House on Fire (火宅の人)

There is a metaphor for...

...describing a man in the grip of passions

and pursued by doubt,

which is "A Burning House".

HOUSE ON FIRE

Hurry up!

We'll miss the train!

Quickly now.

You alright?

You stupid bitch!

Dolt!

Had enough! Get home!

Your father...

...is not well.

We'll just have to grit our teeth.

Okay?

When you have a man and a woman,

sometimes there's love

And sometimes hate.

With my parents the way they were,

I learnt this at an early age.

Soon after, the severance occurred.

Mother fell in love...

...with a young student.

She was at her most radiant.

I saw a change come over her.

Young as I was,

I sensed some mystical force...

...slowly influenced my mother

who bore so much

and took her from us

Kazuo.

A word.

You're a sturdy lad

and care so much for your sisters.

Don't cry

if we never meet again.

Because I won't

Mother.

You're going away with him?

When you grow up, you'll understand.

Mother!

Our mother abandoned us

and went far away.

Perhaps Mother had her pain,

but as abandoned children,

our resentment of her came naturally.

Anyway back to the today of 40 years on,

driven by an unreasonable passion,

betraying my wife and children,

I go sallying, alone with a young lady.

Mr. Katsura!

Give me the bag.

Thank you.

Sorry, I couldn't get a cab.

I was so flustered.

Glad you make it.

We're moving.

What's wrong?

I come after all.

Is it the right thing to do?

Yes, I'm glad you come

Let's go.

Let's sit down

Yes.

Excuse me,

I'll go powder my face.

I've known Keiko close on ten years.

We're both from Kyushu.

We met when she came...

...with a letter of introduction.

It's poor fare,

but please.

Thank you.

You want to be an actress?

Yes.

Any experience?

Yes.

Two years at a small theater in Hakata.

As a writer

I know little of the lives of performers.

But you could have...

...ended up alone

Alone?

Marriage is out of the question.

You can't have children.

That's what I don't want.

It's a hard craft...

...to make a living at.

Then I'll work

Please introduce me to a bar.

Think you can improve your craft...

...while working in a bar?

I hear many do.

A girl talking in mother's dialect.

I became fond of her.

Welcome. Come in.

Is she the new girl?

How do you do?

Congratulations. First day at work.

Super! What is it?

Such fine weather.

Why do I feel so elated? I know not why.

When I realize today is my birthday

such elation!

Recalling my youth

when mother was alive.

And then such wonderful ideas...

I am absolutely ecstatic.

It is a wonderful world.

Watch.

What...?

Pray tell me

why am I so filled with happiness?

As if sailing...

...on the sea.

Above is...

...the bright blue sky,

where a big white bird flies.

She's a ham.

Hmm?

Sorry, but we're leaving.

Finished, has it?

Ass!

Ham, he said? And he left?

I was up there doing my best

and he said that!

Isn't it better than...

...asinine praise?

An actress thrives on...

...praise.

There is a common saying

even a pig climbs better

when praised

Who needs criticism?

Is that so?

You know only how to write

but nothing else

I'm sorry.

Nasty! Sayonara.

Her innocence was so lovable.

She knew my affections for her,

so she sometimes helped me...

...with urgent deadlines.

Caught a cold, have you?

Blow your nose.

Just your work moves me.

You're brilliant at capturing children.

You mustn't!

I was kidding.

Ah...

Welcome.

He's here!

Katsura!

Congratulations!

You won the Naoki Prize!

How do you feel about it?

Keiko's joy...

...meant more to me than...

...the prize.

I rued the fact that we were yet to be lovers.

I feared she'd flee

if I tried.

But today,

I'm taking her north to Aomori.

Directing our destinies...

...towards a catalyst.

The reason...

...was a sorrow

which marred last summer.

Wake up, dear!

Jiro's taking a fit.

Called the doctor?

Yes.

He's on his way now.

But it looks serious.

Come on, quickly!

Jiro!

Phenobarbital!

Yes.

Doctor,

will he be alright?

I'd like him hospitalized immediately.

What's your diagnosis?

His neck has knotted.

Possibly meningitis.

Even if cured problems remain,

don't they?

With paralysis

or idiocy.

Be thankful he's alive.

Just do what we can.

Right...

Jiro's life was spared.

But as Yoriko feared,

paralysis and idiocy remained.

A year passed.

Daddy.

Daddy! Jiro's back!

Hurry! Hurry!