That'll be 957 yen.
Ma'am!
Show me the contents of your bag.
Shoplifting?
You're saying I stole these?
Don't be ridiculous.
If it's about the money... Look.
See? I have it.
Why would I steal?
I'll pay for the cans.
How much?
You know,
I've been pickpocketed
on the train before.
But not once have I taken someone's things.
I mean it.
Ask around. It's the truth.
My husband... has another woman.
It was easier when I didn't know her name.
But now, when I wait at night,
all I hear in my head
is Keiko Akagi, Keiko Akagi.
The words rattle around like they're on a millstone
and I can't stay at home.
That's why...
Please.
Whatever you do, please don't ask for my name!
Hey.
What's wrong?
Welcome back.
What are you doing out here?
Oh, uh...
Welcome back!
What took you so long?
Oh, you met Dad at the station.
No, we were out of bread.
Bread?
If you're going out, say something.
Hiroo was in a panic the whole time.
- Hey... - I was not!
- Quiet down! - Don't make stuff up.
I'm not making it up.
"Grow, grew, grown."
Shut up! I don't need your help.
Shut up already.
You're getting old, dear.
Why?
Even if you skip a bath, you don't get so dirty these days.
I remember when your shirt collars would turn black,
and your shoes would be wet from skin oil.
Dad does have oily feet.
Don't talk about feet while I'm eating.
You're awfully fussy for a man.
True that. He always checks freshness dates too.
I'm sensitive. Unlike you.
Keep that up, and you'll never climb the ladder.
It has nothing to do with that.
Yes, it does. You'll find out one day.
You're such a child, bro.
I said quit splashing!
It's okay. It's just curry soup.
Zip it, both of you. Go upstairs!
Huh? Didn't you go buy bread, Mom?
I did, but they were closed.
Which supermarket?
- Was it Maru... - Would you like some tea?
Sure.
- The one across the tracks is-- - Where's Dad's tea cup?
Who's that?
- Let's bet on it. I take Aunt Takiko. - I say Aunt Saki.
Mom!
That's pretty hard.
- Right? Yet it looks so easy. - Yeah.
- One-two. - Shh!
Good night.
W-We can't?
Don't say "can't."
It's not your fault.
I'm just... not an attractive woman.
But that time--
Don't talk about that time.
If we can't again...
Now you're the one saying "can't."
I mean if it happens again,
I'm worried we can't go on as a couple.
You said it again.
Oh.
But, uh... Next time, okay?
Takiko,
wasn't this your plan for tonight?
You treated me to grilled meat...
and we saw a movie like this.
D-Don't be ridiculous!
I would n-never...
Cut it out!
Oh, the phone!
I'm com--
I'm coming!
Coming now!
There we go.
Hey, this apartment has central heating, you know.
We don't need a kotatsu. Right?
My mom is a country girl.
Without one of these, she can't feel warm.
- There! Mom, it's ready! - She's asleep already!
I finished it! Here we go.
Come on! That's why I told you to put it together in her room.
- Oh, my! A kotatsu! - Nice, right?
Who could that be?
Hide, answer it!
Okay, got it.
Jinnai residence.
Hello?
Oh, it's you, Takao.
Why are you calling so late?
Your dad started a small fire at Ikegami.
Did the house burn?
They didn't need a fire engine, but the place is soaked.
How did that happen?
- He slept with a lit cigarette. - A cigarette?
The neighbors noticed, and they called the poli-- I mean fire department.
I had a feeling something like this would happen.
When Mom... died... I told him he should live with one of us.
But he said he was fine alone.
Um, Tsunako?
Dad... can be so stubborn...
Hello?
ASURA
The truth is that we've often smelled something burning in there.
It worried my daughter-in-law and me, but we didn't want to tattle on him.
He doesn't tell us anything.
I see.
We've been worried too.
An old man like him can't live alone.
We've done everything we can to try and convince him.
Well, if he starts a fire,
it won't be just his house.
Oh, my.
That's one fancy car.
Sakiko?
Your younger sister?
- Uh, yes. - My, my...
You girls are doing well for yourselves, so please take care of your father.
We'll talk it over.
We're very sorry.
- Good night. - Jeez!
The house is still standing, isn't it?
We'd better bring them some gifts later.
We're lucky it was just our house.
- What's so funny? - Nothing.
It's funnier to come to a fire dressed like that!
You all should have been smarter. I could have picked everyone up.
It's faster to come by train.
We made it in time. You're the last one here.
I can't drop everything and leave when I have a baby.
I'll bet you were getting dressed.
Well, this isn't a fish market, is it?
What did you say?
Huh?
