Old Songs (むかしの歌)

A TOHO PRESENTATION

OLD SWEET SONG

Story and Screenplay: Kaoru Morimoto Cinematography: Kazuo Yamazaki

Assistant Directors: Kon Ichikawa, Yurio Takamatsu, Wataru Yanaga

Cast

Ranko Hanai

Jun Fujio Kokuten Kodo Eitaro Shindo Saburo Sawai Kajiya Morino

Kyozo Fuyuki Taizo Fukami Sozaburo Kikuchi Tokiichiro Osaki

Rei Ishikawa Yoshio Yamada

Chieko Ishii Rumi Ejima Hisako Yamane Rikie Sanjo Toshiko Ito

Directed by: Tamizo Ishida

Hyogoya Store

- The boat has arrived! - It's here!

Isn't that you, Sanji?

I thought I could pass quietly, but I was found.

Where have you been? You shouldn't pass my store without a greeting.

- Do you have any reason? - No reason particularly.

But I am not supposed to visit you often.

What did you say?

You're not supposed to come? That's bad.

- Your father told you not to visit us? - No, that's not it.

What is it, then? Don't make me feel uneasy.

Due to my talkative nature, I made a slip of tongue.

But this isn't a matter for you to be concerned about. Don't be mad.

If you tell, I will be blamed.

You're a weird one. All right, come in anyway.

Now, I can't refuse coming in.

How's business?

Well, it's not going good.

Our type of job is doomed.

It's not only yours. The slump is everywhere.

That's not the case for everyone.

Someone like you quickly changed from seed oil to petroleum.

- And got successful that way. - Not really.

The grass is always greener on the other side.

We are just busy without earning.

This depression seems deliberated.

The new government can't do anything about it. I dislike this uneasy world.

There's burning attacks and riots.

If Saigo-han of Satsuma moves to Kyoto and attacks, we will have a terrible time.

Saigo Takamori?

The hairdresser is coming. You want your hair done, don't you?

Omio!

What is it?

I told you already. The hairdresser is visiting you.

Thanks. Sorry for interrupting your practice.

Good day!

Thank you for coming.

It's really good. I have no ear for music, but whenever I hear her shamisen

in front of your store, my feet just stop unconsciously.

No kidding. Stop your flattery already.

No, it is true, ma'am!

Just now, I saw a lady that was listening intently and dreamily.

It makes me worry. She must be possessed by the shamisen spirit.

Don't say such an absurd thing. Right, Miss?

It's true, I don't mind if it's during daytime, but she also starts playing at night.

That always astonishes me.

I guess artistic accomplishment need such enthusiasm?

She's not going to be a performer.

Playing shamisen and singing averagely is enough for her.

Mr. Hairdresser, give her some preaching, will you?

Well...

I have to finish my lesson, so do it quickly.

Yes, Miss.

Satsuma?

It can't be.

But I heard this rumor everywhere.

The rebellion will not be settled without Saigo-han's move.

Well, people are saying...

My, my, Sanji-san, it's been a while since I've seen you.

Hello. Long time no visit.

In fact, I had visited at the end of last month.

Was it? I feel I didn't see you for long.

- Is your father fine? - Yes, he is, thank you.

Okane! Okane!

Don't bother. I'll leave soon.

No, please come in and have some rice with tea.

- Thank you. - Come in.

I was visiting Kuruwa district so I have listened to the songs a lot,

even though I have no ear for music.

But I can say that, even in Shinmachi and Horie, there are less than three people

that are as good as you, Miss.

Mr. Hairdresser, you'll not get anything with your flattering words.

Don't be silly! It's not just flatter since I know you well.

I am too old to attract women with flattering.

But it's a shame. Being an amateur while you're such a talented lady.

Should I go to Shinmachi?

You'd be popular there, I'm sure. You'd make a fortune easily.

I have been in this business for long,

so I am in charge of many heads since they first appeared.

Whenever I see them debuting, I know who will be successful.

You could call it my instinct.

And you think that about me?

I don't trust an hairdresser's instinct.

