A Portrait of Shunkin (春琴抄)

A Portrait of Shunkin

It was not long after the 1868 Meiji Restoration.

There was a street in Osaka.

Lined with traditionally drug stores called Doshomachi.

The druggists were proud,

their families were respected,

they remained old-fashioned.

Naturally, feudalism still remained with them.

Welcome.

Mr. Omiya is here.

Hello, I haven't seen you for ages.

How are you?

Mozuya Pharmacy was one of the bigger shops.

Yasuzaemon, the master had two daughters,

Koto was younger.

There was a servant named Sasuke who came from Omi when he was 13.

He was expected to become an apprentice.

Sasuke.

Sasuke, you're wanted.

Sasuke, Miss Koto wants you.

Miss Koto is waiting for you eagerly.

Thanks.

Miss Koto, you ask for me?

You're late.

I'm sorry.

You're supposed to trim my nails today.

How can you forget it?

I have to carry the things from the warehouse.

No excuses!

Sorry.

Take me to my music lesson after you trim my nails.

All right.

Oh, no!

Too short!

They are not of the same length.

Can't you trim the nails equally?

I'm sorry. I'll be careful next time.

Sasuke, will you please come out?

What for?

I need him here.

His father has arrived from his hometown,

and ma'am sent me for him.

Sasuke,

go and see your father.

Later!

I'll see him later.

You've been away from Osaka for a while,

take Sasuke with you and look around.

No, I'll get the medicine today,

and I'll return home tomorrow.

You're as tedious as ever.

Poor merchants

have no time to waste.

The master is here, you haven't change a bit.

I'm old.

Your son works as hard as you.

Thanks to you,

you've been kind to my son.

I really appreciate it, thank you.

Don't be so humble!

He deserves it.

Where is he?

Bring him here.

I sent for him.

Never mind.

I'm glad if he can be of help to you.

Koto always needs Sasuke

to do things for her.

She's blind,

we pity her.

We let him to take care of her as she wishes.

I'm obliged.

She's very kind to him.

My father worked

for your shop too.

We're grateful to you.

Please let him reciprocates

your kindness and work for her.

Since she is blind,

she loses her temper easily.

Sasuke soothes her temper,

we thank him.

How are you, Miss.

It's been a long time.

Don't be so polite.

Though I haven't seen her for a short time.

She looks like a full-fledged business woman,

more mature and beautiful.

You mean her?

She's going to get married.

My elder daughter is really somebody.

She wants to run the shop.

My employees say she sores them more than I do.

Sasuke, your father's here,

come and see him.

I know.

But Miss Koto's going to her music lesson.

You don't have to go.

Koto,

go with somebody else, 0k?

Who do you want?

Otoku?

She talks too much.

Otane?

She's awful.

She acted badly in front of me.

Let me go, ma'am,

I'm accustomed to it.

But...

your father's here, you have to see him.

It doesn't matter,

I'll talk with him tonight.

Miss Koto, let's go.

Let's go.

Come back earlier.

She's grown even more beautiful.

We have to realize that we're old.

You're right. I'm sorry.

She asks Sasuke to accompany her to the music lesson.

Since she's handicapped,

let her have her way.

So I go now, sorry.

Her music teacher likes her.

He said Koto is gifted in,

and he teaches her especially hard.

Her reputation is good among professional koto players, and he teaches her especially hard.

Her reputation is good among professional koto players,

she plays very well.

That's very nice, congratulations.

She likes music,

she wants to be a professional.

Her determination, however, makes me feel sorry.

Everybody is born to be useful.

Once I think of it,

I would feel better.

She knows it too.

Sen kichi just passed by

with a fragrant smell.

Who is she?

Don't you know, young master?

She's the daughter at Mozuya Pharmacy.

- Mozuya Pharmacy? - I won't cheat you.

I always believe young master has it on you.

I thought you know all the beauts in Osaka.

So was I.

But I don't know this one.

Really?

But it's pity,

I wish she could see.

I can't believe she's blind.

I can't stand it,

I can't control myself once I smell a girl's fragrance.

Help me get acquainted with her.

Not again! That's your illness.

I've got an idea,

study koto with her

from her teacher.

- Koto? - Yeah.

Forget it. I disgust it.

Dancing would be better for me.

So you have to give up.

There is no other way.

I can't lose such a big fish.

I must catch her.

You'd better give up.

I don't believe I can't get her.

All right.

I'll do anything for her,

I'll study koto or samisen if it helps me to get her.

The teacher is biased,

and earnest when she plays.

That's right.

She's his best pupil,

and pretty, too!

Nonsense! He's blind, too!

He can't see her, how does he know she's pretty?

You plunge yourself to it thoroughly.

What's the title?

'The Moon'.

'The Moon', so beautiful!

You've got a nice job,

you take her hand everyday.

How nice!

But I pity her,

if only she could see.

Miss Koto is unlike the others.

She's not blind,

she can see things with her heart.

You sound as if you were her lover.

So noisy, stop it!

Sasuke.

Enough!

You come here to learn business!

You're going to be a druggist!

Everybody is working hard for the master.

Not a musician!

Why play the samisen?

I'm sorry.

Where did you get it?

I saved my monthly allowance for that.