Marital Relations (Meoto Zenzai / 夫婦善哉) (夫婦善哉)

A GEIJUTSUSAI PRODUCTION (1955)

Toho Films presents

Marital Relations

Produced by Ichiro Sato

Script by Toshio Yasumi after a story by Sakunosuke Orita

Photography by Mitsuo Miura & Music by Ikuma Dan

Staring

Hisaya Morishige and Chikage Awashima

Yoko Tsukasa ETC

The Shop is called Izumoya

Directed by Shiro Toyoda

Round about year seven of the Showa period (1932/33)

(shop sign for perfumes, soaps and so on... wholesale)

(Reads customer delivery information from list)

Welcome back.

You need to sweep the place...

This can go on the fire.

Yes Sir.

Thank you for your custom. This is Izumoya.

Shall I ask the Master?

Yes. The young master.

I see. Thank you.

Get me Ebisu 897 please.

Chosuke, what's all this about the young master?

He's been disinherited and has disappeared.

Maybe he's with that girl in Shinmachi (red light area).

He sent the geisha some sandals.

The straps are snake skin. They're expensive.

He added a letter saying how much he wanted to meet her...

Did the master see it?

Unfortunately he did ...Oh hello.

This is...

Stop!

The phone costs money to use.

Chosuke!

Get off the phone.

It costs money!

Aren't you ever satisfied? It's fine now. Look!

I don't care what anyone says. He's disinherited.

He's a total fool.

The young master seems in real trouble...

Listen to me.

Ryukichi is nothing to do with me now.

Look at these.

Father...

He sent them... to that Geisha.

He's still infatuated with her.

It's going to be hard going.

The business will go bankrupt.

This Koreyasu family business.

It will end up bankrupt!

But surely disinheriting him can still be avoided.

There's no avoiding it.

He's disinherited.

I disown him!

Atami (coastal hot spring resort)

Atami is boring. It's so run down.

I've had it with the place.

Yes I know. But even Tokyo is tricky for us it seems.

Everyone is being so unhelpful.

Such an unfriendly place.

So we're completely finished.

It's tough being on the run like this.

I wanted to make you comfortable here but...

You telling me that makes me forget my tiredness.

Shall I pour you a drink?

Let me do the service.

OK

I want the new girl to do it.

Sorry. Go ahead.

If you need anything please feel free to use the phone over there.

Have fun.

Thanks.

"Please feel free to use ..." what the hell does that mean?

Tokyo women are so unsexy.

So how much money did you manage to collect from your customers?

Don't worry. I'll sort it out.

That's enough.

No, let me make it tidy.

Shall we have a drink?

Choko...

Shall we get some geisha?

What?

What's the problem? Show them a true Osaka geisha spirit!

How can you be so relaxed about things?

We eloped together.

And we have to think about the future...

Don't worry. It'll be easy.

Let's go to bed early instead.

What's the hurry? You'll get worn out.

Don't be silly.

Ouch. That hurt. You really are...

It hurts. Look the light is swaying!

Like it can't bear to watch!

What shall we do?

It's an earthquake. A big one.

Not that way. It's dangerous.

It's a big one. A big one.

Get under here.

Choko!

Kinpachi, it's been such a long time.

You've really caused a stir.

Where did you elope to?

I'm sorry for calling and getting you to come but...

Let's go. Where's the Inn?

I'm finished with working as a geisha.

Have you gone mad?

He was disinherited for my sake.

We're abandoning everything so we can live together.

That's what he's told me.

I'm envious.

Don't say that.

Where's Ryukichi?

He said he was going to look in the shops.

Has he duped you?

Don't be so suspicious.

You can't stay this close all the time.

He's not coming back. I'm sure of it.

Let's go.

You really think so?

You think so?

Here's an extra one.

What about the money? Didn't you bring any?

I'll put it on the tab again I suppose.

Choko, what are you doing here?

You shouldn't be here.

Sorry.

A message came from the geisha house saying you'd run away.

Has something good happened?

They're really worried about you.

They thought you'd been sold off by some bad guy.

They were worried whether you were still alive.

I'm glad you're here. Come on in.

Look dad... this guy...

Dear! Dear!

Darling.

He's my... errr ..

I'm...

Welcome!

This kimono is great, It's really stylish.

I'm glad it fits. My husband is so slight in build.

Thank you for your kindness to our daughter.

Please... it is rather I who should thank you.

Pass me my cigarettes.

Dad, I'm giving up being a geisha.

I see. You can do what you like.

What about our debt to the geisha house?

That's not really...

Well actually... that's...

I'll apply to my father and get him to pay it.

Well if you can do that for us...

Keep quiet you fool.

But you're a married man with kids and you've been having an affair with my daughter.

I would be embarrassing to meet your father.

My wife is unwell and has been back with her parents for two years now.

I suppose I can say that Choko was very sympathetic.

Weren't you!

Well... I suppose so.

Please look after our daughter.

She's never been ill - apart from measles.

Her body, as I am sure you have seen, is unblemished.

We worked very hard to bring her up.

Indeed and I appreciate it.

It's nothing much but I made them myself.

He's not going to eat that kind of thing, is he?

How do you know?

I'd be delighted.

OK

Is this renkon (lotus root)?

That's right.

It's delicious.

Good.

Deep fried?

He's a bit of a gourmet.

See, he knows!

I'll do some more for you.

Can I have some soy sauce too.

I'll make some tea.

Are these potato?

Eating with both hands is rude.

Put it down.

Mum, bring chopsticks.

OK

I've eaten nothing since this morning. I'm starving.

Don't complain about trifles.

The toilet stinks. I can't eat.

Chosuke at least should have got in touch with me by now.

You're not still thinking about home?

No but you know...

Be consistent. You gave it up.

That so-called home won't let you over the threshold after a week away.

My kid would be home from school by now.

Don't talk like that.

I really don't like you sometimes.

Please don't do that. I'll end up bruised all over.

Goldfish for sale!

At Sakuratei Inn you say... You wanted three young ones?

Including one who plays the Shamisen. Of course. Thank you.

See you later.

You'd better hurry.