Harakara (The Village) (1976) Movie Script
Miss Kono firstvisited us in mid-March
Aftera snowfall rare forspring
Ourvillage, Matsuo, is in lwate prefecture
One hour by train from Morioka
Then 20 minutes by bus
Wait a moment
Miss Kono is with the Toitsu Troupe
She visits different districts
where the troupe might perform
Hideko Kono, Toitsu Theatrical Troupe
The superintendent told herwhere I lived
She decided to walk all the way
This was most surprising
It would take a man one hour
to coverthe distance
In Miss Kono's case,
she probably plodded along
Singing merrily along that hilly road
Takashi's back
Are you the group's leader?
The village office phoned about me
She's been waiting for you for one hour
I called the doctor Difficult delivery
Birth expected tonight
A birth? Then you're going to be busy
If a female
The first child could well be a boy
We'd sell a male for cD3,000
cD3,000!
It's our cow She's giving birth
I thought it was yourwife
I'm not married yet
I'm Hideko Kono ofthe Toitsu Troupe
I'm Takashi
From Tokyo?
This milk is fresh from this morning
It looks good
Do you know Kichijoji?
It's near our headquarters
About 15 minutes by train
Is there someone?
My niece lives there
Married a man named Murakami
The house is in Midori-cho
Tokyo's too big a city
There'll be a birth there soon
Keeping a cow?
Why, no, this is a human baby
Can't keep a cow in Tokyo
By then it was time forthe last bus
Miss Kono summed up
her request and left hurriedly
I'll phone in April
She wanted to bring a show here
And asked for our
youth group's cooperation
The idea was both sudden and startling
Our house seldom
has visitors during wintertime
A charming person had come,
laughed, and left
Kayoko
Why, Susumu! What are you doing here?
I returned on vacation
Why?
I wanted to see you
Brought your mail
Same oldjob?
Did you get fired?
This is a vacation
Tokyo has spruced you up
Why don't you come to
our board meeting tonight?
Who's the president?
Takashi
Takashi? How did he become
the president?
No one wants to be
Those gone out to work returned
A meeting was held
A cook?
In Kabuki-cho
Where abouts?
Near Koma?
Know the place?
That was when I was in love
with Kayoko
Let's proceed
The final item
I'd better leave
Stay until the end
Then we'll drink
Let me introduce the guest
From the Toichi Troupe
Toitsu
Hideko Kono ofToitsu
I'm glad to meet you
The purpose of hervisit is
to have a play staged here
She wants us to sponsora musical
called Native village
Right?
What kind of a play
Didn't ljust tell you?
Native village
A musical that the young
and old can enjoy
Who are the stars?
Not mentioned here
Who are the leading actors?
Ourtroupe isn't that famous
It doesn't appear on Tv
We have no famous stars
No Sophia Loren
Any opinions?
How about Kikuchi?
I've nothing to say
I think it's a good idea to
have a play performed here
What must we do?
Takashi said for
our youth association to sponsor it
What does that mean?
Miss Kono explained it to me
Supporting the performance
in ourvillage
Means accepting responsibility
Responsibility?
In case there's a deficit
Deficit?
But why?
It costs money to put on a play
Must we pay for it?
If we sponsor it
Our youth association will sell tickets
I understand
This group will pay money
to buy the performance
A deal?
How much?
Miss Kono says the troupe's
performance fee is cD450,000
That isn't all, is it, Aiko?
Lodging expenses forthe troupe's
Then posters, circulars, tickets
and so oncD200,000
Total: CD650,000
For one show?
CD650,000 for one night
Can ourgroup assume the responsibility?
Any opinions?
I don't see how we could ever do it
I thought it would be around cD20,000
May I say a few words?
Chujijust said that he thought
it would costs about cD20,000
We'd like to do it forthat, if it's possible
Butjust think a moment
Sets, props, lighting
and sound equipment
To entertain the audience with songs
and dances for 3 hours
What we earn as living expenses
comes to less than cD200,000
Nor is that every day
Only about 8 performances in one year
That's what ourtroupe is living on
The show is expensive
Meanwhile, utilities charges are going up
We'd like to do it for less
but this is the bare minimum
We're not doing this forthe money
We love the theater
We want people to see our performance
A large number of people
gatherto laugh and cry together
They talk about it a long time afterward
That's the kind of experience
we want to create
This is last year's ticket from Nagano
cD800
Even at cD1,000,
you would need to sell 650 tickets
In orderto raise cD650,000
That won't be easy It will be difficult
But don't give up too easily
That can be done at any time
please considerthe idea carefully
Any opinions?
Something, Chuji?
Why not do it?
Come to my place
Welcome Susumu
The last train has left
The train for Morioka?
Is there an inn here?
Well, there is butKayoko!
Can you put up Miss Kono forthe night?
I was wondering what she'd do
Sure, she can stay
I'd be troubling you too much
Her house is big
Dirty too
Yes, but
Going to Chuji's place, Kayoko?
Let's all go
Shall we?
In my car
Nice drive-in
Modeled it aftera place
in Ueno where I once worked
I thought it had a Tokyo atmosphere
Handsome bartender
Are you staying in Morioka at an inn?
Rented a house for our office
visit us sometime
Living alone?
There are five of us
We visit different youth groups
Been doing it long?
About 10 years
Revealing my age
Our youth group lacks strength
It's shameful
but we've never done anything worthwhile
With such a leader
Why you!
Tetsuyafarmer?
Public servant
postal worker
Chuji, tell herabout him That story
What?
You see, he wrote a love letter
to a certain girl
What happened?
Mailed it, then had to deliver it himself
It was part of my work
The girl wrote a letter of rejection
Which he then delivered to his own house
Let's be friendly
I'll prepare some food Dance, everybody
Will you dance with me?
Great, Tetsuya!
What about Tokyo?
Takashi, when are you going to
start work on that field?
That field's no good
Carrots look promising
Last year's garlic was a big loss
The same thing with cabbage 2 years ago
So what?
Hopeless
Sit there
Do you intend to be a farmer or not?
Which is it?
I told you on New Year's
I'm not forcing it on you
If you're unwilling,
I'll quit my factoryjob
The important thing is for you
to make up your mind
Do you or don't you want to be a farmer?
Despite what you say,
you're forcing me into it
Is that so? Then quit!
I'll give you money
Leave tomorrow forSendai! OrTokyo!
You shouldn't say that
Mother, you pamper him
He's tired from the meeting
president ofthe youth group, eh?
Can't farm decently
What a president!
Not my desire
Then quit!
I will!
After ourfather's death
My brotherworked hard
to send me to school
I'm fully aware ofthat
Three years have passed since
Brother's wife died
Hasn't remarried
It's hard fora widowerwith two children
To find a bride who'll live on a farm
It's a painful situation for Brother
I can understand how he feels
You worked forawhile in Tokyo?
When was it?
After high school
Forabout 2 years
Where?
A small but nice boutique
I wanted to stay there
but Father kept telling me to return
Worried?
Ourfamily has only girls
He wants me to marry an adopted son
I've made the bed
Thank you
Bath is ready
Nightgown
I have my own nightgown with me
I always carry it
because I never know where I might stay
Towel?
Towel too
Do you have parents?
Yes, in lbaraki
Why?
When you began working,
what did they say?
They didn'tjust say, go ahead
I'll have my bath
I do this quite often
Goodbye! Oh, I forgot that
Regards!
Haven't installed a pipeline yet?
No money
I guess you'd need 40 cows
I'm going back to Tokyo
You're not staying very long
Had a quarrel
I told my old man to sell
the farm and start a drive-in
When I said I'd be the cook there,
he punched me
That still here?
We went aftergraduation to
a Hokkaido ranch fortraining
We talked about starting
a Danish-type farm together
Just a dream
Guess I'll go
How long to Tokyo?
