The Eel (うなぎ)

Summer 1988

Sorry for all the letters.

This is also about your wife's adultery.

You may think this is just some sort of prank.

So I have decided to write this one last time.

This isn't a trick or a joke.

A man visits your wife at night, when you go

on all-night fishing trips.

Hello. You're home early today.

The door's open.

I'm home.

I'm packing your lunch. You're going fishing tonight, right?

What'll you be fishing for?

Sea bass and black sea bream.

Then it's sashimi tomorrow.

Recently the landlady has been ill.

It'll be cold tonight. Take an overcoat.

...especially when you go fishing.

What time will you be home?

Same as always.

Good luck.

- See you. - Take care.

Leaving already, mr. Yamashita?

They're just starting to bite.

You can have this.

Are you sure?

Say hello to everyone.

Take care.

See you.

Going back already?

- Shall I drive you? - No thanks.

- Coming next week, too? - Yes.

- Good bye. - See you.

Korea prepares for the Olympics

he drives a white sedan.

You killed her!

Murder! Help!

Help!

My name is Takuro Yamashita. I live in Wakaba, Tama Ward.

I just killed my wife.

This is the weapon I used.

Come inside.

Call homicide.

This way.

Homicide? A man has just turned himself in.

Yes, please.

Eight years later

Make sure you don't break any rules while you're on parole.

And don't make any trouble for rev. Nakajima, your parole officer.

Even if you see trouble occurring around you,

don't let yourself be drawn into it.

I hope you'll spend your two years on parole without any lapses.

My car's in the parking lot.

You forgot this.

I put some oxygen in. It should last all day.

What is it?

It's Yamashita's pet eel.

Pet eel?

He kept it in a pond inside the prison.

Actually, pets are forbidden but we pretended it was ours.

But why an eel?

He listens to what I say.

He listens?

He doesn't say what I don't want to hear.

The eel

where is your wife buried?

I don't know.

Is that so...

- ...tastes good? - Yes.

This is my temple.

You'll have to come here and report to me occasionally.

We can just talk, that's all.

Will you come in?

My eel doesn't look so good.

Let's take a walk. I'll show you that shop you asked about.

Can't you walk alongside me?

It's an 8 year habit.

Reverend Nakajima!

Another funeral? Time to rake in more cash, huh?

No. We're just out walking.

He's an old student who's visiting me.

This is mr. Takada. This is mr. Yamashita.

I'm showing him the sights of Sawara.

Sawara is as empty as the sahara.

- What's that? - It's an eel.

It's a whopper! At least a kilo.

You going to gril lit?

He's much too fond of it.

Shall we continue?

Where are you going? There's nothing out that way.

I'll show him the old barber shop. He's thinking of starting up.

Not that old place?

I agree. But he saw the photos and liked the place.

Hello.

Mr. Yamashita, come back here.

- What an odd guy. - You might say that.

Are you sure about this?

Yamashita.

This is your bank book. I got it from your brother.

He received 4 million yen when your mother died.

He spent a million on the funeral. This is what's left.

Yes.

Plus the 80,00 yen you earned while in prison.

It's 3.8 million yen in total. Take it.

It's a lot of money.

Prices have risen in the past eight years.

Use it wisely.

Hello, Takada.

What are you doing?

I like this place. How about you?

Better than the prison pond. What did you say?

I agree!

He certainly is different, isn't he?

He thinks he did nothing wrong?

Well, he never admitted as much. But that's apparently what he believes.

He doesn't regret what he did?

Thank you for the bath.

Be careful!

Let me introduce you to my wife.

I'm misako. Nice to meet you.

I'll wash your things.

No, thank you. I can do it myself.

Excuse me going to bed early. Good night.

Sorry about this.

It won't be easy.

What's going on here?

You opening up shop?

What's he up to?

Apparently he's opening a barbershop.

You're kidding!

He's too bloody unsociable.

How do you like it here?

What are you fishing for?

Nothing in particular.

What if a customer comes?

I can see from here.

Don't I look like a customer?

Talk to that eel, do you?

Make you laugh, does he?

I happened to catch it and I'm just keeping it.

We should go eel-hunting together.

That's downright unusual. A woman here all by herself.

What's up?

Don't stand out there. Come on in.

I'm going to get some food for my eel. Takada knows a good place.

Does he?

While you're on parole...

don't let yourself be drawn into any kind of trouble.

How'd it go?

I'm first in line.

Find any good eel food?

What are you on about?

Anything wrong?

- Will you come with me? - What for?

It's something I saw.

You're not a child. You should know better.

Why didn't you report it immediately?

I just wanted someone to be with me.

Was there anything in her purse?

Sleeping pills and lipstick.

Did you open her purse?

I didn't touch it.

Who gives a damn? Nothing was stolen, right?

Come on, we reported it!

I have to cover all possibilities.

What for?

Is that so? Good.

She'll live.

It's good she was found quickly. They pumped her stomach.

We'll be in touch if there's anything else.

I'll go to the hospital.

What a bummer. It wasn't a murder.

Watch your mouth!

No pat on the back for the good citizens?

Don't be a smart ass.

Come on, I'll show you how to use the spear.

What spear?

The eel spear I was telling you about.

Damn.

These days hardly anyone spears eels anymore.

Only me in these parts.

Got 'in!

Pull it off.

Did you know that woman who tried to kill herself?

No, but she resembled someone...

really? Who?

My wife. We're separated.

Right! Game to try your luck?

What?

The spear.

I'll hold the light, you spear.

There's one. Right over there.

There you go.

What's wrong?

What was that for?

I don't feel comfortable doing it.

I am writing to tell you that your wife

I wanted to ask you a favor.

I was going to come tomorrow, but the sooner the better.

A favor?