Mampuku (まんぷく)

MORNING DRAMA SERIES

This is Osaka in 1938, year 13 of the Showa era.

The Sino-Japanese War had started the year before.

The economy was booming with the demands of the military.

TASSOKU TAILORING

How about this one?

Wow, this one is nice too!

- Doesn't it look too grown-up for me? - What?

Not at all.

I think you would look good in it, Fukuko.

Where is the material for this…?

It's so nice! But this one is nice too.

Fuku is the main character of this story.

Her full name is Fukuko Imai.

FUKUKO IMAI

After graduating from a girls-only high school,

Fukuko is about to start working at a hotel in Osaka this spring.

This one might be better.

And this is Fuku's older sister, Saki.

FUKUKO'S OLDER SISTER - SAKI IMAI

She works at a jewelry store, Hosendo, in Shinsaibashi.

It doesn't have to be anything too expensive, okay?

Oh, don't worry about that.

It's my treat.

Your sister is so nice!

In fact, me starting a new job is nothing compared to what

we're celebrating for my sister.

For your sister?

She is getting married!

I love this color!

IMAI

Thank goodness, thank goodness. Saki is getting

married before she turns 30 years old. I'm so relieved.

Right, dear?

Suzu Imai is Fukuko's mother.

And Katsuko is Fukuko's second older sister.

You should tell Dad that Saki's fiancé works for

a major corporation too!

I already did!

I said to him that he was nothing like your husband.

Don't say that in front of my kids.

- What? - Nothing.

- What? - Nothing!

Look!

Good job, Shige!

YOSHINO KODA - SHIGEYUKI KODA

He is an artist.

An artist?

Katsuko's husband, Tadahiko Koda, is an artist.

But Tadahiko's paintings don't sell very often.

You can call him an artist when his art can support you.

Mom.

Our dad wasn't a great provider either.

He tried so many businesses, spent all our money and died.

Katsuko!

That's why I want my daughters to live a stable life!

I am plenty happy as is.

Saki is Saki, and I am me.

Fukuko, your marriage will be arranged.

I won't let you marry a random guy like Katsuko did.

Dad loved Tadahiko.

I am the master of this house now.

I am a samurai's daughter.

I won’t allow you to act irresponsibly.

You got that, Fukuko?

I'm not getting married anytime soon!

‪WRITTEN BY YASUSHI FUKUDA

This is Saki's fiancé, Shinichi Onozuka.

We don't have to have a fancy wedding.

Sure.

Let's make it a small family event.

Sure.

- Here you go. - Thanks.

You always have to be self-effacing when you are married.

You always have to respect your husband, okay?

Yes, Mother. Fukuko, would you like more rice?

Sure.

‪-Here you go. ‪-Thank you.

You may not go to sleep before your husband.

And you have to wake up before him.

I know, Mother.

Saki will be fine, Mom.

You can't go into a marriage half-hearted, okay?

I am prepared.

Why are you saying all that at this point?

You are eating too much!

- Fukuko, eat this too. - Sure.

Fukuko.

What?

Are you going to be okay without me?

What?

You will have to provide for Mom out of your salary now.

You won't get paid much for a while.

We won't need a lot of money for food when it's just the two of us.

We will be okay. I will take good care of our mother.

Good luck with your job.

Thanks.

OSAKA TOYO HOTEL

Osaka Toyo Hotel was the largest hotel in Osaka back then.

Welcome.

LUGGAGE DROP-OFF

Certainly.

- Please guide the guest to his room. - Yes, sir.

- Welcome. - Welcome.

- Do you have a reservation? - Yes.

The guest for room 323 has arrived.

Fuku was hired as a switchboard operator here.

Hurry up and answer the phone!

This is the Osaka Toyo Hotel!

Hello, I believe Mr. Watanabe from Nakanoshima Electric is staying with you…

May I speak to him?

Mr. Watanabe? Oh, uh, what is his room number?

Check the hotel register.

- Oh, the hotel register? - Yeah.

I think he is in room 332.

Room 332?

We don't have a room 332.