Oshin (おしん)

Oshin wanted to follow the stream of the Mogami

Kei followed without a word.

Oshin looked so intense, starring at the river,

that Kei was stunned.

This river must be

a source of memories for Oshin.

Probably, sad and bitter ones.

Kei looked at Oshin with sympathy.

I got it!

I got it!

I did get it, didn't I?

It's mine, I caught it!

Get lost, it's my rod!

But I caught it. It's my fish.

Get away!

Why can't I have my fish?

Grandma's ill, it's for her.

Give it to me!

You're just a girl, stupid.

Silly girl!

The water's freezing.

- You'll catch your death! - You should take care.

I wanted to get Grandma a fish.

You went fishing?

Grandma doesn't eat because of her illness.

I thought she might like a fish.

There you are.

You should behave like a girl.

Don't go fishing with boys.

- I feel sorry for Grandma. - Oshin!

It was me who caught that fish.

All right then.

Would you help me with lunch?

Grandma...

Please eat your food.

Otherwise, Oshin will be worried.

I don't need to.

I don't work enough to get hungry.

I'd rather give it to Oshin.

Fuji...

You work so hard all day in the field.

If you don't eat, your body will wear out.

You're going to have a baby, right?

I'll get lunch ready.

Quick, let's go.

Don't go fishing any more.

I don't even like fish.

You must be hungry after all this.

Run along, get your lunch.

Please have some, Grandma.

It's only mine.

Oshin!

I feel much better now.

I thought you couldn't eat

because of your illness.

You work too, Grandma.

You're doing needlework right now.

You've been working hard too.

I know it very well.

Please eat it.

No one's watching. They've all gone to work.

Oshin...

Mother!

Are you still there?

Grandma...

Please listen to Oshin.

We'll feed you somehow.

Grandma...

Grandma says,

if we send Oshin to work,

she'll cut down her meals to one a day,

so that Oshin can stay at home.

Grandma...

You don't have to do this to keep Oshin at home.

- I won't let her go. - Grandma!

I'll go to Father and plead for you.

However long I live, I'm no use to anyone.

I can't even die.

I'll be cursed if I eat what's not mine.

But Oshin is young.

Don't worry about me.

Just give Oshin as much as she needs.

You... You foolish Grandma!

Doing such a thing for me!

Oshin...

It's all right.

We'll take care of our dear Grandma.

I'll look after her.

"The family is so poor that if I eat all I want,

"Grandma will hesitate before eating."

Mere child though she was, Oshin realised this.

Then I felt extremely sad.

I saw that there wasn't enough food for all of us.

A non-working person, like Grandma,

had to live modestly.

Finally I understood

why my sisters went off to work.

It's cruel, isn't it?

And these old people had to bear it.

It's like leaving them to their fate.

It must have been hard for Grandma.

But it must have been hell for Mother

to provide for everyone.

I thought then...

that I was seeing real hell.