- Say it to my face! - This isn't a fish market!
Hey, this is no time for fights. We're lucky Dad's alive!
Quiet. He'll hear you.
Let's go inside.
Come on!
Wait!
Hold on a second.
- What? - Huh?
Isn't it time we were firm?
What?
With Dad.
Look what all this hesitating has got us.
Be firm...
And say what?
That age has caught up with him more than he thinks?
- That maybe he's going senile? - Sakiko!
He'll hear you!
Oh my, it's getting cold! Let's hurry inside!
It sure is cold!
Huh? You were sleeping there, Dad?
It's not like the house burnt.
All four of you didn't have to come.
Well, Dad.
Are you finally grateful for Mom now?
She always put water in your ashtrays.
That's true.
And she put all these cushions away once guests had left.
Women should be the ones left behind, not men.
Men should always die first.
- Dad, we need to talk. - Save it for tomorrow.
Where will you sleep now?
The other room.
Without a futon?
I'll use the guest futon.
- I'll-- - No, it's fine.
- But you can't-- - I said I'm fine!
There's that stubbornness.
Dad!
They were the ones who apologized to your neighbors. Don't you get it?
- That's no big deal. - It is!
Why don't you apologize for the trouble?
- Isn't that the least-- - Enough already.
Let's just get this done.
- Is there an apron somewhere? - The tatami need replacing.
It should be 10,000 yen for each, so 60,000 in all.
Sakiko, you should talk to us before you get any ideas.
I didn't say I'd pay for it alone! You always jump to conclusions.
- I'm just worried. - Gross!
Hide's fine now, but it won't last if he gets hurt.
What's wrong with short and sweet?
You know, I saw Rocky 2 the other day, and--
With who?
What does it matter?
With Mr. Katsumata, I'll bet.
- Anyway, the hero was poor, right? - Are you two getting along?
But then he suddenly becomes champion.
- He starts spending money like crazy. - Makiko, help me with this.
He buys a big house and a flashy car.
That sounds better than lying around afraid to act.
At least he's human!
- Who do you mean? - Can't we do this tomorrow?
There's no end in sight.
Shall we go to sleep? Or have tea?
Who did you mean?
- Who's afraid to act? - Let it go!
- Who, huh? - Stop fighting, or go home!
You younger two are so carefree.
Aren't you worried about Dad?
This is no time for Rocky, Lockheed, or whatever.
Here won't do.
- Hear that? Rock-y or Lock-heed? - Oh, man.
Who's the one making puns?
Well, then what do you "older two" think?
That's...
You know.
We can't face the neighbors if we do nothing.
Should one of us take him in?
- Or will one of us live here? - Sorry, but I can't.
- I have a baby and in-law to deal with. - You have space, though.
Tsunako has the most space!
Not me! I can't have some grumpy old man around.
My students will disappear.
Your students, eh?
- They must be male students. - Makiko!
- Coming! - Of course there are men.
Whether it's shamisen or ikebana,
having all women won't do.
If you have even one male student, more women will come.
Wow, Tsunako is sweating.
Well, I'm approaching menopause.
- Of course I sweat. - You don't look that way to me.
In the dark, I'll bet Takiko looks older.
Don't say that to someone in love!
But it's the truth.
If we squeeze you both, you'd be riper, Tsunako.
She's not a radish to be grated.
Speaking of radishes,
I had one of those "rat radishes" recently.
They're the same color as a rat.
The radish is shriveled so it's not moist, but they're spicy.
That's all I am. A rat radish.
They taste good, though.
And they go well with soba noodles.
I'll bet Mr. Detective Agency says that. "She may not look like much..."
"But she tastes good."
Are you out of your mind?
- Out of the way! - Hey!
Get it together, will you?
Unbelievable.
Save the vulgar jokes for home.
I can't help being vulgar.
Jeez, with four sisters around, there are so many bumps and craters.
What are you doing?
Hey, quit pushing!
- Who's the bump and who's the crater? - Move.
Huh? I need to move?
Whoa, wait a second.
We have to lift this one. Lift it! Hey, help!
Watch it, will you?
What's wrong with you?
- Stop it! - It wasn't my fault!
Now the trash bags are stuck.
It's wet here. Gross!
Oh, man...
There's a bug!
- Wait, it's not a bug. - Come on!
It was a burn mark.
You startled me.
That sure was a loud sigh.
People with prominent noses sigh louder.
That's news to me.
You're thinking of snoring.
Wow, listen to Sakiko.
She sure is carefree.
Between breastfeeding and her mother-in-law, she's exhausted.
If that's the case, we shouldn't invite her.
You shouldn't talk like that.