Fasterthan a train
If you come to Tokyo,
look me up at my Chinese restaurant
Drive carefully
Listen, are you fond of Kayoko?
Not especially
I see Then it's all right Goodbye
Many board meetings
were held about the show
Kayoko's depressed look had me worried
I didn't care too much about the show
It will promote culture
How can we tell if it's a good show?
Miss Kono explained it in detail
Avillage like this is the locale
A musical with young people
who are in love
Land prices rising as factories come in
To sell or not to sell
Enjoyable play Easy to understand
Not interesting at all
I heard you telling Miss Kono
That it was interesting
and you'd like to see it
That was flattery
July is a busy month
Any opinions?
Kikuchi, when will yourgarlic be shipped out?
End ofJuly
It's the time forspraying chemicals
on rice plants
Cucumbers to harvest
It's a bad time
Only firemen are idle
And mailmen
I'll be busy too
Doing what?
Washing fire engines?
Kayoko, you seem depressed
Because Susumu went away?
Why do you say such a thing?
I have a headache
I think I'll go home Good night
We ought to reach a conclusion
How about it, Kikuchi?
It wouldn't be right to do that
when Miss Kono isn't here
She's been so enthusiastic about it
That's right
Then what?
What about you?
Your opinion, Takashi
Give me a little more time
It's late now and so
We'll decided at the next board meeting
That's all fortoday
We very much want to sponsor it
You spoke at ourfirst board meeting
Eversince then, I've been waiting to do it
Do you mean that? I'm glad
But when it comes to
the way of going about it
They all get cold feet
Those men!
What is it?
You sound so severe
What does Takashi think about it?
He seems rather listless these days
Kayoko insists on going to Tokyo
Takashi is fond of Kayoko
Is that what you mean?
What about Kayoko?
She has no intention of marrying a farmer
Quite a problem
Are you in love?
Is it someone I know?
It's hopeless
because he likes someone else
Someone else? Surely you don't mean
It can't be helped
You mustn't say that
Goodbye We'll be waiting for you
I'll do my best
We asked Miss Kono to come
during the rainy season in June
Kayoko was absent
I couldn't help worrying about it
Miss Kono phoned from the station
She'll be here soon
Well?
We've reached a conclusion
So we'll have our president
inform Miss Kono
In what way?
Just that the Matsuo Youth Association
can't cooperate
That's too blunt
Miss Kono is coming all the way
here in this rain
Consider herfeelings
That's right Say it in a nicerway
Forexample?
First of all, we sincerely have the desire
To have the performance in this village
Forthat reason,
we've held many meetings at night
To discuss the matterthoroughly
There are 3 difficult problems
First, the end ofJuly is a busy period
Second, what if a deficit occurs?
Third, how can we tell if it's a good play?
Therefore, although we really
feel sorry for Miss Kono
Our youth association is
unable to cooperate
That's the polite way to say it
Understand?
Of course
Do it well
We all have the feeling of
wanting to do it but
I'm sorry to be late
The train was delayed
Soaking wet!
We could have
And so?
We've talked it over
Everyone sincerely wishes
To have the performance staged
here in some way
Really? I'm very glad
If you all feel that way,
only the method remains
After many nights of discussions,
What are they?
July is a busy time
Then how to take responsibility
forany deficit
No one has seen the play
I understand
The 3 points are logical
Wewe intend to discuss
the 3 points from now
What is it?
Nothing
Any opinions about the first point?
Busy? People are busy all the time
Except in winter
when they go elsewhere to work
If you keep on saying busy,
then you can't do anything
We were back at the beginning
The meeting went on
But no conclusion could be reached
Late at night I drove
Miss Kono to Kayoko's house
Miss Kono wants to stay tonight
I'm imposing on you
Have some tea
Kayoko was absent Is she ill?
Not here?
She's here
She quarreled with
herfather last night and
Staying here tonight
Sorry I was absent
How did it go?
Come to my room
Miss Kono, what do you think?
My daughter insists on
going to Tokyo to work
Do you think she'll be happy?
There you go, crying again
Tears won't alter my decision
You've wanted to go to
Tokyo from before?
I don't want to get married
and live in this village all my life
What!
Takashi is carrying on
his father's work on this village
Yes, but I'd like to go away too if I could
See! That's the dream of all
the young people
Miss Kono quarreled
with her parents too and left
It was when I was about yourage
I said about the same things
you are saying
I quarreled with my parents too
Although I don't think my way
of life was mistaken
I've regretted many things
Some words which I wish I had neversaid
And did I have to go that far?
They bother me
Then what is there for me to do?
Can't I be free?
Be patient!
I'll go to Kayoko's room
Maybe I said too much
Thanks foreverything
Best regards to Miss Kono
Be happy
Kayoko, I love you very much
How many times did I try to say it?
That night I drank heavily in Morioka
All I remember is that I phoned Miss Kono
heard hervoice
Were you awake?
Come down
When I woke up, I didn't know where I was
Sit down Coffee will open youreyes
Recall anything?
I fell down somewhere
What you said?
Not at all
I said something?
They're all doing the same work?
Yes, why?
Why do they laugh so much?
So this is your office
Expected a building?
Not exactly
Toitsu Troupe ov Morioka Office
Can I ask a question?
Are you married?
I was married once but I'm divorced now
I shouldn't
It's all right
I felt then forthe first time
That I wanted their performance
in my village
The general meeting day
From early in the morning
Miss Kono and I called on
every board member
persuading those who were reluctant
The board members were won over
What about the general members?
On going around all day,
I realized one thing
How spacious overvillage is
The meeting began at 8
Only natural, but the general feeling was
That a cD650,000 performance
was reckless
The board meetings' arguments
were repeated
It continued until midnight
Quiet! Be recognized by the chairman first
Isn't there some simplerway
to promote regional culture?
There's no need to pay
so much fora boring performance
What makes you think it's boring?
A performance is bound to be
Have you everseen one?
No, I haven't but
Then how can you tell?
Chuji, have you seen this Toitsu show?
Nope
performance sounds too formal
Just think of it as being a show
Chairman! I'd like to ask the board
This is a big project
Isn't it reckless that
no one has seen the show?
We're trusting Miss Kono
Even if it is uninteresting
Staging a show here
would have significance
Drive to Morioka and see one
We could do that but what about
the old folks who can't go?
Have you ever had your patents
in your car?
Sure
How often?
Once
The main problem is selling
the 650 tickets, isn't it?
How many heard the singing?
As I've told you,
our purpose is not to make money
But don't you live on that income?
We do
Then it's a business
Why do we have to feed them
when we're busy?
Hideki! Aren't you ashamed to
say such a thing?
Miss Kono is doing hervery best
To have you seen an interesting,
enjoyable show
Isn't it properto pay money for it?
CD650,000?
Ask herto reduce the price
It's their business
Can you?
Please understand
We're not selling merchandise
It's not mere buying-selling
This will be yourshow
You're the ones to decide whetherto do it
I'm confident that you can
I know cD650,000 is a big sum for you
But this is the absolute minimum of
what we'll need
It's raining
It's raining heavily Where's Takashi?
As the meeting He'll be late
Can't be helped I'll check the vinyl house
Go to sleep
Chairman!
Do something
This meeting will neverend
It's 2 am We ought to reach a decision
There are many problems remaining but
Everyone's had his say
The final decision depends on
our personal feelings
What about a deficit?
That's a practical problem
Stop it We don't want to rehash that
Now, then, is it all right to vote?
Wait! Before voting,
let's hearfrom our president
Well, Takashi?
The same as everybody else
I'd like to do it but I lack confidence
Miss Kono has done this work
With tens, hundreds of youth groups
If otherassociations have done it?
Why can't we do the same thing?
Has any ofthem suffered a deficit?
Some ofthem have
We might have a deficit too
Why say that?
Let's gamble once
I'm thinking ofthe association's finances
You've always been stingy
Be positive!
