Love and the Grand Tug-of-war

Produced by PADDY HOUSE

The Satsuma Sendai Grand Tug-of-war began in 1600.

When the Shimazu clan wanted to raise troop morale before a major battle.

A little over 25 years ago, in 1994,

we celebrated the 395th anniversary of the Battle of Sekigahara.

There are 2 Generals leading the rope-pullers and Disruptors.

The festival star, the man in the middle, beating the drum

of the Uptown troupe, was Hiroshi Arima, my father.

The one bearing the General's banner was Yoshiaki Nakazono.

He's the father of my childhood friend, Noriko, or Tenko.

Tenko, at 10 years old.

Me, also 10 years old.

My little sister, Atsuko, nickname Akko, was always close by.

It was my dream to one day be the Lead Drummer for our ancient festival.

Love and the Grand Tug-of-war

June, 2019

They'll soon choose the three main festival leaders.

Who do you think they'll pick this year?

I'm the head judge, I can't say.

Alright, so I'll just talk to myself, then.

I hear they've chosen the Lead Drummers.

Your employee, Yoshidome, leads the Uptown team.

And Fukumoto is representing the Downtown team.

They're the same age as your boy, and same as us when we did it.

Takeshi should be one of the top three this year

and Lead Drummer next year.

Excuse me.

No, my boy's not ready to be Lead Drummer.

I've looked forward to him succeeding your role.

I have a daughter, she can't do it.

Little Tenko, eh?

She's always been so very determined.

Her daughter, our grandchild, is a tomboy, too.

Your Takeshi's done well at work and for the festival.

I don't think so.

He refused to work for me and he abandoned the festival.

He ended up chasing foolish dreams in Tokyo.

You were so happy when they both entered high school.

Your memory's playing tricks on you.

He got into the famed Waseda University.

You pretended to be upset, but you were very proud.

Everyone knows that.

It's time you stood up for your boy.

Look at him, dead-drunk again.

Call his wife.

Building Operations & Engineering Management

Takeshi, I need your help.

Mom, can't you knock first?

Sorry, son.

Get a grip!

Sorry about this, Takeshi.

We shouldn't let him drink so much.

His age is catching up with him.

-Thanks. -Goodnight.

Damn Lead Drummer!

Dad, lie down on the bedding.

Good work, Takeshi.

Dear, you need to undress.

Hands off me!

Morning.

No breakfast, Akko?

I don't have time.

It's rare to see you in a suit.

I'm off to Government Office.

Mom, I'll be home late. I'm eating out.

Bye.

I'm done.

The purification ceremony is at 3pm, so be on time.

I'll be there.

I'm off.

Take care.

I'm done.

Sendai Station

What's wrong?

Sir! Are you okay?

Quick! Someone call an ambulance!

Quick, it's urgent!

Ground-breaking & Purification Ceremony

Where's that boy got to now?

Maybe something came up?

Place the pads on the patient's chest...

The ambulance's here.

Over here.

I'm a doctor. He's in cardiac arrest.

Make way.

Mr. Arima, we really should get started.

Where's Takeshi got to?

Give him a few more minutes.

Sacred ceremonies can't wait.

Mr. Shinto Priest, please begin.

He saved a man's life, cut him some slack.

Did he live?

The Korean doctor went with him to hospital.

So you didn't save him?

Arima Construction Group

Good evening.

Any idea why Mom asked us all here?

No idea. I had plans for tonight.

It's your mom's birthday today, did you forget?

I totally forgot about it.

She wouldn't summon us for her party.

Good evening, Ma'am.

I'm sorry to ask you all here after work.

If you don't mind, I'll begin.

Today marks my 60th birthday.

Japan's official age of retirement.

As of today, I am quitting my job as manager of Arima Construction.

What?

Are you serious?

I don't get it.

You three will do the housework.

I'm retiring from work and from housework.

The person taking over as manager here...

I'm not doing it, Mom.

You won't have to.

Hidemi will take over as office manager.

That's very selfish.

I've spent my life pandering to your selfish needs.

That's all.

Arima Residence

Mom, it's still early, where are you off to?

Mom, why didn't you wake me up?

You're both old enough to look after yourselves.

Right, then.

I'm off to enjoy my new, carefree, life of retirement.

No breakfast?

And I'm running late.

What's all this noise so early?

Dad!

Where's breakfast?

Takeshi, let's go.

Where do we start?

Let's begin with the material storage in the back.

Pay attention, or you'll get hurt.

Arima Construction Group

Have you finished the estimate for Sakuraba Construction?

No time for that now. Where's last year's financial reports?

Your wife handles the financials.

The client's furious.

So bloody what?

Oh, sorry.

Stupid client, not you.

Not you, another client.

Fukumoto's lad will head up the Downtown Crew.

Didn't he quit high school over a fight?

Back then, he was the baseball team star.

Some friend got into trouble, he tried to fix it.

He's a cool guy.

You don't fix things with threats and violence.

I won't have that.

Takeshi, within two years, you should be leading the Uptown Crew.

Not a chance.

C'mon, it's been your family tradition for generations.

I'm done.

Darling.

-You're late. -Sorry about that.

Work hard, dear.

I'll be straight home, love.

You two are so affectionate.

You sound like a gigolo.

He's my gigolo.

I'd better go.

Be careful.

Sister Akko: Your turn to make dinner tonight

This won't last forever, will it?

How do we change it?

We can't. Mom has to change.

But this is a Mom's duty.

And the office, too.

That's the problem. She's sick of doing everything.

I should go eat out.

I'll head down to my bar.

I'm home.

You haven't done a lick of housework.

Where've you been?

I told you, remember? I'm retired now.

Right, then.

We'll just have to see who caves in first.

Takeshi!

What?

July

Eh? Uncle Arima?

Hello, Tenko.

Okay, I go shopping. So what?

-What's going on? -Stop it.

On strike, is she? She's certainly got spirit.

It's been over a week now.

Are you still stationed in Tokyo?

I've been posted here, so we moved back.

Really? Then you'll get to see this year's tug-of-war.

The troops I lead will also participate.

Your soldiers?

I'm a platoon leader now.

That's very impressive, Tenko.

Isn't it?

And your husband?

Third Lieutenant Noriko Nakazono,

was officially divorced as of May, 2019.

Is that right?

How could you stand being stationed anywhere else?