We're siblings, after all.
There we go.
- Isn't it too bright? - Huh?
- It's 100 watts. - Just 60 will do.
This is easier on his eyes when he reads the paper.
Come on, Sakiko. You'll catch a cold.
If not for what happened...
would Mom still be here?
If Dad never had a mistress,
and Mom hadn't collapsed in front of that woman's apartment...
It was her time.
No matter what happened, she'd die first and leave him behind.
That's what fate had in store.
You're wrong.
What?
You weren't there when she collapsed.
Yeah, but--
I'll never forget Mom's face.
That woman...
What was her name?
Dad's...
Tomoko. Tomoko Tsuchiya.
Do you think they still see each other?
No way. She remarried, didn't she?
I'm not so sure.
Can people just cut things off?
Well,
it probably depends on the person.
You can't.
You can't cut them off.
You never know, do you?
I mean,
I always thought our dad wasn't the type.
Come here.
Dad did it before too.
What?
I think it was after the war ended.
There was a time when he got extra money by working with alumite.
- I wasn't born yet. - Me neither.
There was a woman then.
She was a war widow with a small black market restaurant.
The one who wore gaudy crepe work pants?
You noticed?
Yeah.
When I'd wake up to use the bathroom, I'd hear Mom with the millstone.
She was grinding wheat sent from her parents.
That rumbling, creaking sound.
Grinding, over and over.
She had such a scary look on her face.
Even as a child,
I realized Dad must be at that woman's home.
- Huh? - What?
- Dad! - Oh, no!
This is your own house, Dad.
You don't have to sneak around in the dark for a drink.
You really can't go on living alone.
If you start another fire, an apology won't be enough.
This isn't an isolated farmhouse.
- I just need to quit smoking! - Huh?
Hey, be careful!
Come on! You didn't even wipe your feet.
You better wipe your own feet too.
Ugh, it reeks of alcohol.
Get a rag, and wring it in the tub--
- Huh? - What?
- Dad! - Oh, Dad.
You didn't have to throw them away.
Does he have more alcohol stocked somewhere?
It's time.
Wake up.
Yeah.
Can't slack off now.
I'll do it.
Did you wear pajamas to bed?
I did.
Liar.
You slept naked.
What if your shoulder muscles stiffen?
I'll pay you the fine.
Did Katsutoshi cry during the night?
He woke up crying once, and my mom put him to sleep.
Tell your mom I'll be home this afternoon.
How are things there?
He just burned his futon and tatami.
My sisters are melodramatic.
I HAVE A MEETING
Hey, is today one of Dad's work days?
No, it's not.
He didn't want to deal with us.
It's fine. You worry too much.
- Yeah, but... - Humans have a lot of nerve.
They can shame themselves and forget in an instant.
We couldn't have our talk,
but I imagine Dad will be careful for a while.
It's better to convince him when there's not such a fuss.
Right now, it's like we're cornering him.
Oh, I almost forgot.
I'm gonna take that Oshima Tsumugi kimono with me.
Oshima Tsumugi? The mud-dyed one?
Mom said I could have it.
Wait, the one with the fireworks?
- She promised me too. - They're chrysanthemums, not fireworks.
Huh? Are you sure?
That was my favorite one.
None of you even wear kimono!
I do on formal occasions.
Oshima kimono aren't formal wear.
At New Year's then.
Isn't that Mom's most expensive one?
I need it for business, you know!
Hey, why don't we divide them all at once?
Mom's stuff.
- Her keepsakes? - Yeah.
Dad said to decide among ourselves.
What?
- Dad said... to decide among ourselves! - Is that Dad?
Who is it?
Wait.
I bet it's Takao.
I told him not to come, but he thinks we can't get anything done without him.
I'm coming!
I had a feeling you'd show up.
Oh, dear. You-- Huh?
Why is it so tight? There!
Hello.
I'm sorry to hear about...
Come in.
Mr. Katsumata!
Come in!
Excuse me.
Don't surprise me like this.
Why are you here?
Oh, uh...
We had just returned to Takiko's apartment
when the phone rang.
You came home together?
Wait, does that mean--
- It's not that! - Um...
- He saw me home after the movie. - I knew it! You saw Rocky together!
- Why do you have to twist everything? - Don't get so upset.
- Have a rolled omelet. - Why are you here?
It has sardines.
Why are you here?
"Why?" I mean...
He came to check on things.
Right. That's more than some people.
You lack common sense. You can't just show up.
I don't know how you put up with her, Mr. Katsumata.
If I were a guy, I'd dump her.
Well, I can't be picky.
Oh, that's not what I meant.
- When it comes to me. - When it comes to you, right?