Let's vote!
Then we'll vote
Just one thing
If successful, that'll be fine
Even if it fails,
I think it's betterthan not trying
How shall I say it?
Not trying is in itself
an admission of defeat
Ratherthan not to tryby fearing failure
It's betterto tryand fail
Like farming
I'll now call a vote Any objection?
The Toitsu
Chairman!
I must ask one thing
What will our president do
ifthere's a deficit?
That's a question?
Will you answer?
I'll sell my cow and make good
Good for you! Spoken like a man
I'll sell all my cucumbers too
We'll pitch in
Let's all do it!
We'll vote Any objection?
None
Our youth group's
sponsorship ofthis show
Opposed?
Those in favor? Clap your hands
Unanimous approval has
been given to the plan!
The next day
Superintendent Koyanagi hurried over
It's reckless beyond words
The project's too big
forthe youth association Reconsider
It was decided at a general meeting
Even then
Can't you cancel it?
The village will pay the cancellation fee
Brother heard it too
It's fine if all goes well
If it fails, you as president will be blamed
Not only you It will mean
Your motherand me being criticized also
Realize that?
You won't be troubled
Just don't come crying to me afterward
The other members ofthe board
Were reproved also by parents
ortheirsuperiors
The feeling was: No retreat!
On August 2 there will be a performance
Ofthe musical Native village
It's easy to understand
and enjoyable for young and old
Advance tickets are now on sale at
every one ofthe playguides
ltjust had to be successful
Everyone was trying hard
Half a month passed quickly
Not one ofthem has been sold?
How many sold so far?
That's all
No more than 85
Only 10 days before the show
I told you! I opposed this plan
That's not manly
It was decided
to sell the tickets individually
The 1,700 households
were divided into blocs
The youth association is
planning to put on a show
What kind of show?
Musical
It has music and dances
A show that everyone can enjoy
How much?
CD800
A musical with songs and dances
Even an uneducated person
can understand and enjoy it
Too busy Can't go
Buy 2 or 3 ticketsjust to be sociable
High-pressure sale?
What do you mean by that?
It's to promote culture that we're making
House-to-house calls at night
This isn't a money-making proposition
You wouldn't understand
Afterthe daily work,
we visited every house
One call often took much time
Sometimes after 1 or2 hours: No sale
We're publicizing it
every day by wired radio
So I'm sure you know all about it but
Counting the money, making plans
took us until 1 or2 am
I had to be up at 5 am to milk the cows
Only 2 or 3 hours of sleep
This continued fora whole week
Tickets selling?
Not so good?
Miss Kono, I'm sorry,
but won't you cancel the show?
Don't be discouraged3 more days
We'll all try harder
It's a lie Look! Just look at this 850 sold
Why, you rascal! You tried to fool me!
It was funny to see herasjoyful as a child
The final 3 days were like a madhouse
The police and
others have all been notified
Invitations?
The necessary ones have been sent out
Smoking places? Ashtrays?
Borrowing 3 buckets
Where were you?
Calf born
Which?
Male
Good for cD3,000?
Forget anything?
No sleep that night
The day ofthe show dawned
They've arrived!
Matsuo villagers,
the Toitsu Troupe is here
The musical Native village
will be presented
At the high school gym from 6:30 pm
Be sure to come
and see it with all yourfriends
And the actors?
Not here yet?
Takata, the producer
Supervisor Koyanagi
Fire chief is strict
He's coming?
Of course
A No Smoking sign?
This will do
Good evening, everybody
We thank you all for coming
To see our youth association's show
The farming villages ofJapan
have become greatly mechanized
But has the standard of living been raised?
Culturally?
Hurry and eat
s time to make a report on the situation Miss Kono
Members ofthe troupe:
Today is Saturday, August 2
This is Matsuo village
As you saw from the bus,
this is a spacious village
It has a population of 7,500
To the west is the Matsuo sulfur mine
It has closed down
but at one time it had 10,000 workers
The young man who met us in thejeep
That's Chuji He worked at
the mine too aftergraduation
The performance is at 6:30 tonight
This is ourfinal request to everyone
We'll do it! Why be afraid of
cD600,000 orso?
When Chuji said that,
striking a heroic pose, they kept silent
But afterthat objections were raised
Forexample
Can we trust an unknown troupe?
Orsell 800 tickets?
How can we get people to come?
Many board meetings were held
The group's president,
Takashi, is a poortalker
He generally kept silent
and listened to others arguing
But when it finally came to a vote
And his responsibility in case of
a deficit was questioned
He freed his folded arms and said firmly
That in such a case
he would sell his cow and make good!
Be sure not to blunder
in front ofthe people
Hiroshi and I will go at 6
Drive carefully
Shigeru's eyes are bloodshot
He's only slept 2 or 3 hours
Young men keeping cows
have to get up at 5 am
Marvelous to be young!
But that sounds as if I weren't young
Actually, although I'm joking
I may not have been able to face you
luckily I was there
Takashi phoned,
asking me to cancel the show
He would not tell the reason,
saying it was too shameful
Only 2 days left before the show
So I took a taxi and hurried here
What's happened?
Chuji, what is it?
You tell her, Takashi
It would be terrible to halt the show now
What is the reason?
There must be a reason
I want to know
Won't you tell me?
They finally told me
The principal had been away
The vice-principal had
forgotten to tell him
The principal refused permission
Saying the gymnasium could not
be used if admission is taken
I asked again and again for permission
He refused
Insisting that there was no such precedent
Throw a rock at him!
Isn't it?
Ourschool
Let's do it in the open air
I decided to go with them
And beg the principal to
reconsider his decision
I didn't have any special plan in mind
The principal sympathizes
with your position
You could have prevented this
by consulting us
priorto the decision
I made a full report to you the next day
But afterthe decision
I knew nothing until then
I beg of you
please give us permission
I'm sorry
The gymnasium is an educational facility
It can't be used for money making
This is different
Charging admission, aren't you?
Too bad but you'd betterforget about it
May I ask a question?
You say money making
because admission is charged?
Supposing it's free
The gymnasium is usable
ifthere's no charge?
That stands to reason
Then we'll perform free!
But that means that you'll get nothing
For performing in this village
Can't be helped
That sounds absurd
Giving a performance without charge
We're not doing thisjust to make money
performing for people
who will enjoy ourshow
Gives our lives meaning
Afree performance will be
a big blow financially
But this show must be given
Forthe sake ofthose expecting it
And the young people
who have worked so hard
We can't let you do that
You'll be in an awkward position
It's all right
If I explain everything frankly,
they'll understand
Don't worry
I was excited when I said that
Aftergoing outside
I began to wonder how
I was going to report this to you
I was feeling more and more gloomy
Had I made a mistake?
Should I have acted differently?
Everything began to look pitch-dark
Just then
The principal sayshe'll give you
special permission!
What!
Special permission!
Kaneko Kudo
She can outdrink everyone in the group
Still single
Etsuko Onodera, the belle ofthis village
Now the members ofthe troupe
Takata first
I'm the producer, Takata
Miss Kono has told us of yourefforts
We intend to give a show that
will meet yourexpectations
I've a question
When will the actors come?
I'm an actortoo
Most of us are actors
I'm sorry that we're not better looking
They'll look betterwith make-up
Orworse
Temporary Nursery
I'll wait inside
You're from?
Yuzawa
Guide her!
This way, please
My vehicle
Came in a car? There's a parking lot
Where?
Practicing yourspeech?
I'm getting worried
Will those who bought tickets come?
I'm sure they will
I feel more and morejittery
They tell me to take it easy
Shouldn't we go around with
the loudspeaker?
The last time the owner of
a gasoline station
Shouted at me: Shut up!
And the wired radio?
Isn't it about time to send out the bus?
A bit early but shall we start out?
