The Insect Woman (にっぽん昆虫記)

O-wa-i-ya-re

Where, oh where has the baby-sitter gone?

She went to town to buy a dog

She'll be back soon

If you don't sleep the mice will scamper over you

If you stay awake the nightjars will fly off with you

THE INSECT WOMAN

Hold on!

It hurts!

Hang on, En. She's coming.

She'll be here any minute.

Drink this birthing potion.

Chuji, hurry up and heat some water.

Is the baby coming out?

Any minute now.

It's mine, isn't it?

It's yours, all right.

It's my baby.

My baby.

Well, Chuji, how's En doing?

WINTER 1918

Not the name, stupid. The date of birth.

- Day before yesterday. - What's that?

Day before yesterday.

You two were married on October 3,

and the baby's born two months later?

That's right.

Like a little piglet!

It's my baby.

Sure, on paper.

Who's the real father? Onogawa?

Who knows?

Even En wouldn't know. She'll sleep with anyone.

I said after we see the soldiers off.

- I just have to talk to you. - No, Mr. Onogawa.

It's all right.

Not in here.

What's it matter?

Someone might come in.

Nobody knows we're here.

Mommy!

Where did you go?

MAY 1924

Papa.

What is it, Tome?

Are you and Mama married?

No, we're not.

You sleep with me, so that means we're married, right?

That's right. We're married.

O-wa-i-ya-re

If you don't sleep the mice will scamper over you

Papa, what are you making?

A doll for the god of the mountain.

I want to put it up!

- You can't. - Why not?

The god of the mountain is a woman.

Look over there.

SPRING 1942

Hey, Tome!

Your dad's very ill.

Your father's dying.

Better get home quick.

How's Papa?

He's dead.

Really?

Just kidding.

We called you back to help on Mr. Honda's farm.

They're coming for you tonight, so get ready.

What are you talking about? I'm serving our country.

Mr. Honda owns our land.

Serving him is the same as serving your country.

And you know we still owe him money.

Rui.

I can't go to the Hondas' while Isamu's off fighting.

He could be killed any day. You can't wait.

You're already 20.

Rui married into this family to help her own.

Having an unmarried sister-in-law

isn't fair to her, you know.

Where's Papa?

He won't be back from work until tomorrow night.

I have to talk to him.

He'll go crazy again when he gets back.

Look at this.

Scars from the last beating he gave me.

We're not selling her as a geisha, so it won't be as bad this time.

Anything about Tome makes that idiot crazy.

No telling what he might do.

But if we don't say something,

that fool will sleep with Tome forever.

I don't really like Shunzo.

I'll talk to Papa.

Papa, always Papa! You're not a little girl anymore.

You gonna sleep with him forever and never get married?

Tome, you're just going there to help out.

You don't have to sleep with Shunzo.

Honda just wants help.

It's a great day! Singapore has fallen,

and Tome will fall tonight.

Here, have some.

Thank you.

Tome, Shunzo's eager and waiting.

That's right. Time to go, Tome.

My feet hurt.

Never mind her. Just take her.

No need to be shy.

Tome, let's go.

My feet hurt.

Papa!

You're back just in time.

Tome's going to help out at the Hondas'.

Congratulations, old man.

Tome's a lucky one, marrying the landlord.

It's Shunzo who's lucky, getting such a beauty.

Watch out! Run!

Old man, don't!

Papa!

Father, stop!

Stop it!

Chuji, you can beat En all you want,

but you can't fight the will of the gods.

Papa!

Stop it!

I said I would go.

It's the only choice. I'm doing it for the family.

Tonight?

No, I'll make them wait until tomorrow.

All right, Kura?

Chuji, no matter what you do, it's fate.

The god of marriage has tied the knot. You can't fight the will of the gods.

Where does it hurt?

Here.

Looks bad. It's full of pus.

Ouch!

What's wrong?

Rui's watching.

If you sleep with Shunzo -

I won't.

Mr. Honda says I just need to help with the work.

It's freezing.

My older brother just sits by the fire and drinks.

Damn it.

It'll be hard on you,

being the wife of a poor landowner's third son.

Tome. - No, don't!

Why not? You refused last night too!

- Didn't Kura tell you? - What?

I'm just helping out,

and you aren't to touch me.

That's ridiculous.

Stop it!

What's the big deal?

I'll be drafted soon to die for our country.

Do your part.

Papa!

Papa!

How many months since I left my homeland?

Hey, you little troublemaker!

I'll give you some candy later. Now go play at your mother's.

You're it!

What? I'll get you!

I'm gonna get you!

Demon!

Mother!

Mother!

I don't like it there.

Why not?

Shunzo has a mistress.

You mean Kane?

They even have a kid.

Fool.

If you work hard, you can become his lawful wife.

When his father dies, Shunzo will get this mill.

Then you'll be in charge. Kane's just a maid.

Don't get distracted by things like that.

It's all for the family.

You understand, Tome?

Tome's dying.

Idiot! Women don't die every time they have a baby.

Now clear out.

Get out of here, you dolt!

Go boil some water.

Son of a bitch is always ruining our plans.

Beating up Shunzo

just for sleeping with Tome.

Is he badly hurt?

Chuji beat him with all his brute strength,

so he's in bad shape.

Kura, couldn't we apologize

and get the Hondas to take her back?

They'd have sent her home in any case for getting pregnant.

After that incident they'll never take her back.

I know, but...

Your mother and you both had bastard children.

Don't go acting as if Tome's the only bad one.

What a racket!

Will you stop that?

It's a girl.

Do we let it live or get rid of it?

Let's get rid of it.