- I don't care. - When it comes to him.
When what comes to him?
He can't be picky.
Dad already left.
Who is it? Mom?
He left for work already?
I guess.
What time? He was home last night, right?
Hello?
I went to bed early, so...
- Hey, did Dad-- - Let me talk.
- I'm talking! - Hey, Mom.
Huh? Yoko?
I have class in Ochanomizu today. Can I go to a movie with Dad afterward?
What did he say?
Hands off-- He said okay.
Don't be out too late.
Oh,
and tell your dad that I'm mad at him, okay?
Tell him yourself!
I said hands off!
Huh? You were home, Dad?
Was that Mom?
Should I call her back?
No, it's fine.
She said she's mad at you.
What did you do, Dad?
Nothing you kids need to know.
"When I Kissed The Teacher,"
"Dancing Queen," "My Love, My Life."
Tie-break-er!
This one's mine.
Tie-break-er!
Rock, paper, scissors!
- You chose that one? - I'll take this then.
You're taking all the good ones.
Okay, next.
- Sakiko. - Well...
I think I'll pass.
- You don't want any? - Those two were the best.
Everything else is too old and beat-up to wear.
Keepsakes aren't for wearing.
Yeah, they're things money can't buy.
If she doesn't want them, that's her loss.
Just look... See? How about this ishikiate?
What's a "nishikiate"?
- Ishikiate. - Ishikiate.
- "Ishiki," not "Nishiki." - What's an ishikiate?
- You don't know? - No.
You wear it to cover your behind.
Look. Mom even mended hers.
She'd stay up all night doing it.
All her life, she did nothing but work.
Huh?
- What are these? - Oh my gosh!
Gross! Don't look!
- Wow! - Put those away! They're disgusting!
Don't rip them!
I said put them away!
- Yeah, but... - Is something wrong?
Don't look!
Oh, he's looking all right.
This is a man-free zone!
But aren't these for men in the first place?
W-Why the heck... were these things in there?
They're Mom's.
You can't be serious.
She brought them upon marriage.
I've heard talk of that before. In the old days...
Oh, I've heard that too.
In place of sex education,
mothers put them in their daughters' wardrobe.
Wow.
So then, these are for women?
I never thought we'd find them here.
The thought of my mother having these around for decades...
Do you think Dad knew?
No, I doubt it.
Come on, they sell rice designated for food reserves at the supermarket.
You can get 10 kg for 4,850 yen.
What driver follows every traffic law?
You've got to be more flexible.
Your office in Kyushu is the only one with bad numbers.
How does natural Australian wool lose out to a mass-produced product?
The price?
- If that were true, order-made-- - Mr. Satomi.
Well, I'm sure it's tough, but do what you can. Okay?
Right. Bye.
Hello, sir.
I was just craving a break.
Shall we go out?
Here is fine.
Oh? Ms. Akagi. The meeting room.
Yes, sir.
Well then...
Oh, I've decided to quit smoking.
Thanks.
I bet they smothered you.
If I'd seen this coming, I wouldn't have had four.
Especially not four girls, right?
You said it.
I'll bet you kept thinking the next one would be a boy.
It was more their mother who thought that.
Was it shameful for her to have no heir?
In the old days.
Is something up?
No, I was passing by.
Welcome, sir.
That won't do for him. Make it green tea.
No, this is fine.
I apologize.
Sorry about that.
Thank you.
How's work?
Could be better, could be worse.
Sounds just right.
Ambition does a man no good.
With a little more ambition, couldn't you have climbed higher?
Who knows...
I don't remember.
- Sir. - Yes?
- Would you like to live with us? - What?
There's not much space, but...
I want to die in my own home.
Punch!
Oh, that's wonderful.
Let's do the interview over here.
We want photos of you answering, so please face me.
First,
as the wife of a champion, what are you most focused on?
That would be his diet.
I even bought a book for counting calories.
I see. And you have only one child?
We already have a big baby at home.
He's a real handful.
Your son's name means "victory," right?
Yes. It's Katsutoshi.
Are words that suggest defeat taboo?
I don't even use the words "knock down."
Except at the grocery store.
"Sir, could you knock down this price?"
So then,
what about "other" activities?
- Other? - You know...
Nighttime activities.
- Say I'm the champion there too. - Oh, my!
I'm not so sure.
Still doing six-rounders, I'd say.
Thank you very much.
Any beauty secrets?
- Beauty? - Yes!
Masukawa Restaurant.
Hello? This is Masukawa.
Dear! It's for you.
Oh?
Who is it?
Yes, hello?
What shall we do about lacquerware?
Heiando is asking us to order early.
