Tora-San's Foster Daddy

A Shochiku Film

Once upon a time, by the Edogawa River… … …

Villagers were trying to comfort a beautiful girl…

When a stranger happened to pass by

And asked why they were grieving…

An old man stepped forward and told him… … …

I have lived here many years.

But this is the worst year.

It was such a cold summer we had to use foot warmers.

Then autumn rain storms flooded the village...

Then came the plague...

As a last resort we went to the magistrate for advice...

And he told us...

It's a curse!

A mountain demon has cursed you!

You must offer him a beautiful girl from the village!

And she must be the most beautiful girl!

It's a lie! It's not a curse!

Hirokichi, I have decided.

I'll sacrifice myself to save the villagers!

Osaku!

I wish your brother were here!

Don't mention him!

Young girl, do not worry.

I will go in your place.

You will?

You can't.

That's impossible.

No time to argue.

Autumn days are short. Hurry!

Change clothes with me! Now hurry!

Oh! The sun is setting!

Here it is!

Open it! Quick!

You're going to be very happy.

Show me your lovely face!

I've been waiting for you, Magistrate.

A monster!

I'll shave your head!

Wait!

Forgive me! Spare me!

The night of terror was over…

And the villagers gathered at the old shrine…

Fearfully they opened the box…

And were very surprised…

Good morning, everyone!

Where is the demon?

Over there!

That's the Magistrate!

The Magistrate!

There was no demon.

It was the Magistrate and his men.

You are safe now, Osaku.

How do you know my name?

Ever since I left Shibamata Village 20 years ago...

I've never forgotten that name.

Brother?

Yes!

Tora!

Tora!

People of Shibamata, Torajiro Kuruma has returned!

The evil Magistrate is gone!

And the village will live in peace forever.

He woke up.

Stop it! You'll scare the fish!

Foster Daddy Tora-san

I was born and raised in Shibamata, Katsushika…

Kuruma is my family name… Kiyoshi Atsumi as Tora And my given name is Torajiro…

But people call me Tora, the street peddler…

Chieko Baisho as Sakura But people call me Tora, the street peddler…

Chieko Baisho as Sakura

Ran Ito as Sumire

Masami Shimojo as Uncle

Chieko Misaki as Aunty Gin Maeda as Hiroshi

Hisao Dazai as President Hayato Nakamura as Mitsuo

Gajiro Sato as Genko Yoshio Yoshida as the Magistrate

Tatsuo Matsumura as Teacher Hayashi

Chisyu Ryu as the High Priest

Producer: Kiyoshi Shimazu

Planned by Yukio Takashima Shun'ichi Kobayashi

Written by Yoji Yamada Yoshitaka Asama

Cinematography: Tetsuo Takaba

Art Direction: Mitsuo Degawa

Music: Naozumi Yamamoto

Sound Recording: Isao Suzuki Sound Mixing: Ryuji Matsumoto

Lighting: Yoshifumi Aoki Editing: Iwao Ishii

Original Story and Directed by Yoji Yamada

Nice day, isn't it?

It's already autumn.

How's the new house?

The blinds aren't fixed yet.

I complained to the carpenter.

Here's a gift from the High Priest.

He shouldn't do that.

What could it be?

Hello...

Oh, hi!

I came for the census paper.

Census? It's on the desk.

Is this all right?

Just the two of you?

Well, you see...

There's one more. Our stupid nephew Torajiro.

Does he usually live here?

Well, not usually...

He comes and goes... sometimes, that is...

He should register where he is now.

Where he is now?

I'm glad we didn't write him in.

Wait! We are mistaken. I believe he's here now.

We mean our nephew.

Then, he is here?

I'm sorry. Sakura, a pencil!

Brother!

Hi, Sakura! Doing okay?

Welcome back.

I happened to be around. So I just dropped in.

But I can only stay an hour.

An hour?

In that case...

He'll stay longer.

Let him write it in.

Yes. Now, write your name, and age, and everything...

I haven't done anything wrong.

It's just the census.

If you don't, you won't be in Japan's population.

I don't care.

I'll come back later.

I'm sorry.

Some surprise, being treated like a criminal.

It's not that.

Silly! I'll do it.

Sit down.

How've you been?

Fine, thanks.

Here's a gift.

Thank you.

Well, Uncle, anything new around here!

Nothing.

There is... Sakura's...

What?

They moved into a bigger house.

You bought a house?

Yes, on installments.

Uncle mortgaged the shop, and borrowed money.

I see. So, you've got your own house now?

A two-story house.

Two stories, that's great.

That submarine-sized place you lived in was terrible.

Where is it?

Near the temple.

Can I see it?

Sure. She keeps it real neat.

Let's go.

Take this.

All right.

I'll take this.

Eat supper here.

Do you have a garden? Make a pond and I'll put carp in it.

They really are brother and sister.

Did you complete the census?

We'll do it by this evening.

Sorry...

There!

Second from the right.

Small, isn't it?

No, a good neighborhood.

Hello!

You live next door? I'm her brother. How are you?

It's brand new!

Built 3 years ago.

It's been kept up real well.

They used good materials.

Uncle said it was well-built.

And that's the garden.

Not much there.

No, it's just about the right size.

And the river's over here!

Oh!

I just saw you outside.

Going out?

I work nights.

A pretty hard life.

Real close neighbors.

Another room?

No...

Go look upstairs.

Yeah, upstairs.

Upstairs, here I come!

These stairs are too narrow to bring down a coffin.

I'll let the undertaker worry about that.

Sakura!

What?

This Mitsuo's room?

Yes!

A grade school student with his own room?

What's this other room? Going to rent it?

That's your room!

It's nice to have your own room.

A wonderful clock!