All right, let's go
Be careful
This is the youth association
The bus is on its way to transport
you to the show
Check with the schedule of stops
Hurry, Grandma The bus is here
Get ready
Takashi! What are you doing here?
I'm worried and nowhere else to go
Anyone arrived?
Take a look
We've done it!
Make a good speech
Let's do a goodjob
In that youth group scene
A packed house
A bell will signal the start
When the opening announcement ends
I'll give you the cue
For yourspeech
Tonight the Matsuo Youth Association
is sponsoring
A performance by
the Toitsu Theatrical Troupe
The president ofthe youth association
Takashi Saito will delivergreetings
Good eveningeverybody
We thank you all
for coming here tonight
To seeour youth association's show
Ourvillage is very spacious
Nowadays people can go easily
to Morioka forshopping
They can go to Tokyo orOsaka to work
Ortravel in Hokkaido
But they know little about
the village where they were born
While living in the same village
Many people have nevergone
outside their own district
This is the first time forthe people
Ofthe entire village
to gathertogether like this
I feel deeply moved
We thank all those
who made this show possible
Many cooperated,
including village officials
Education Commission and
The principal of
Matsuo Junior High School
The members ofthe fire department too
We thank them all
The Toitsu Troupe's Matsuo Show
will now begin
Native village in 3 acts
Written by Katsuhiko Ishizuka
Music by Kyoko Okada
Native village, native village
Our dear native village
swallows in the zelkova treetops
sunny spots and pools
of water in the yard
Why aren't the birds of passage returning?
What does it mean to you?
Mountainswith flowers everywhere
Riverswith pussy willows growing
Windblowing through
yellow barley fields
power lines and fields of barley
The morning wind blowing
from the southeast
Rice-planting hasn't ended yet!
Lmotaro!
Festival? Old folks? Nostalgia
That's right
Remember, this may be the last festival
Many have gone to work on that project
Young people don't go to shrines nowadays
Speak that way to the teacher?
We turn our backs toward him
Such impertinence! It's terrible
poorteacher!
When I was young,
we had discipline in the home
But now!
How is it now? Topsy-turvy!
That's how everything is
The father rides on a bicycle,
his sons drive cars
It's the generation gap, Father
Born to be unlucky That's you, Father
How is it now? Topsy-turvy!
That's how everything is
The father has to do
his best to please his children
This won't do
The father is the head ofthe household!
So it was a long time ago, Father
To be respected is a burden
if strength is lacking, Father
They're all happy
Which scene now?
The girl Mugiko and that fellow
just back from Tokyo
Yoshitaka
They're going somewhere
Sweethearts?
Yoshitaka really loves Mugiko's sister
It's unrequited love for Mugiko
But Hideki loves her
The pigkeeper? He's a good actor
I want to see it
Mugiko! Why have you fallen
for Yoshitaka?
A clevertalker Wears Tokyo clothes
But a man's worth lies elsewhere
It's his heart! His affection!
Can't be helped
I don't have money
My house is like a pigpen
The truck I drive is small and smelly
I toil in the mud
How can I expect to be loved by a girl?
It's asking too much
There must be 1 or2 out there
just like me
Right here!
After Mother's death, I only talk to pigs
Hardly everto people
pigs don't cheat me
Raising pigs isn't easy
Feed prices are up
What's going to happen to farmers?
When the sun is setting,
the mountain is silent
presenting differentviews
You intend to keep on farming?
They are being denuded,
torn up without mercy
The paddies and vegetable fields
that were once so green
It pierces my body through and through
The engine ofthe bulldozer
ov the sound it makes
Oh, mountain soaring, soaring so high
In the dazzling light ofthe sun
You must be weeping to see
the changes taking place
The mountain is grand,
the mountain is gentle
The mountain remains the same;
it is always constant
The mountain is our native home
to which we always turn
Sunset mountain and Ineko have changed
There's nothing to keep me here
I'll go back to Tokyo
Ineko, be happy!
When you marry
Who told you that I was getting married?
To a prefectural assemblyman, I was told
What are you saying?
That's utter nonsense
It's not true?
Of course not Don't be foolish
I'm so glad to hearthat
Splendid mountain!
Summer orwinter
It's always grand!
In the concretejungle ofthe big city
Where people appearso small
What I wanted was the wind
That I could breathe to my heart's content
The wind blowing from
beyond the leaden skies
The wind blowing from
the sunset mountain that I love
The wind blowing from
the sunset mountain
Forthat is where you live
Back in the village
where the people seem lonely
What I want is the wind
That I can breathe to my heart's content
Farming is all that Father
and I are good for
If we sell the land
ov but you've already sold it
Afarmerwithout land!
Why they try to make us stop farming?
Father, why did you sell?
Farming ov what does it get you?
Work until you back is bent
Then a poor harvest
During times of good harvest,
prices decline
That's right Good harvest and be poor
And yet
The soil absorbs fertilizerand the sun,
rain and wind
The soil is alive
Cultivatorengine
lts vibration enters
and pulsates with the heart
The waves that
form behind the cultivator
New furrows made
as faras the eye can see
In spring all the seeds awaken
and turn into buds
Togetherwith the May wind
Togetherwith the June rain
Togetherwith the scorching summersun
Togetherwith the farmers' sweat
All that is transformed
into heavy ears of rice
Blessed ears of rice that extend on and on
We've let ourfields and cows go
What are we to do now?
At the breakfast table,
spinach with soy sauce
Such tough spinach! It's fit only for cattle
At the luncheon table,
only eggplants and string beans
Eggplants lack phosphate
pick string beans earlier
No meat in the rice curry
Nothing but potatoes
The potatoes from the field
back ofthe shrine taste very good
Afteran evening shower,
we rush out ofthe house to look
Look at what?
You don't have any land left
You don't fool me
I'll take care of lmotaro and Nanako
A love match We don't need help
They think nothing of living together
Both in summer
And in winter
Oh, mountain in the sunset
There it is, almost in our backyard
Yoshitaka, play the flute
What are we to do now?
We won't be hearing
this music much longer
The villagers are scattering
Thank you very much!
Yourwarm laughterand
applause have encouraged us
We have done ourvery best
Great efforts have been made
By Matsuo Youth Association
members to achieve this success
We are deeply grateful
We intend to study harder
and prepare an enjoyable play
So that we can come again
to this fine village
Keep in good health!
Thank you once again!
Chuji, can't you see her yet?
What happened?
I left the money behind at the hall
Such carelessness!
Sad moment
I always hate this
A Matsuo souvenir
We were in the black
So we discussed what to
give you as a present
Your bag ov it looks somewhat
worn out and so
If you like this, please use it
Looks countrified
Not at all
person using it is so nice
When I first came to this station,
it was mid-March
I was amazed to see so much snow
And so few people
I walked in the snow, met Takashi
He seemed so remote
I doubted whethera show
could be given here
I've been engaged in
this work a long time
One never knows until
it is actually tried out
Yourstrength,
your potentialities are really marvelous
I've learned another lesson
Thank you!
Say something, Takashi
Well, I didn't have to sell my cow
When I first met you,
it sounded like an impossible dream
We can never do it That's what I thought
Even now, I can't understand
how we were everable to do it
But I feel, in all sincerity,
that it was good that we did
Many things happened
So many things
You'd betterget on
Thanks, everyone!
Come again
Let's go hiking
The tape!
Keep healthy!
Do your best!
Letterfrom Matsuo Send it to Hokkaido
Miss Kono: How are you?
