Spring Bell (春の鐘)

A TOHO PRESENTATION

A Film Produced by Toho

Kinya Kitaoji

Yuko Kotegawa

Akira Nakao Toshiya Fujita

Eiji Okada Ryuzo Tanaka

Kyoko Kishida Tomoko Naraoka

Mariko Kaga Shinsuke Ashida

Yoshiko Mita

SPRING BELL

Producer: Hitoshi Ogura

Exhibition Catalog No. 1.

"Political Envoys with Peony Patterns",

Based on the novel by: Masaki Tachihara

Crane-Necked Bottle, Goryeo Dynasty, 12th Century.

Screenwriter: Koji Takada

It's one of the highlights of the Tokyo exhibition, isn't it?

Cinematography: Akira Shiizuka Art Direction: Yukio Higuchi

Recording: Kenichi Benitani Lighting: Takeshi Awakihara

Assistant Director: Kensho Yamashita Editing: Akira Suzuki

- There are no scratches. - Everything's fine, then?

Music: Joe Hisaishi Production Assistant: Takahide Moritomo

- At your disposal. - Clear.

Directed by: Koreyoshi Kurahara

Saho Museum of Art

Pottery Exhibition: Goryeo Dynasty

This one is so gorgeous.

Both in terms of color and shape, it has a very stylish feel.

Doesn't it seem a bit erotic?

From the slender neck, suddenly drawing a bold line to form a circle,

it looks like a woman's torso.

Say.

Don't you think this neck is slightly bent?

You're right, it is bent.

Is it a coincidence? Or was it done on purpose?

It's a coincidence!

I think it was done on purpose.

A certain novelist,

just like you guys, pondered over the neck of this vase.

And, as a beautiful woman in a kimono walked by right in front of him,

he suddenly turned around and looked at it.

The moment he saw that figure,

the mystery of this splendid crane-necked bottle was solved.

I'm sure the ancient potter

created this, keeping the image of his beloved in his heart.

Chairman Miyake is staying at this hotel.

We'll have a talk later at home.

It seems the exhibition is getting quite a good reputation, right?

We received a courteous greeting from the organizer.

Surprisingly, a lot of young people came to see it.

Looks like the Nara museum specializing in East Asian ceramics

has gathered interest.

Our efforts were not in vain.

Here it is.

Let me have a look.

What's your opinion?

It's an excellent piece.

I think it's from the early period.

This loquat color...

is particularly beautiful.

You don't see this often.

I had never seen an heirloom powdered enamel decanter before,

so, at first, I thought it might be a replica.

Is there such a well-made replica like this?

Say.

Narumi.

I haven't shown any appreciation for your efforts from the construction

of the museum until today,

but would you kindly accept that?

No, but this...

I bought it with that intention from the beginning.

It's better to keep it within reach for a drinker.

Is it okay if I accept it, then?

Yes, take it.

Well then, I'll gratefully accept it.

- Daddy, welcome back. - Hello, father.

I'm home!

Mom, father is back!

I heated your bath.

Up to 40 degrees, just like you love!

I see, you're quite observant.

You must be tired, no?

- Welcome back. - Yeah.

- Hiroko. - What?

- Give me a hand here, please. - Okay.

- Shuhei, open the bag. - Okay.

Oh, steamed cake!

It's so yummy!

Here you go again, saying "yummy". Just say it's delicious!

Shut up, you old hag!

Daddy, scold him.

Save one for Grandma, okay?

Sure!

Dear.

Maybe you should take a bath first?

There's still time until dinner.

Narumi, welcome back.

- You always treat us with delicacies. - Not at all.

How is your husband doing?

I heard his blood pressure is a bit high.

He drinks too much.

I think I'll be called again later tonight.

Hope he gets better.

I'm also getting kendo lessons!

Good grief, it's always tough when you come back home.

Your lesson is tomorrow. Shuhei, let's take a bath together.

- I'll join you later. - Okay!

Since when?

Can you tell me since when?

I'll leave your nightclothes here.

I asked how long have you been with him?

There's no point in lying now.

Since autumn last year.

I will...

sleep downstairs tonight.

Have a good night.

The conversation isn't over yet.

That man.

I often see him on TV.

He's a doctor,

but he's marketing himself as a sex counselor.

Of all the men, you chose the most worthless.

That's right, he's a worthless man.

Sophisticated people like you, who only focus on theory,

might judge a doctor who appears on TV,

and writes books about sex as vulgar, right?

But I feel alive now!

Whether I'm vulgar or not,

I wanted a man who would treat me as a woman!

You only think about your job.

No wonder our house is so empty!

No!

No…

If you want to break up,

please let me know right away.

We're not going to break up.

We can't involve our kids in the ugly squabbles of their parents.

I think they will understand if we have a conversation.

And what do we tell them?

“From this day on, dad and mom are strangers to each other."

"Choose which one you like more?"

Is that the language parents should use with young children?

It's something that happens often in society.

Society is wrong.

Then, what do you propose to do?

Let's stay as we are.

That's nonsense...

I can't do this anymore.

What did you do this past year? You kept deceiving me without caring, right?

I had no choice.

Don't you have a better answer?

I won't blame you if you have to leave the home.

Are you going to insist on that?

What else do you want me to say?

You are like a dirty, wet rag.

You are Tae, right?

Master Rokuheita.

Welcome from a faraway place. We've been waiting for you.

Mr. Ishimoto.

Was that your daughter Tae just now?

You're right, it's Tae.

She has become quite an adult.

I think the last time we met, she was definitely in middle school.

Welcome, master Narumi.

Long time no see.

Madam, you haven't changed a bit.

I received an invitation from Mr. Ishimoto to try the potter's wheel after a long time.

I've just taken a break.

I heard that the exhibition in Tokyo was impressive.

- Congratulations. - Thank you very much.

Is Tae on a homecoming visit?

I heard a rumor that she married a guy from a distillery in Matsusaka.

Tae...

has been divorced.

Due to not fitting in with the family's traditions,

her belongings were unilaterally sent back to us.

That's terrible...

Master Rokuheita.

Could you please employ Tae at your museum?

She doesn't need a salary. We will take care of her living expenses.

Tae remembers you very well.

Today, upon hearing that you were coming,

Tae quietly expressed a wish to work under someone like you, master.

Next month, we'll fire up the kiln, so please look forward to it.

Thank you very much.

Director,

their daughter is so beautiful.

Maybe she might come to our museum.

Is that so?

In any case,

only the masterpieces gathered by two men obsessed with the beauty of pottery,

are on display here.

Needless to say,

they are Chairman Toichiro Miyake of Miyake Industries,

and museum Director Narumi Rokuheita.

Here we have two designated national treasures,

and twelve designated important cultural properties.

This celadon vase is a national treasure

fired in Longquan kilns during the Yuan Dynasty.

When it comes to housing just one young woman in an apartment,