Unlike the old days, the kitchen staff rough them up.
What a hassle.
The prices are outrageous.
What's that?
You need coins, don't you?
It must be my age.
If I carry change in my pocket, my shoulders stiffen.
But you promised.
It's work. It can't be helped.
Welcome.
No tea for her, Ms. Akagi.
Family members get water.
Is he like this at home?
I'd have to watch a bit longer to tell.
How can I work with you watching me like that?
Here. Go get cake with your friends.
They've all gone home already.
It's a sudden meeting! We'll do it next time.
I wanted to see that movie too.
- Huh? Really? - Yeah.
Are you sure?
Even I'm free sometimes.
Would you like to go with her?
Yeah.
Oh, my husband is grateful for your support.
The gratitude is mine.
What can I do for you?
I'm spending the evening with Yoko in place of Mr. Satomi.
Are you sure it's no trouble?
No, I happened to be free tonight.
Is that so?
She's a child, so ramen or hamburger steak is fine.
I'll try not to keep her too late.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
Well, then.
Good--
What if a UFO abducts you like that boy?
- Excuse me. - He was cute, right?
Today's appetizer.
You don't need any special skills.
Typing or stenography gives you an advantage,
but most Japanese secretaries haven't progressed that far.
Do you want to be a secretary?
Yeah, it sounds glamorous.
We're often misunderstood.
The Japanese word hisho sounds suspicious, right?
But "secretary" in English sounds nice.
It's just like saying "toilet."
Toilets are "flushed," but Japanese benjo are "pumped."
Perfect dinner conversation, isn't it?
Someone got flowers. They're pretty.
Maybe it's their anniversary.
So, what about your mom and dad?
They're an odd couple.
Why's that?
They discuss the little things.
Like which bug spray doesn't smell bad.
But they don't talk about important stuff.
They put it off.
Important stuff?
Like affairs and things.
Who's guilty? Is it your dad?
Your mom then?
Is my dad having an affair?
Well, it's usually the man.
My grandfather is 70, but he has a mistress.
They broke up though.
I guess Japan is progressing.
Soon, maybe secretaries will be accepted too.
Like flushed toilets?
Ms. Akagi bought this for you?
She said it's a present.
What did you talk about?
Um, lots of things.
Our family...
She asked about you too.
She's pretty glamorous.
Her legs are thin and smooth as silk.
All women are like that when they're young.
Yours were too, Mom?
Smooth as silk.
Hey.
Yeah?
If our love ever fades, let's split up.
What?
Well, you know.
If we no longer love each other,
let's not force ourselves to stay together.
What brought this on?
According to Tsunako,
my dad had another affair before I was born.
You mean different from the one this time?
Yeah. Long before that.
He had another woman, but when he came home,
he and my mom would...
Isn't it kind of sad?
They forced themselves, just because they wanted a boy.
Maybe it wasn't forced.
Huh? You think?
Yeah.
I bet they were really in love.
So don't let it bother you.
You were born to parents who wanted you too.
That doesn't bother me!
When did I ever say that?
You didn't. But I know by watching you.
I'm a boxer. I have good eyes.
I should have taken one of Mom's kimonos.
From your father's perspective, I wouldn't want you to come.
All four of you can't go every time something comes up.
It would be better for you and me to go alone.
If we did that, we'd have to take responsibility.
What's wrong with that? I don't mind.
What if he had a lodger?
Someone who isn't family and would clean the house.
A man, of course.
Your dad wouldn't like making conversation.
He doesn't talk much anyway.
You have a candidate?
Mr. Katsumata.
Takiko needs to tie the knot.
That's thinking ahead.
All women think that far.
Yeah? That's spooky.
So, your secretary, Ms. Akagi--
I knew I didn't recognize that kimono.
Was it your mom's?
Does it smell like mold?
A little.
When we looked through her kimono, we found a surprise.
Money?
What was it?
Paintings.
Paintings?
What kind?
You know...
A lot?
About four, maybe five.
How'd everyone react? Takiko, especially.
While my dad slept around,
my mom... waited for him at night.
We thought she was someone who could endure that sort of thing.
But Mom...
She kept those paintings in her wardrobe.
She brought them as a 19-year-old bride and kept them until she died!
If they were in her wardrobe, they were in here too.
Mom...
Where are the paintings now?
We left them there.
The kids
are still awake.
Yes, I'm coming.
Who is it?
It's me.
I suddenly wanted to see you.
Me too.
I can't.
You said you wouldn't use that word.
I really can't.
Right now... I have a sheet mask on.
I'd like to see.
Next time.
Good night.
Subtitle translation by: Brad Plumb