Double Suicide of Sonezaki (Sonezaki shinju)

Produced by Kodosha Kimura Productions and The japan Art Theater Guild

It is four o'clock.

Two hours to daybreak.

Tokubei - sama...

We must die before dawn.

Let's go to Sonezaki Forest and die!

Alright.

Ohatsu...

Suicide was once only that of another.

It is ours now.

We are going to die for love.

They'll make us an example.

You are right.

Let's go.

Double Suicide of Sonezaki - Sonezaki shinju -

Dojima Pleasure Quarters in Osaka

What happened?

A love suicide.

Okiku, the prostitute, died with a servant.

He spent his master's money on her...

Then forced her to die with him.

They say lovers die for love.

But it's not true.

They die for money.

Suicides are common nowadays.

It is a great loss for her master.

It might happen to Tokubei, your customer.

Is he still in bed?

Tokubei is honest and sincere.

He never makes trouble.

And you never take his money, Ohatsu. Why?

Even if he is honest, he is poor.

You pay for him, and you will go in debt.

You're pretty, you can get rich customers.

Be wise... leave him.

You'll come to nothing if you love him.

Tokubei is my customer.

Do not speak ill of him!

That girl killed herself.

And who can blame her?

A samurai commits harakiri...

when he can't live in shame.

A woman knows shame, too.

What is her pride?

It is to live with the man she loves.

If she can't live with him, she dies with him.

That is a woman's pride!

She should be admired for dying for love.

A woman's pride?

A woman, too, can't live in shame.

In a brothel men cheat women to make love.

But you gave me your heart - true love.

And I love you with all my love.

I'll never let any other woman have you.

I'll never leave you...

Even if I were to be damned for it.

Don't worry, Ohatsu.

I have my pride, too.

I'll never give up my love. I'll redeem you.

I'll marry you.

You'll take over your uncle's shop someday.

You could never marry a prostitute.

You're the woman I'll marry. No one else!

Is that true?

Yes.

Thank you, Tokubei - sama.

Tokubei - sama... I love you so.

Tokubei-sama...

I was happy when we first met.

I was glad to be in your arms.

But now I am sad.

Why?

I want to be your legal wife.

Even for a day... even for a night...

I want to be called by your name.

The day will come when I can marry you.

Just wait.

Yes. I'll be waiting.

When will you come back?

Tonight. After the shop has closed.

Let us part here.

Parting is grief. I want to be with you.

I'm back, sir.

Welcome home.

Master, I'm back from Kyoto.

Welcome home.

The money?

I've collected all the bills.

Examine them.

That is not necessary.

Tokubei is an honest man.

He works hard and makes no mistakes.

He will be a great merchant. I trust him.

O-haru, come help me in the kitchen.

What do you think about O-haru?

O-haru is the mistress's niece.

She is kind and pretty.

My wife raised her.

She could make a good wife.

I'd like you to marry O-haru.

Marry O-haru?

I'm going to open a shop in Edo.

I want you and O-haru to have it.

You are my nephew. I can trust you.

Edo? So far away from Osaka?!

Tokubei, make the Edo shop prosper

I took care of you.

Now, you can repay me.

I'm very grateful to you, sir, but...

I already have your stepmother's approval.

I paid her two silver kan for it.

Two silver kan?

The sooner the better.

Get a wife and a shop in the same time!

You are going to be a master!

Are you happy?

It is outrageous, sir!

Outrageous? Why?

You dealt with my stepmother secretly.

You can't force me to marry anyone!

I'm your uncle and master.

You dare disobey me?

You refuse such a proposition?

Yes, sir. I have to.

You mean O-haru is not good enough for you?

She's your relative. If I'd marry her...

I'd have to wait on her like a servant.

That is shameful!

Even if my late father had wanted me to - no.

You talk big.

But I know what is on your mind.

The rumor was right.

You love Ohatsu, the prostitute.

Did you tell her you'd marry her?

Yes, I did.

I see... You're that depraved.

You return evil for kindness.

All right. Give me back the silver.

Then leave my shop.

By the 7th of the month.

If you fail to return the money,

I'll kick you out of this town!

As a man, I can't live in shame.

I'll get the money from my stepmother.

I'll leave too.

Thank you for having taken care of me.

Stepmother, it is I, Tokubei.

What are these men doing here, Tokubei?

Give me the silver you got from my uncle.

Why?

Because I refused to marry O-haru-sama.

Fool! Why did you refuse?

Few merchants can own their shops...

before they turn forty.

You're twenty-seven.

This is your luck. Marry O-haru-sama.

What price a shop?

I'll not wreck my whole life for it!

I'll not marry O-haru-sama!

Give me the silver!

What is wrong with O-haru-sama?

I do not like her. That is all.

Where is the silver?

To get two silver kan...

a farmer has to work for ten years!

Ten years! Fortunately I have it.

Why should I give it back?

Without it, I'll be banished from Osaka.

Tokubei, I'm your stepmother.

I raised you. What did you do for me?

This silver is your first gift.

Do you want to take it away from me?

I'm asking you. Please give me the money.

No. Once I got it, I'll never let go of it.

Otherwise, one can't live in this world.

You refuse?

Yes. I refuse!

If you want the money, kill me first.

I'm your stepmother.

Would you kill me for two silver kan?

If you would, try!

I know you're greedy, but this is too much.

This is between Tokubei and me.

Tokubei has always been filial to you.

He often comes home to tale care of you.

He is a good boy.

Why refuse his request?

Money is better. It means everything.

You want to force him to marry for money?

You want to sell him away?

I will not forgive you.

The entire village will ostracize you

Do you still want the money?

Tokubei, you're a man.

Talk with me alone!

Don't be a coward!

We came on our own. He didn’t ask us to.

If we desert you, you'll be ruined.

You can't live alone, anyway,

You want to threaten a helpless widow?