Two months have passed already
Autumn in Matsuo
Thank you for your letter
We're all happy to know that
you're thinking of us
It's harvest time now
The busiest period ofthe year
My brother, motherand
I are working hard every day
During the past few days
Aiko has been coming to help
We often talk about
how we prepared forthe show
We were so frantic It seems strange now
We hope that we can be
that enthusiastic again
Maybe that's what happiness
in life consists of
Aiko keeps on telling me that
I'll see you next month again
THE END
Aftera snowfall rare forspring
Ourvillage, Matsuo, is in lwate prefecture
One hour by train from Morioka
Then 20 minutes by bus
Wait a moment
Miss Kono is with the Toitsu Troupe
She visits different districts
where the troupe might perform
Hideko Kono, Toitsu Theatrical Troupe
The superintendent told herwhere I lived
She decided to walk all the way
This was most surprising
It would take a man one hour
to coverthe distance
In Miss Kono's case,
she probably plodded along
Singing merrily along that hilly road
Takashi's back
Are you the group's leader?
The village office phoned about me
She's been waiting for you for one hour
I called the doctor Difficult delivery
Birth expected tonight
A birth? Then you're going to be busy
If a female
The first child could well be a boy
We'd sell a male for cD3,000
cD3,000!
It's our cow She's giving birth
I thought it was yourwife
I'm not married yet
I'm Hideko Kono ofthe Toitsu Troupe
I'm Takashi
From Tokyo?
This milk is fresh from this morning
It looks good
Do you know Kichijoji?
It's near our headquarters
About 15 minutes by train
Is there someone?
My niece lives there
Married a man named Murakami
The house is in Midori-cho
Tokyo's too big a city
There'll be a birth there soon
Keeping a cow?
Why, no, this is a human baby
Can't keep a cow in Tokyo
By then it was time forthe last bus
Miss Kono summed up
her request and left hurriedly
I'll phone in April
She wanted to bring a show here
And asked for our
youth group's cooperation
The idea was both sudden and startling
Our house seldom
has visitors during wintertime
A charming person had come,
laughed, and left
Kayoko
Why, Susumu! What are you doing here?
I returned on vacation
Why?
I wanted to see you
Brought your mail
Same oldjob?
Did you get fired?
This is a vacation
Tokyo has spruced you up
Why don't you come to
our board meeting tonight?
Who's the president?
Takashi
Takashi? How did he become
the president?
No one wants to be
Those gone out to work returned
A meeting was held
A cook?
In Kabuki-cho
Where abouts?
Near Koma?
Know the place?
That was when I was in love
with Kayoko
Let's proceed
The final item
I'd better leave
Stay until the end
Then we'll drink
Let me introduce the guest
From the Toichi Troupe
Toitsu
Hideko Kono ofToitsu
I'm glad to meet you
The purpose of hervisit is
to have a play staged here
She wants us to sponsora musical
called Native village
Right?
What kind of a play
Didn't ljust tell you?
Native village
A musical that the young
and old can enjoy
Who are the stars?
Not mentioned here
Who are the leading actors?
Ourtroupe isn't that famous
It doesn't appear on Tv
We have no famous stars
No Sophia Loren
Any opinions?
How about Kikuchi?
I've nothing to say
I think it's a good idea to
have a play performed here
What must we do?
Takashi said for
our youth association to sponsor it
What does that mean?
Miss Kono explained it to me
Supporting the performance
in ourvillage
Means accepting responsibility
Responsibility?
In case there's a deficit
Deficit?
But why?
It costs money to put on a play
Must we pay for it?
If we sponsor it
Our youth association will sell tickets
I understand
This group will pay money
to buy the performance
A deal?
How much?
Miss Kono says the troupe's
performance fee is cD450,000
That isn't all, is it, Aiko?
Lodging expenses forthe troupe's
Then posters, circulars, tickets
and so oncD200,000
Total: CD650,000
For one show?
CD650,000 for one night
Can ourgroup assume the responsibility?
Any opinions?
I don't see how we could ever do it
I thought it would be around cD20,000
May I say a few words?
Chujijust said that he thought
it would costs about cD20,000
We'd like to do it forthat, if it's possible
Butjust think a moment
Sets, props, lighting
and sound equipment
To entertain the audience with songs
and dances for 3 hours
What we earn as living expenses
comes to less than cD200,000
Nor is that every day
Only about 8 performances in one year
That's what ourtroupe is living on
The show is expensive
Meanwhile, utilities charges are going up
We'd like to do it for less
but this is the bare minimum
We're not doing this forthe money
We love the theater
We want people to see our performance
A large number of people
gatherto laugh and cry together
They talk about it a long time afterward
That's the kind of experience
we want to create
This is last year's ticket from Nagano
cD800
Even at cD1,000,
you would need to sell 650 tickets
In orderto raise cD650,000
That won't be easy It will be difficult
But don't give up too easily
That can be done at any time
please considerthe idea carefully
Any opinions?
Something, Chuji?
Why not do it?
Come to my place
Welcome Susumu
The last train has left
The train for Morioka?
Is there an inn here?
Well, there is butKayoko!
Can you put up Miss Kono forthe night?
I was wondering what she'd do
Sure, she can stay
I'd be troubling you too much
Her house is big
Dirty too
Yes, but
Going to Chuji's place, Kayoko?
Let's all go
Shall we?
In my car
Nice drive-in
Modeled it aftera place
in Ueno where I once worked
I thought it had a Tokyo atmosphere
Handsome bartender
Are you staying in Morioka at an inn?
Rented a house for our office
visit us sometime
Living alone?
There are five of us
We visit different youth groups
Been doing it long?
About 10 years
Revealing my age
Our youth group lacks strength
It's shameful
but we've never done anything worthwhile
With such a leader
Why you!
Tetsuyafarmer?
Public servant
postal worker
Chuji, tell herabout him That story
What?
You see, he wrote a love letter
to a certain girl
What happened?
Mailed it, then had to deliver it himself
It was part of my work
The girl wrote a letter of rejection
Which he then delivered to his own house
Let's be friendly
I'll prepare some food Dance, everybody
Will you dance with me?
Great, Tetsuya!
What about Tokyo?
Takashi, when are you going to
start work on that field?
That field's no good
Carrots look promising
Last year's garlic was a big loss
The same thing with cabbage 2 years ago
So what?
Hopeless
Sit there
Do you intend to be a farmer or not?
Which is it?
I told you on New Year's
I'm not forcing it on you
If you're unwilling,
I'll quit my factoryjob
The important thing is for you
to make up your mind
Do you or don't you want to be a farmer?
Despite what you say,
you're forcing me into it
Is that so? Then quit!
I'll give you money
Leave tomorrow forSendai! OrTokyo!
You shouldn't say that
Mother, you pamper him
He's tired from the meeting
president ofthe youth group, eh?
Can't farm decently
What a president!
Not my desire
Then quit!
I will!
After ourfather's death
My brotherworked hard
to send me to school
I'm fully aware ofthat
Three years have passed since
Brother's wife died
Hasn't remarried
It's hard fora widowerwith two children
To find a bride who'll live on a farm
It's a painful situation for Brother
I can understand how he feels
You worked forawhile in Tokyo?
When was it?
After high school
Forabout 2 years
Where?
A small but nice boutique
I wanted to stay there
but Father kept telling me to return
Worried?
Ourfamily has only girls
He wants me to marry an adopted son
I've made the bed
Thank you
Bath is ready
Nightgown
I have my own nightgown with me
I always carry it
because I never know where I might stay
Towel?
Towel too
Do you have parents?
Yes, in lbaraki
Why?
When you began working,
what did they say?
They didn'tjust say, go ahead
I'll have my bath
I do this quite often
Goodbye! Oh, I forgot that
Regards!
Haven't installed a pipeline yet?
No money
I guess you'd need 40 cows
I'm going back to Tokyo
You're not staying very long
Had a quarrel
I told my old man to sell
the farm and start a drive-in
When I said I'd be the cook there,
he punched me
That still here?
We went aftergraduation to
a Hokkaido ranch fortraining
We talked about starting
a Danish-type farm together
Just a dream
Guess I'll go
How long to Tokyo?
Fasterthan a train
If you come to Tokyo,
look me up at my Chinese restaurant
Drive carefully
Listen, are you fond of Kayoko?
