Portrait of Chieko (智恵子抄)

A SHOCHIKU PRESENTATION

Chieko says there's no sky in Tokyo

She says she wants to see a true sky

Chieko says looking far into the distance

Over the mountain of Adatara

The blue sky appearing every day

Is a true sky for her

PORTRAIT OF CHIEKO

Produced by: Masao Shirai

Based on the novel by Haruo Sato Poems by: Kotaro Takamura

Screenplay: Joe Hirose, Noboru Nakamura

Cinematography: Hiroshi Takemura

Art Direction: Tatsuo Hamada Music: Masaru Sato

Audio: Toshio Tanaka

CAST

Shima Iwashita

Yoko Minamida Eiji Okada, Mikijiro Hira

Kaori Shima Takamaru Sasaki

Tetsuo Ishidate, Kinuko Obata Yoshi Kato

Ayako Hosho, Nobuko Tashiro Kakuko Motoyama, Nobuo Kaneko

Taketoshi Naito Minori Terada

Hirayoshi Aaono, Jiichi Kitami Tadashi Okuno, Shinji Tanaka

Nobuo Takagi, Yoji Doki Shigehisa Furuta, Naoki Izumi

Jin Nakayama

Poems read by: Hiroshi Akutagawa

Tetsuro Tamba

Directed by: Noboru Nakamura

44th year of Meiji Era (1911)

Hey! Osato, are you there?

- Hey, do you know where Osato is? - Yes, she'll join you soon.

Hey, Takamura, come here. I have something to show you.

This is it.

It's Nishido's nude painting that almost got trampled by the authorities.

Honda and I managed to get it back safely

before they could come up with an arrest warrant

for display of obscene materials.

After 40 years since the Meiji era,

we can finally say that the Pan Society, have produced a masterpiece.

You call this a masterpiece?

While I'm glad it didn't fall into their hands,

I also wonder if we're drinking here every night just to cultivate these kind of works?

- What are you trying to say? - This is nothing more than a sketch.

If this is the result, I'd rather use a photo machine.

I'm more interested in who this model is.

- I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. - Excuse me now, gentlemen.

I also had the opportunity of seeing that painting.

But I couldn't bear looking at it.

There shouldn't be any art that makes you want to avert your eyes.

- It's nothing but an erotic painting. - Please, come in.

How can you call something "new art" without even discerning that?

- I'm dumbstruck by the Pan Society. - Oh my!

Today, you seem to be in a bad mood again.

Welcome!

Osato.

- You don't look so pretty today. - Ah, is that so?

You're not pretty at all, completely lacking in beauty...

I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Have a drink.

Isn't it infuriating when someone who is beautiful

doesn't take care of their appearance?

Osato, go ahead and have a drink. Drink more and more.

You become more beautiful with each drink.

That's the kind of person you are. Have another drink, here.

Mr. Takamura, Mr. Tsubaki would like to see you.

Mr. Tsubaki?

"Ah, I ought to run somewhere."

"But I have nowhere to run to."

"Ah, guide me to the path I ought to run on."

Oh, Mr. Tsubaki...

As I expected, you're here. How can you go on like this, night after night?

I can't help but think you're forcibly getting drunk every night.

- You know what's happening tomorrow, right? - Tomorrow? Come again?

Ah, I'm glad I came here...

Tomorrow, November 3rd, my wife will be meeting you.

That's right. To introduce Miss Naganuma, if I recall correctly?

- Naganuma... - Chieko Naganuma.

Miss Chieko...

Isn't she the talented woman who drew the cover of "Bluestocking"?

I must admit, feminists are not my type, though.

Takamura, this is for your own sake.

Both me and my wife are concerned about you lately, you know?

I'm sorry to worry you, senior.

My wife will meet you in the morning, so make sure you are at home.

Understood?

- Oh, I'm sorry for this intrusion. - Welcome.

- Are we not disturbing your work? - Not really.

Please, come in.

Please, take a seat.

Let me make the introductions.

- This is Chieko Naganuma. - I'm Chieko.

- And this is Kotaro Takamura. - I'm Kotaro.

Uhm, can you please give him this?

Oh, please offer it to him yourself.

Oh, thank you very much.

Ah, they're beautiful. Please, have a seat.

That's the chair my models use, but it's more comfortable. Have a seat.

