Equinox Flower (彼岸花)

Shochiku Films

Participant in the Arts Festival 33rd Year of Showa Era (1958)

Equinox Flower

Original story by Ton Satomi

Screenplay by Kogo Noda and Yasujiro Ozu

Produced by Shizuo Yamanouchi Cinematography by Yuharu Atsuta

Art Direction by Tatsuo Hamada

Cast:

Shin Saburi as Mr Hirayama

Kinuyo Tanaka as Mrs Hirayama

Ineko Arima as Setsuko Hirayama

Yoshiko Kuga as Fumiko Mikami

Keiji Sada as Mr Taniguchi

Teiji Takahashi as Mr Kondo

Miyuki Kuwano as Hisako Hirayama

Chishu Ryu as Mr Mikami

Chieko Naniwa as Mrs Sasaki

Fujiko Yamamoto as Yukiko Sasaki

Directed by Yasujiro Ozu

- Must be an auspicious day - How so?

Lots of newly weds about

Not a lot of pretty brides though

See that one on the 15-minutes-past to Atami?

That chubby one? She was nice, the prettiest one so far

I wonder if the weather will hold. There was a storm warning

April showers bring May flowers

Hey, here comes another

If you ask me, she's too skinny

Warning: Strong Winds

...we pray that you may be blessed...

I haven't seen Mr Mikami

What happened to Mikami?

I don't think he came

I sent him an invitation, but he didn't show up

Why not?

Now let us hear from a close friend of the father of the bride...

...Mr Wataru Hirayama, company director of Daiwa Enterprises

Is that me?

Please be seated

Congratulations, Tomoko

The previous speakers have all said wonderful things...

...and there isn't much I can add

These two have been in love for a long time

Every once in a while, I would hear from Tomoko...

...how their relationship was going

It was always good news

However, I was always surprised...

...by how very different their lives were from my own youth

I remember how plain and unsentimental...

...my own wedding was

My wife is sitting right here...

...and she too could tell you...

...how it was all arranged by our parents

In that regard, our young couple today is very lucky

I truly envy them

My only advice to them is to try their best to find happiness...

...though they may already know that

I hope people tell me about your ideal marriage one day...

...so I can envy you even more

Thank you

Congratulations

- Thank you - It was my pleasure

Wakamatsu Restaurant

What year was that?

I think it was in 1942 or 1943. I passed by Kure, returning home

Was Mikami still there?

His shipboard duty was later

He took me to the Officers' Club. His treat

He'd reached his peak then

He still had a few good years in him

Have some more

Hasn't Mikami's daughter reached marriageable age?

Yes, she's a year younger than mine

- The girl I saw you with today? - No, that was my eldest

I see

What about your daughter?

She's at that age

Most of us have had girls

- You have boys, don't you? - Two sons

I heard that if the husband is the stronger, then the couple will have girls...

...and if the wife is stronger, they'll have boys, right?

The first child is usually a girl

Does that mean the man is stronger early on in the marriage?

- It's possible - It's odd in your case, then

- How come? - Because you have two boys

You should ask my wife. I'm not a very passionate man

Rubbish!

Welcome

It's just like a reunion. Welcome. Welcome

- It's been a while, hasn't it? - Indeed

Congratulations, Mr Kawai. The wedding went well?

I'm glad the weatherman was wrong about the strong winds

Won't you get a bit lonely, now that your daughter is married?

I'm used to it, second time round

- How many do you have? - How many what? Husbands?

I mean how many children?

Oh, children. I've got three

- I bet they're all boys - That's right. How did you know?

We can just tell. It's obvious

- No doubt about it - Wouldn't be right otherwise

- What do you mean? - You have the constitution for it

- More sake - Yes, yes. You're up to something...

Welcome home

Welcome back

Where did you go afterwards?

To Wakamatsu

Mrs Kawai must've been lonely, left all by herself

- Where's Setsuko? - Still out

She's not home yet?

It's getting late

It was a lovely reception, and the bride was beautiful

Her bridal kimono was so beautiful

- Have you spoken to Setsuko yet? - Yes

What did she say?

She didn't say anything. She just grinned

She should think about it

- I know, but still... - Time is of the essence

He's a fine young man. She should make a decision

I suppose so

He's from a good family, too

According to Takanashi...

...his grandfather used to be President of the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce

Is that so?

He was very prominent

Is this about Setsuko's marriage?

- There's no need to rush it - What do you mean?

I'm sure my sister has her own thoughts on the subject, just as I do

You do?

I'd hate having an arranged marriage with someone I didn't know

Is that so?

I'd hate it!

That worries me...

You've no need to worry. I can find a husband on my own

Is that right? That's good to know

Well, find a good one, Hisako

No problem. I have plenty of boyfriends

Is that so?

Sister?

I'm home. Shall I lock the door?

Sure. That's all right, isn't it?

Evening

- Welcome home - You're late

- I was out with a friend - On a date?

Don't be silly!

How did the bride look, Mother?

- She looked beautiful - Really?

They smell nice

I bet my sister has one

- One what? - A boyfriend

I don't know. Does she?

I'm not sure, but I reckon so

Well, then, I don't have to worry about her either

You'd worry about us anyway

- Good night - Night

- You'll need your morning suit again tomorrow - What for?

Don't you have the funeral of a colleague?

Oh, a suit and a black tie will do

It's so confusing, one day a wedding, the next day a funeral

Yes?

Mr Mikami is here

I thought I'd pop in. I'm not bothering you, I hope

No, not at all

Why didn't you come to the wedding yesterday?

I had to excuse myself

- Anything the matter? - No, nothing serious

Not really

- What was the matter? - I just didn't want to go

Why? What happened?

I just wasn't in the mood for a happy wedding

- Why not? - I was thinking of my daughter

We were talking about that yesterday. What happened to your daughter?

Did someone mention her?

It was just that all of our daughters were of marriageable age

Fumiko's left home

Why? When?

About two months ago

She's living with a man

Really? I didn't know that

I don't know what to do with her. It's partly my fault, of course...

How's she supporting herself?

I heard she has a flat in Suginami and she's working in a bar in the Ginza

Have you heard of a place called Luna?

Luna? No, I've never heard of it

I can't just go and see her like that

If you get a chance, will you check on her?

Of course I will. But what happened?

Yes?

Mrs Sasaki of Kyoto is here to see you

- Sasaki? - Yes

Excuse me

You've got a customer, so I'll get going

You don't have to leave

I'll come again. Thanks

All right

- I'll see you soon - See you again

- Goodbye - Thanks. Bye

My, it's been a long time

- Indeed it has. Have a seat - Thank you

- When did you arrive? - Yukiko and I got here yesterday

I see