The Mother Tree (怪談乳房榎)

THE MOTHER TREE

A Mitsugu Okura Production.

Based on the Story Enchou Sanyuutei Written by Torao Tanabe.

Assistant Director Hiromichi Takebe.

Starring.

Katsuko Wakasugi Akira Nakamura Asao Matsumoto.

Directed by Goro Katono.

What brought you back from near-bankruptcy three years ago...

is your ability.

It has nothing to do with that simple painting of mine.

No, Shigenobu-sensei.

That is the brushwork of the greatest artist in Edo.

Look how enticingly her hair hangs.

It is a masterpiece.

It's not that good!

Indeed it is! This establishment has prospered...

on customers wishing to view it.

If he is to paint for you, have him do something colorful.

Fireworks, perhaps.

Fireworks on a temple folding-screen?

Well, Sensei?

Perhaps a "sumi" ink painting...

of the married dragons.

The progenitors of humanity...

Yes, Sensei, please!

I'll express what I've come since my marriage to feel.

I very much hope you will do that.

Excuse me.

Thank you for waiting.

The boat's ready.

Your man Shosuke insists on poling it himself!

Look, Mayotaro... it's done.

This is for you.

He's asleep!

Look...

There's Takeroku up there.

Takeroku? That nice young lad?

I said I'd paint something for him and I haven't even touched a brush!

Land us at the bridge.

Yes, sir.

Cold Dumplings.

Don't worry. I'll do if for you.

That would be wonderful, sir! Thank you very much!

We'll be looking for you to come by.

Thank you!

I'll look forward to it.

Whoops! Careful on the stones, Missus!

Don't drop the baby!

A pretty woman!

Namihei! Were you here all along?

I couldn't take my eyes off her!

As usual, eh?

Who was that man you were with?

Hishikawa Shigenobu.

A famous Tosa and ukiyoe painter.

I see...

What is it?

I like painting. I'd like to find someone good to learn from.

Could you help me become a student of his?

I couldn't do that! Not even for a friend.

My master dismissed me because I was too interested in painting.

Yes, but still...

Wait!

I'm sure you can do something.

Are you sure you can't help?

But...

I know it's not much. Don't be so damn proper!

I see...

All right, Namihei.

Taking so long over this... I must be losing my touch!

You have too much to do.

The Nanzoin Temple has asked again when you will come.

How long has it been since I said I'd go there?

All right, I'll go now.

Tell Shosuke to get my things ready.

I will.

It's such a help to have a student like Namihei here.

He's very nice, isn't he.

The baby always likes Namihei to hold him.

Did he buy you that comb?

Well, this is goodbye for a while.

There's my boy!

Be good till I get back.

Are you leaving now?

Yes. But don't worry. I'll be back soon.

But I'll miss you...

Getting this job done will be a load off my shoulders.

Take care of things.

I will.

I leave the women of my house in your care.

Have no fear. Put your heart into your work.

Kise, if there are any problems, discuss them with Namihei.

Take good care of the boy.

Take care of your health, and come home soon.

Don't worry.

Shigenobu...

I'll be going.

Make yourself at home, Takeroku. It's always a pleasure to see you.

No, we should go.

I feel guilty about being received so well with your husband away.

I'm not saying this just to be polite...

but I can't imagine leaving such a pretty wife alone...

to go to some country temple and paint!

Don't prattle that way!

But...

That's all right.

I'm very grateful to Takeroku.

Oh?

And why would that be?

It's because of him we have a student like you.

You embarrass me.

Takeroku, it's getting late. We should go.

But you've come all this way to see that we're all right!

With the Sensei away...

it's unseemly for us to be here too long.

Oh, no!

It's time to go.

What's wrong?!

I'm sorry... I sometimes have these spasms...

Does it hurt?

Please... bring me a cup of hot water... quickly!

Just lay quietly.

Hana! Hana!

One more thing...

Oh!

Move that in here.

What are you doing?!

Keep quiet!

Stop that!

I'll scream if you don't stop!

Go ahead.

I wasn't sick.

I think about you all the time. I dream about you!

What do you want?

I love you more than I love life itself!

This is wrong! Let go of me!

You mustn't!

Kise!

No! Let go!

If you refuse, I'll kill you then kill myself!

If you want me so much, then take me...

and then kill me.

I'm a married woman.

This cannot be!

Then I'll take this child with us!

Wait!

Then you accept that it's my fate to risk my life for love of you?

This is unfair!

To force yourself on a weak woman by using an innocent babe...

is cowardice worse than villainy!

Call me villain or call me demon, I will pleasure you!

Shigenobu!

Be too much in the mind and the body pays.

Your Reverence...

I don't know if it will help, but have some tea.

I sent Hana on an errand.

We won't be disturbed.

You're nothing but a beast in human form!

And now you're my mate!

You're an adulteress. We're animals together.

You disgust me!

Ye Gods, forgive me!

As you wish. Now, while we have time...

Take your hands off me!

The Sensei's coming home?!

I thought he'd be there for weeks!

Kise!

No!

What do you think you're doing?!

You saw us!

You!

I don't know anything! I swear I'll say nothing...

about the two of you!

"Two"?

No, I mean...

You said "two"!

Please!

So you know!

I can't leave you alive when you know our secret!

I know nothing!

Then will you do as I tell you?

I'm just an old...

Will you?

Well?!

Yes! Whatever you say!

Some rich food is welcome after so long a time.

I thought fish might be welcome after weeks of temple life.

What do you think? I've put my heart into it.

You'd think they were alive.

All that's left is the eyes.

I want eyes that might see right into the next world!

But perhaps, Sensei, you're working too hard.

I was speaking of this to Shosuke.

Perhaps you might go to see the fireflies at Ochiai.

Go out and wander around?

Yes. Good health requires occasional rest.

Is that not so?

I've heard the fireflies at Ochiai are a wonderful sight.

Shosuke, come with me.

Yes...