If you don't mind...

Today, I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to introduce the two of you

as it happens to be the Emperor's Birthday,

and the weather is also favorable.

After graduating from Mejiro Women's University,

Chieko is currently studying painting at the Pacific Art Academy.

She is very fond of sport. Horseback riding, cycling, tennis...

Well, let's skip the formalities today.

I would like to observe Miss Chieko as she is, and I hope she can see the real me, too.

Oh, I understand.

I guess that's the kind of person you are...

Let me get you some tea.

We can give you a hand.

I'm fine, thank you. I'm used to it. You don't have to worry.

I take care of the household chores myself for the most part.

I even chop daikon radishes and make miso soup.

And, when I have free time, I can even cook tempura.

When I get carried away and make too much,

I take it over to my parents' house and give it to them.

My father has never praised the tempura I make.

However, he always eats everything without fail.

Ah, Miss Chieko, do you like lemons?

Lemons are actually Chieko's favorites.

That's good to know.

Chieko actually loves biting into round lemons, savoring their crispness.

Is that so?

Lemons have a somewhat melancholic taste, don't they?

When I was studying abroad in France,

tears uncontrollably streamed down my face after taking a bite of it.

It reminded me of my mother.

It has been two years since I returned from there,

and as you have probably heard from Mrs. Kazuko,

my recent state has been quite turbulent.

As it turns out, the Pan Society

is ultimately nothing more than a gathering for personal venting.

In other words, I desire the creation of a new art

that is befitting of the new era, but its direction remains uncertain.

It fills me with anger and impatience...

Mr. Takamura, today...

Oh, you're right, not today... Please, go ahead.

Chieko, wouldn't you like to talk a little as well?

Mr. Takamura said

that he wants to hear about you directly from your own mouth.

I will speak to him directly at some point, for sure.

- Oh... - Ah, I'm sorry.

You've been visiting Kotaro lately, right?

Yes, since Mr. Kotaro's atelier doesn't have any decorations,

- I've brought this... - I see.

Excuse me.

I haven't finished drawing it yet...

- You like Cézanne, don't you? - Yes.

Do you intend to seriously pursue drawing?

Yes, if possible.

I think the drawing is well made.

It's your own creation, no doubt.

However, the colors seem to be overflowing.

That's a common weakness among those attracted to Cézanne.

And that seems to be the case for your painting as well.

Mr. Kotaro, Mr. Ishii is on the phone.

Oh... it's an invitation from those Pan folks to their silly commotion.

I'm sorry, but please say that I'm not here and decline it.

- You're having an important guest. - Exactly.

Since my only disciple is here today, I had no choice but to tell a lie.

You have the potential to become a real artist.

It's not common to find women who can look at this kind of painting

without a trace of shame.

My apologies, I think I said something unnecessary.

Chie! Chieko! Chieko!

- Are you okay? - I...

What happened to that man?

He jumped out of a third-floor window. He died instantly.

So, he committed double suicide due to that painting,

or maybe it was out of jealousy of its excessive beauty?

It felt like a sudden storm, right?

That was scary,

but I wish I could become at least that passionate about beauty.

What happened afterwards to those two? Has Mr. Kotaro said anything?

He didn't say anything else,

but they have become a topic among our comrades.

It seems that they often appear together

at places like exhibitions or restaurants around Ueno.

I see.

Moreover, it seems that Takamura

has completely stopped showing up at the Pan Society lately.

Ishii was lamenting about it...

Apparently, Chieko occasionally goes to Mr. Kotaro's studio,

and what's interesting is that they are acting like teacher and disciple.

Whenever they talk, it's always about painting and sculpture.

Takamura is not easily distracted from what he loves.

The People's Newspaper: "Once again, the Emperor's condition is critical".

It's been almost a year since I first visited your atelier.

I wonder what do you think about me?

You always keep quiet about that.

I understand. I get what you're saying.

However, to me right now, you are...

Please, wait a little longer.

Why do you want to leave home? Please, tell me the reason.

I won't know if you stay silent!

Is it because you feel awkward around me?

Or is there another reason?

I was going to build a new studio for you in the vacant lot behind us.

You're no longer a child, be responsible and settle down around here.

Avoid unnecessary rumors being spread about you.

Father, I beg you.

I will pass the family inheritance to my younger brother, and then...