good idea!
Does he know that?
His idea. He consulted with Hisako's husband.
He told you that?
No.
He finds it difficult.
He's not your blood brother after all.
Sorry. Shall I lock the door?
I will.
Reiko?
It's me, Koji.
Drinking?
Where are you?
Come home.
No, I'm not angry.
Yes, you are. You've a good reason.
I said you'd waster your life... a self-sacrifice.
But you said no.
I've thought about it.
Maybe you've lived your life stubbornly.
Let's forget all about it.
Koji, come back please.
I'm worried!
Come home, understand?
Don't drink any more.
I'll be waiting for you till morning.
No, I'm not angry!
Who was it? Koji?
He'll be back soon.
What a problem!
Don't wait for him. Go to bed.
Yes, I will.
Helper Wanted.
Thank you.
What's this?
Am I no good?
You're good enough.
Then no helpers.
Sake for Kotani.
What an appetite!
I worked.
You've shocked people.
Wonder how long it'll last.
The boy quit here.
She has no time for delivery.
Will you eat this?
Yes, I'm going to.
I'll go to the public bath.
Wait for me.
Thank you. You're soaking wet!
Sake for Aoki. I'll take them now.
Can't you make it later?
I don't think so.
Oh, you're here.
Koji!
A miracle has happened!
Koji, your big feet! Be careful of my sandals.
They'll break!
"A fool's feet".
And you're such a fool.
Going out?
Come to the temple.
I'll be there.
Reiko, what do you want?
I'm going to ask you a favor.
I can't stand living like this.
People will talk about us.
Let them talk, then.
They mustn't.
I love you. Why is it wrong?
Why? It just is.
Nonsense!
Open your eyes.
There're many beautiful girls.
That's no answer.
There's a thing called common sense, too.
You open your eyes!
"People will talk!". So what?
You don't understand.
I'm old. Old people have old senses.
No more argument. Or you'll beat me with your logic.
Just listen to me.
I've decided to do something.
I ask you: don't try to stop me.
If you say those things you said the other night,
I'll kill myself. That's a promise.
What is it?
I'll tell you tomorrow.
Closed today
Why the sudden meeting?
Reiko said she had something to tell us all.
Reiko?
Hisako?
She'll be here soon.
- Present. - Thank you.
Koji in?
Yes. He's changed so much. I'm rather scared!
Hello.
What is it?
Reiko will tell us.
Reiko? I saw her at the station just now.
Delivering.
Even on holidays.
She's such a hard worker!
Too hard.
So Koji's enervated.
Me what?
You're being pulled around by Reiko's apron-string.
What about our plan?
Supermarket?
Later, perhaps.
You look like a cat with trimmed nails. Shame!
I'm back.
Welcome home.
Hello.
I called you because I've something to tell you.
What about?
About this shop.
And about my future.
What about this shop?
You know it better than I, don't you?
Mother told me
that you plan to build a supermarket.
And that Koji insisted on making me a director,
but your husband didn't agree.
He didn't mean any harm.
You know I'm a poor talker.
Doesn't matter. Listen to her.
I agree to the plan about the supermarket.
And I think Koji will be a fine manager.
Why isn't such a good plan carried out?
Because there is an obstacle.
Me.
Reiko!
Since I came to live here
I've done my best in my own way.
But when I think things over,
I feel I've made a sacrifice of my little life and wasted it.
Reiko, you...
I think my life is not finished yet,
so I can still enjoy it.
For a long time I've put a yoke on my shoulders.
I thought it best to work hard... just work.
But recently I've come to think
I've had the yoke long enough.
Are you leaving this house?
Yes.
To start a new life.
But you said you'd never leave us,
you'd stay here and help Koji.
She said she'd been a slave to this house.
So she wants freedom now!
That's a lie!
She doesn't want to leave this house. You want her to.
Koji!
What an insult!
It's true. Who want to leave a place he built with his own hands?
The whole city was burned.
She worked alone and built this shop.
What did we do?
We only followed her!
Koji!
Stop it!
Listen to me.
I'm still young.