Not especially
I see Then it's all right Goodbye
Many board meetings
were held about the show
Kayoko's depressed look had me worried
I didn't care too much about the show
It will promote culture
How can we tell if it's a good show?
Miss Kono explained it in detail
Avillage like this is the locale
A musical with young people
who are in love
Land prices rising as factories come in
To sell or not to sell
Enjoyable play Easy to understand
Not interesting at all
I heard you telling Miss Kono
That it was interesting
and you'd like to see it
That was flattery
July is a busy month
Any opinions?
Kikuchi, when will yourgarlic be shipped out?
End ofJuly
It's the time forspraying chemicals
on rice plants
Cucumbers to harvest
It's a bad time
Only firemen are idle
And mailmen
I'll be busy too
Doing what?
Washing fire engines?
Kayoko, you seem depressed
Because Susumu went away?
Why do you say such a thing?
I have a headache
I think I'll go home Good night
We ought to reach a conclusion
How about it, Kikuchi?
It wouldn't be right to do that
when Miss Kono isn't here
She's been so enthusiastic about it
That's right
Then what?
What about you?
Your opinion, Takashi
Give me a little more time
It's late now and so
We'll decided at the next board meeting
That's all fortoday
We very much want to sponsor it
You spoke at ourfirst board meeting
Eversince then, I've been waiting to do it
Do you mean that? I'm glad
But when it comes to
the way of going about it
They all get cold feet
Those men!
What is it?
You sound so severe
What does Takashi think about it?
He seems rather listless these days
Kayoko insists on going to Tokyo
Takashi is fond of Kayoko
Is that what you mean?
What about Kayoko?
She has no intention of marrying a farmer
Quite a problem
Are you in love?
Is it someone I know?
It's hopeless
because he likes someone else
Someone else? Surely you don't mean
It can't be helped
You mustn't say that
Goodbye We'll be waiting for you
I'll do my best
We asked Miss Kono to come
during the rainy season in June
Kayoko was absent
I couldn't help worrying about it
Miss Kono phoned from the station
She'll be here soon
Well?
We've reached a conclusion
So we'll have our president
inform Miss Kono
In what way?
Just that the Matsuo Youth Association
can't cooperate
That's too blunt
Miss Kono is coming all the way
here in this rain
Consider herfeelings
That's right Say it in a nicerway
Forexample?
First of all, we sincerely have the desire
To have the performance in this village
Forthat reason,
we've held many meetings at night
To discuss the matterthoroughly
There are 3 difficult problems
First, the end ofJuly is a busy period
Second, what if a deficit occurs?
Third, how can we tell if it's a good play?
Therefore, although we really
feel sorry for Miss Kono
Our youth association is
unable to cooperate
That's the polite way to say it
Understand?
Of course
Do it well
We all have the feeling of
wanting to do it but
I'm sorry to be late
The train was delayed
Soaking wet!
We could have
And so?
We've talked it over
Everyone sincerely wishes
To have the performance staged
here in some way
Really? I'm very glad
If you all feel that way,
only the method remains
After many nights of discussions,
What are they?
July is a busy time
Then how to take responsibility
forany deficit
No one has seen the play
I understand
The 3 points are logical
Wewe intend to discuss
the 3 points from now
What is it?
Nothing
Any opinions about the first point?
Busy? People are busy all the time
Except in winter
when they go elsewhere to work
If you keep on saying busy,
then you can't do anything
We were back at the beginning
The meeting went on
But no conclusion could be reached
Late at night I drove
Miss Kono to Kayoko's house
Miss Kono wants to stay tonight
I'm imposing on you
Have some tea
Kayoko was absent Is she ill?
Not here?
She's here
She quarreled with
herfather last night and
Staying here tonight
Sorry I was absent
How did it go?
Come to my room
Miss Kono, what do you think?
My daughter insists on
going to Tokyo to work
Do you think she'll be happy?
There you go, crying again
Tears won't alter my decision
You've wanted to go to
Tokyo from before?
I don't want to get married
and live in this village all my life
What!
Takashi is carrying on
his father's work on this village
Yes, but I'd like to go away too if I could
See! That's the dream of all
the young people
Miss Kono quarreled
with her parents too and left
It was when I was about yourage
I said about the same things
you are saying
I quarreled with my parents too
Although I don't think my way
of life was mistaken
I've regretted many things
Some words which I wish I had neversaid
And did I have to go that far?
They bother me
Then what is there for me to do?
Can't I be free?
Be patient!
I'll go to Kayoko's room
Maybe I said too much
Thanks foreverything
Best regards to Miss Kono
Be happy
Kayoko, I love you very much
How many times did I try to say it?
That night I drank heavily in Morioka
All I remember is that I phoned Miss Kono
heard hervoice
Were you awake?
Come down
When I woke up, I didn't know where I was
Sit down Coffee will open youreyes
Recall anything?
I fell down somewhere
What you said?
Not at all
I said something?
They're all doing the same work?
Yes, why?
Why do they laugh so much?
So this is your office
Expected a building?
Not exactly
Toitsu Troupe ov Morioka Office
Can I ask a question?
Are you married?
I was married once but I'm divorced now
I shouldn't
It's all right
I felt then forthe first time
That I wanted their performance
in my village
The general meeting day
From early in the morning
Miss Kono and I called on
every board member
persuading those who were reluctant
The board members were won over
What about the general members?
On going around all day,
I realized one thing
How spacious overvillage is
The meeting began at 8
Only natural, but the general feeling was
That a cD650,000 performance
was reckless
The board meetings' arguments
were repeated
It continued until midnight
Quiet! Be recognized by the chairman first
Isn't there some simplerway
to promote regional culture?
There's no need to pay
so much fora boring performance
What makes you think it's boring?
A performance is bound to be
Have you everseen one?
No, I haven't but
Then how can you tell?
Chuji, have you seen this Toitsu show?
Nope
performance sounds too formal
Just think of it as being a show
Chairman! I'd like to ask the board
This is a big project
Isn't it reckless that
no one has seen the show?
We're trusting Miss Kono
Even if it is uninteresting
Staging a show here
would have significance
Drive to Morioka and see one
We could do that but what about
the old folks who can't go?
Have you ever had your patents
in your car?
Sure
How often?
Once
The main problem is selling
the 650 tickets, isn't it?
How many heard the singing?
As I've told you,
our purpose is not to make money
But don't you live on that income?
We do
Then it's a business
Why do we have to feed them
when we're busy?
Hideki! Aren't you ashamed to
say such a thing?
Miss Kono is doing hervery best
To have you seen an interesting,
enjoyable show
Isn't it properto pay money for it?
CD650,000?
Ask herto reduce the price
It's their business
Can you?
Please understand
We're not selling merchandise
It's not mere buying-selling
This will be yourshow
You're the ones to decide whetherto do it
I'm confident that you can
I know cD650,000 is a big sum for you
But this is the absolute minimum of
what we'll need
It's raining
It's raining heavily Where's Takashi?
As the meeting He'll be late
Can't be helped I'll check the vinyl house
Go to sleep
Chairman!
Do something
This meeting will neverend
It's 2 am We ought to reach a decision
There are many problems remaining but
Everyone's had his say
The final decision depends on
our personal feelings
What about a deficit?
That's a practical problem
Stop it We don't want to rehash that
Now, then, is it all right to vote?
Wait! Before voting,
let's hearfrom our president
Well, Takashi?
The same as everybody else
I'd like to do it but I lack confidence
Miss Kono has done this work
With tens, hundreds of youth groups
If otherassociations have done it?
Why can't we do the same thing?
Has any ofthem suffered a deficit?
Some ofthem have
We might have a deficit too
Why say that?
Let's gamble once
I'm thinking ofthe association's finances
You've always been stingy
Be positive!
Let's vote!