Don't be silly. You don't know about that.

In Shinmachi, I am more busy finding girls than doing their hairs.

Before hiring a new girl, they say: "show her to Mr. Hairdresser."

Then, if I became a geisha, I'd have to ask about your opinion?

Oh, come on! If the madam heard such a thing, she would be upset.

But I want to do a Icho-gaeshi hairstyle on your head.

Expanding it boldly here.

Have a tea.

Thank you. She has a good straight hair.

That must be helpful for an hairdresser.

- Sanji-san came to visit. - Really?

- For what? - What do you mean "for what"?

All right! Come after you're finished.

No, no! Don't load that way or it'll damage the bottom.

Can't you see it's high tide now?

For how many years are you doing this?

Fool! Pull! Fool!

Yes, like that!

Taizo, you are harsh to them as always.

They heard enough and didn't mind how hard I yelled.

How's business?

Not well. This new system is making me dizzy.

Everyone seems to be talking nonsense and I can't understand anything.

I can't stand a rickshaw in which men and women can sit together.

- Wow, such thing was invented? - See? You're interested now.

Young people nowadays...

What's up with your loosen face?

Maybe you're thinking of riding together with Omio-han.

Calm down, calm down.

You'll succeed the store after the manager is dead.

And then you'll be able to marry Omio-han. Good luck, handsome man!

What are you talking about?

Hi, the weather is great, isn't it?

I was going to my lesson.

All right, you can go.

If you are here, I can't go. Or else, mom will complain.

Are you upset?

Oh, I'm not. But I told you not to come.

I didn't intended to come.

On the way back from Kyomachibori,

your father found me and insisted me to come in.

If you don't listen to me, I won't listen to you either.

Maybe I'll marry Taizo from the store.

Taizo? The manager of this store?

Yes, he is loyal and hardworking.

And he always listens to everything I say.

But your parents would not accept it.

It doesn't matter to me, anyway.

I'm leaving.

You are a scary woman.

Why don't we go for a little walk?

- Leaving so soon? - Yes.

They might need me at home, so I'll visit again.

Please, stay with us. You can have dinner as well.

Sanji-san, you can have your dinner. I will go to my lesson.

You can practice later.

- Let's go. - Yes.

Takuma Kohei

Shino?

Yes, sir?

No need to heat it. Bring it here.

- But it's not cold. - Shut up.

You're taking a long time.

I'm sorry.

You don't have to bother.

- I'm leaving now. - Stay more with us.

What are you going to do?

Haven't you decided yet?

The situation is urgent.

Saigo will do it, no doubt.

This is not the time for Satsuma or the samurai under the shogun.

We poor samurai have no other choice but to join the army under his control.

Even if everything ends unsuccessfully, that will give a good place to die.

I'm thinking of becoming a rickshaw puller.

"Only after hardship do the aspiration get determined."

"A man should die in battle, rather than surrender himself."

Takuma-san, do you understand this poem by Saigo?

Our family has a long family rule: we do not buy assets from our offspring.

Good, see you in Satsuma, then.

- Excuse me. - Are you leaving already, sir?

- Sorry for the inconvenience. - Excuse us, sir.

I wish I had money!

What are you going to do about your lesson?

It's fine, since you're here, we can just walk like this.

That's strange.

Aren't you happy, though?

What do you mean?

What do people think when they see us walking together?

I wonder about that.

They don't know I always get scolded by you.

- That's funny. Come closer. - No way.

- People are watching. - And let them watch.

They envy us!

At home, you're cold as ice, but outdoors you are like a different person.

What a strange woman!

Listen, Sanji-san, aren't you courageous enough to run away with me?

What?

I'm asking you why don't we elope?

Eloping, huh? You shouldn't joke about that.

If we eloped, I wouldn't be able to feed you.

But you are fond of me, aren't you?

Yes, I am, but I can't fill my stomach just by looking at your face.

It would be different if you could feed me smartly, though.

I'm not sure about it. I would like to do it,

but I actually can't.

See? It's an impossible thing.