And there's somebody I love.
A man?
No!
Yes!
I'm sorry I didn't tell you that.
So you've a lover!
Can't be true!
Find yourself a nice bride
and please your mother.
Mother...
Koji!
Build your supermarket and make it prosperous.
What shall we do?
I'm rather shocked.
But if she loves a man, I think she'd better go to him.
She has the right to live as she likes.
Nobody should stop her.
Mother...
I'm sorry.
I'll go back to my home town today.
I bought my ticket.
To your brother's?
Yes.
You've been very kind.
Thank you.
What shall I do?
Anyway, she wants to leave.
It's best to remarry if she has a man.
She hasn't! I know it!
Is it because...
It's all over. Thank you for keeping the promise.
Said you had a man.
A lie. No?
Why did you lie? Why hurt yourself?
I didn't.
It's true there's somebody I love.
My dead husband.
Yes, I lied.
I said I'd made a sacrifice of my life and wasted it.
But I didn't waste my life. I lived it.
Stubbornly, as you said.
What will you do?
I'll think it over in the country.
Will you come back if I marry?
I don't know.
I don't want to watch her driven out.
Mother, at least see her to the station.
- I'll go home. - Oh, don't. Stay here, will you?
Then they'll say I drove her out!
I'll go, too.
Without you, what shall I do?
I don't know exactly what's happening.
Let her go.
What else?
Maybe she's meeting her lover at the station.
Anyway, I'll go.
Wait!
Nothing can stop you?
Mother, take care of yourself.
The same to you.
I'll escort you home.
Orange.
Change.
Ueno Station, Tokyo.
- Where'd you go? - I bought these.
This is for you.
What for?
A souvenir. Take it.
Wasting money!
Don't worry. I've plenty.
Sold the cycle.
Nobody is using it.
Fair deal.
Naughty boy. Mother must be worried.
Have some.
Move over here?
No, thanks.
Let's buy something to eat.
I'm hungry.
I'm full.
It's really far your home.
I wonder how you could know my brother.
I worked in Shimisu during the war.
And I was acquainted with your mother.
So, actually, she loved you first.
What a big eater!
Want some hot coffee?
Too much to ask.
Go to sleep.
I'm not sleepy.
What's wrong?
Why cry?
Tell me.
Let's get off the train.
I'm a woman.
When you said you loved me,
I felt
very glad.
Come here.
Give me your hand.
The right one.
What for?
Come on.
Remember this?
You used to do this to me long ago.
You put a paper ring on my finger
saying, "Don't take it away".
Remember?
Now, don't take this away till the morning.
You will take the first bus in the morning and go home.
All right?
Why did you suddenly get off the train?
I watched you sleeping.
You looked pitiful.
Pitiful?
You pitied me?
No.
As I told you,
I'm a woman.
I've been a different woman from that day on.
I looked for you when you weren't around.
And yet, when you were with me,
I was afraid. I could even go mad.
I didn't know that was love.
I won't go back.
I abandoned my house and my mother.
You shouldn't!
You're young. You've a big future!
I have no future without you.
Don't say that!
Go back home.
I could work here with you.
Reiko, I love you.
With all my heart.
Don't!
Please don't...
Good night.
Thank you.
Are you from Tokyo?
No. Far beyond.
You been to Tokyo?
I've never been out of this village in my life.
Like a tree in the mountain.
It produced silver, so the name Silver Mountain?
It was long before I was born.
How old are you?
25.
Have any children?
A son. Died at your age.
He died at the place called Midway.
The war...
Excuse me. Telephone for you.
Hello, Reiko?
Where'd you go?
Where are you?
In a bar.
With many girls.
Such a nice bar in the country!
Are you drinking there?
I'll stay at another inn with a girl here.
I've picked one already.
You go home alone in the morning.
I won't see you.
That's all right.
I was happy.
Remember I loved you.
Forgive me.
I didn't know it'd be that way.
I didn't know.
I didn't!
Nothing to forgive. Well, good night, Reiko.
I mean, goodbye.
He fell off the cliff!
THE END