Then we'll vote
Just one thing
If successful, that'll be fine
Even if it fails,
I think it's betterthan not trying
How shall I say it?
Not trying is in itself
an admission of defeat
Ratherthan not to tryby fearing failure
It's betterto tryand fail
Like farming
I'll now call a vote Any objection?
The Toitsu
Chairman!
I must ask one thing
What will our president do
ifthere's a deficit?
That's a question?
Will you answer?
I'll sell my cow and make good
Good for you! Spoken like a man
I'll sell all my cucumbers too
We'll pitch in
Let's all do it!
We'll vote Any objection?
None
Our youth group's
sponsorship ofthis show
Opposed?
Those in favor? Clap your hands
Unanimous approval has
been given to the plan!
The next day
Superintendent Koyanagi hurried over
It's reckless beyond words
The project's too big
forthe youth association Reconsider
It was decided at a general meeting
Even then
Can't you cancel it?
The village will pay the cancellation fee
Brother heard it too
It's fine if all goes well
If it fails, you as president will be blamed
Not only you It will mean
Your motherand me being criticized also
Realize that?
You won't be troubled
Just don't come crying to me afterward
The other members ofthe board
Were reproved also by parents
ortheirsuperiors
The feeling was: No retreat!
On August 2 there will be a performance
Ofthe musical Native village
It's easy to understand
and enjoyable for young and old
Advance tickets are now on sale at
every one ofthe playguides
ltjust had to be successful
Everyone was trying hard
Half a month passed quickly
Not one ofthem has been sold?
How many sold so far?
That's all
No more than 85
Only 10 days before the show
I told you! I opposed this plan
That's not manly
It was decided
to sell the tickets individually
The 1,700 households
were divided into blocs
The youth association is
planning to put on a show
What kind of show?
Musical
It has music and dances
A show that everyone can enjoy
How much?
CD800
A musical with songs and dances
Even an uneducated person
can understand and enjoy it
Too busy Can't go
Buy 2 or 3 ticketsjust to be sociable
High-pressure sale?
What do you mean by that?
It's to promote culture that we're making
House-to-house calls at night
This isn't a money-making proposition
You wouldn't understand
Afterthe daily work,
we visited every house
One call often took much time
Sometimes after 1 or2 hours: No sale
We're publicizing it
every day by wired radio
So I'm sure you know all about it but
Counting the money, making plans
took us until 1 or2 am
I had to be up at 5 am to milk the cows
Only 2 or 3 hours of sleep
This continued fora whole week
Tickets selling?
Not so good?
Miss Kono, I'm sorry,
but won't you cancel the show?
Don't be discouraged3 more days
We'll all try harder
It's a lie Look! Just look at this 850 sold
Why, you rascal! You tried to fool me!
It was funny to see herasjoyful as a child
The final 3 days were like a madhouse
The police and
others have all been notified
Invitations?
The necessary ones have been sent out
Smoking places? Ashtrays?
Borrowing 3 buckets
Where were you?
Calf born
Which?
Male
Good for cD3,000?
Forget anything?
No sleep that night
The day ofthe show dawned
They've arrived!
Matsuo villagers,
the Toitsu Troupe is here
The musical Native village
will be presented
At the high school gym from 6:30 pm
Be sure to come
and see it with all yourfriends
And the actors?
Not here yet?
Takata, the producer
Supervisor Koyanagi
Fire chief is strict
He's coming?
Of course
A No Smoking sign?
This will do
Good evening, everybody
We thank you all for coming
To see our youth association's show
The farming villages ofJapan
have become greatly mechanized
But has the standard of living been raised?
Culturally?
Hurry and eat
s time to make a report on the situation Miss Kono
Members ofthe troupe:
Today is Saturday, August 2
This is Matsuo village
As you saw from the bus,
this is a spacious village
It has a population of 7,500
To the west is the Matsuo sulfur mine
It has closed down
but at one time it had 10,000 workers
The young man who met us in thejeep
That's Chuji He worked at
the mine too aftergraduation
The performance is at 6:30 tonight
This is ourfinal request to everyone
We'll do it! Why be afraid of
cD600,000 orso?
When Chuji said that,
striking a heroic pose, they kept silent
But afterthat objections were raised
Forexample
Can we trust an unknown troupe?
Orsell 800 tickets?
How can we get people to come?
Many board meetings were held
The group's president,
Takashi, is a poortalker
He generally kept silent
and listened to others arguing
But when it finally came to a vote
And his responsibility in case of
a deficit was questioned
He freed his folded arms and said firmly
That in such a case
he would sell his cow and make good!
Be sure not to blunder
in front ofthe people
Hiroshi and I will go at 6
Drive carefully
Shigeru's eyes are bloodshot
He's only slept 2 or 3 hours
Young men keeping cows
have to get up at 5 am
Marvelous to be young!
But that sounds as if I weren't young
Actually, although I'm joking
I may not have been able to face you
luckily I was there
Takashi phoned,
asking me to cancel the show
He would not tell the reason,
saying it was too shameful
Only 2 days left before the show
So I took a taxi and hurried here
What's happened?
Chuji, what is it?
You tell her, Takashi
It would be terrible to halt the show now
What is the reason?
There must be a reason
I want to know
Won't you tell me?
They finally told me
The principal had been away
The vice-principal had
forgotten to tell him
The principal refused permission
Saying the gymnasium could not
be used if admission is taken
I asked again and again for permission
He refused
Insisting that there was no such precedent
Throw a rock at him!
Isn't it?
Ourschool
Let's do it in the open air
I decided to go with them
And beg the principal to
reconsider his decision
I didn't have any special plan in mind
The principal sympathizes
with your position
You could have prevented this
by consulting us
priorto the decision
I made a full report to you the next day
But afterthe decision
I knew nothing until then
I beg of you
please give us permission
I'm sorry
The gymnasium is an educational facility
It can't be used for money making
This is different
Charging admission, aren't you?
Too bad but you'd betterforget about it
May I ask a question?
You say money making
because admission is charged?
Supposing it's free
The gymnasium is usable
ifthere's no charge?
That stands to reason
Then we'll perform free!
But that means that you'll get nothing
For performing in this village
Can't be helped
That sounds absurd
Giving a performance without charge
We're not doing thisjust to make money
performing for people
who will enjoy ourshow
Gives our lives meaning
Afree performance will be
a big blow financially
But this show must be given
Forthe sake ofthose expecting it
And the young people
who have worked so hard
We can't let you do that
You'll be in an awkward position
It's all right
If I explain everything frankly,
they'll understand
Don't worry
I was excited when I said that
Aftergoing outside
I began to wonder how
I was going to report this to you
I was feeling more and more gloomy
Had I made a mistake?
Should I have acted differently?
Everything began to look pitch-dark
Just then
The principal sayshe'll give you
special permission!
What!
Special permission!
Kaneko Kudo
She can outdrink everyone in the group
Still single
Etsuko Onodera, the belle ofthis village
Now the members ofthe troupe
Takata first
I'm the producer, Takata
Miss Kono has told us of yourefforts
We intend to give a show that
will meet yourexpectations
I've a question
When will the actors come?
I'm an actortoo
Most of us are actors
I'm sorry that we're not better looking
They'll look betterwith make-up
Orworse
Temporary Nursery
I'll wait inside
You're from?
Yuzawa
Guide her!
This way, please
My vehicle
Came in a car? There's a parking lot
Where?
Practicing yourspeech?
I'm getting worried
Will those who bought tickets come?
I'm sure they will
I feel more and morejittery
They tell me to take it easy
Shouldn't we go around with
the loudspeaker?
The last time the owner of
a gasoline station
Shouted at me: Shut up!
And the wired radio?
Isn't it about time to send out the bus?
A bit early but shall we start out?
All right, let's go
Be careful
This is the youth association
The bus is on its way to transport
you to the show
Check with the schedule of stops
Hurry, Grandma The bus is here
Get ready
Takashi! What are you doing here?
I'm worried and nowhere else to go
Anyone arrived?
Take a look
We've done it!
Make a good speech
Let's do a goodjob
In that youth group scene
A packed house
A bell will signal the start
When the opening announcement ends
I'll give you the cue
For yourspeech
Tonight the Matsuo Youth Association
is sponsoring
A performance by
the Toitsu Theatrical Troupe
The president ofthe youth association
Takashi Saito will delivergreetings
Good eveningeverybody
We thank you all
for coming here tonight
To seeour youth association's show
Ourvillage is very spacious
Nowadays people can go easily
to Morioka forshopping
They can go to Tokyo orOsaka to work
Ortravel in Hokkaido
But they know little about
the village where they were born
While living in the same village
Many people have nevergone
outside their own district
This is the first time forthe people
Ofthe entire village
to gathertogether like this
I feel deeply moved
We thank all those
who made this show possible
Many cooperated,
including village officials
Education Commission and
The principal of
Matsuo Junior High School
The members ofthe fire department too
We thank them all
The Toitsu Troupe's Matsuo Show
will now begin
Native village in 3 acts
Written by Katsuhiko Ishizuka
Music by Kyoko Okada
Native village, native village
Our dear native village
swallows in the zelkova treetops
sunny spots and pools
of water in the yard
Why aren't the birds of passage returning?
What does it mean to you?
Mountainswith flowers everywhere
Riverswith pussy willows growing
Windblowing through
yellow barley fields
power lines and fields of barley
The morning wind blowing
from the southeast
Rice-planting hasn't ended yet!
Lmotaro!
Festival? Old folks? Nostalgia
That's right
Remember, this may be the last festival
Many have gone to work on that project
Young people don't go to shrines nowadays
Speak that way to the teacher?
We turn our backs toward him
Such impertinence! It's terrible
poorteacher!
When I was young,
we had discipline in the home
But now!
How is it now? Topsy-turvy!
That's how everything is
The father rides on a bicycle,
his sons drive cars
It's the generation gap, Father
Born to be unlucky That's you, Father
How is it now? Topsy-turvy!
That's how everything is
The father has to do
his best to please his children
This won't do
The father is the head ofthe household!
So it was a long time ago, Father
To be respected is a burden
if strength is lacking, Father
They're all happy
Which scene now?
The girl Mugiko and that fellow
just back from Tokyo
Yoshitaka
They're going somewhere
Sweethearts?
Yoshitaka really loves Mugiko's sister
It's unrequited love for Mugiko
But Hideki loves her
The pigkeeper? He's a good actor
I want to see it
Mugiko! Why have you fallen
for Yoshitaka?
A clevertalker Wears Tokyo clothes
But a man's worth lies elsewhere
It's his heart! His affection!
Can't be helped
I don't have money
My house is like a pigpen
The truck I drive is small and smelly
I toil in the mud
How can I expect to be loved by a girl?
It's asking too much
There must be 1 or2 out there
just like me
Right here!
After Mother's death, I only talk to pigs
Hardly everto people
pigs don't cheat me
Raising pigs isn't easy
Feed prices are up
What's going to happen to farmers?
When the sun is setting,
the mountain is silent
presenting differentviews
You intend to keep on farming?
They are being denuded,
torn up without mercy
The paddies and vegetable fields
that were once so green
It pierces my body through and through
The engine ofthe bulldozer
ov the sound it makes
Oh, mountain soaring, soaring so high
In the dazzling light ofthe sun
You must be weeping to see
the changes taking place
The mountain is grand,
the mountain is gentle
The mountain remains the same;
it is always constant
The mountain is our native home
to which we always turn
Sunset mountain and Ineko have changed
There's nothing to keep me here
I'll go back to Tokyo
Ineko, be happy!
When you marry
Who told you that I was getting married?
To a prefectural assemblyman, I was told
What are you saying?
That's utter nonsense
It's not true?
Of course not Don't be foolish
I'm so glad to hearthat
Splendid mountain!
Summer orwinter
It's always grand!
In the concretejungle ofthe big city
Where people appearso small
What I wanted was the wind
That I could breathe to my heart's content
The wind blowing from
beyond the leaden skies
The wind blowing from
the sunset mountain that I love
The wind blowing from
the sunset mountain
Forthat is where you live
Back in the village
where the people seem lonely
What I want is the wind
That I can breathe to my heart's content
Farming is all that Father
and I are good for
If we sell the land
ov but you've already sold it
Afarmerwithout land!
Why they try to make us stop farming?
Father, why did you sell?
Farming ov what does it get you?
Work until you back is bent
Then a poor harvest
During times of good harvest,
prices decline
That's right Good harvest and be poor
And yet
The soil absorbs fertilizerand the sun,
rain and wind
The soil is alive
Cultivatorengine
lts vibration enters
and pulsates with the heart
The waves that
form behind the cultivator
New furrows made
as faras the eye can see
In spring all the seeds awaken
and turn into buds
Togetherwith the May wind
Togetherwith the June rain
Togetherwith the scorching summersun
Togetherwith the farmers' sweat
All that is transformed
into heavy ears of rice
Blessed ears of rice that extend on and on
We've let ourfields and cows go
What are we to do now?
At the breakfast table,
spinach with soy sauce
Such tough spinach! It's fit only for cattle
At the luncheon table,
only eggplants and string beans
Eggplants lack phosphate
pick string beans earlier
No meat in the rice curry
Nothing but potatoes
The potatoes from the field
back ofthe shrine taste very good
Afteran evening shower,
we rush out ofthe house to look
Look at what?
You don't have any land left
You don't fool me
I'll take care of lmotaro and Nanako
A love match We don't need help
They think nothing of living together
Both in summer
And in winter
Oh, mountain in the sunset
There it is, almost in our backyard
Yoshitaka, play the flute
What are we to do now?
We won't be hearing
this music much longer
The villagers are scattering
Thank you very much!
Yourwarm laughterand
applause have encouraged us
We have done ourvery best
Great efforts have been made
By Matsuo Youth Association
members to achieve this success
We are deeply grateful
We intend to study harder
and prepare an enjoyable play
So that we can come again
to this fine village
Keep in good health!
Thank you once again!
Chuji, can't you see her yet?
What happened?
I left the money behind at the hall
Such carelessness!
Sad moment
I always hate this
A Matsuo souvenir
We were in the black
So we discussed what to
give you as a present
Your bag ov it looks somewhat
worn out and so
If you like this, please use it
Looks countrified
Not at all
person using it is so nice
When I first came to this station,
it was mid-March
I was amazed to see so much snow
And so few people
I walked in the snow, met Takashi
He seemed so remote
I doubted whethera show
could be given here
I've been engaged in
this work a long time
One never knows until
it is actually tried out
Yourstrength,
your potentialities are really marvelous
I've learned another lesson
Thank you!
Say something, Takashi
Well, I didn't have to sell my cow
When I first met you,
it sounded like an impossible dream
We can never do it That's what I thought
Even now, I can't understand
how we were everable to do it
But I feel, in all sincerity,
that it was good that we did
Many things happened
So many things
You'd betterget on
Thanks, everyone!
Come again
Let's go hiking
The tape!
Keep healthy!
Do your best!
Letterfrom Matsuo Send it to Hokkaido
Miss Kono: How are you?
Two months have passed already
Autumn in Matsuo
Thank you for your letter
We're all happy to know that
you're thinking of us
It's harvest time now
The busiest period ofthe year
My brother, motherand
I are working hard every day
During the past few days
Aiko has been coming to help
We often talk about
how we prepared forthe show
We were so frantic It seems strange now
We hope that we can be
that enthusiastic again
Maybe that's what happiness
in life consists of
Aiko keeps on telling me that
I'll see you next month again
THE END