All Mixed Up AKA Swastika (Manji)

MANJI

If I could only write a little better...

I'd like to pen a sort of novel and show it to you.

But I know I'm incapable, that's why I've come here today.

I'm afraid I'm bothering you.

You really don't mind?

Let me see...

After leaving the university,

my husband opened a law office in Osaka.

Last year, in February, I think it was.

I imagine it embarrassed him to be financed by my family.

I didn't want to stay at home doing nothing.

I found an art school for ladies.

It's a small private school, and I began attending classes...

Original Story by Junichiro Tanizaki Screenplay by Kaneto Shindo

Photography by Setsuo Kobayashi

Film Editor Tatsuji Nakashizu

The Cast

Ayako Wakao Kyoko Kishida

Eiji Funakoshi Yusuke Kawazu

Kyu Sazanka Ken Mitsuda

Directed by Yasuzo Masumura

There were classes in Japanese and European art.

We were sketching the Goddess of Mercy.

The principal came in one day.

Yours doesn't look at all like this model.

What was your model?

I felt myself blushing.

I hadn't noticed it, myself, until then.

What he said quite surprised me.

I hadn't realized it but I was drawing Mitsuko Tokumitsu.

Please look.

A textile company president's daughter.

Mrs. Kakiuchi, who is your model?

Really? Doesn't it look like the model here?

And you think it does?

Yes, but I'm not very talented, so I could be wrong.

No, you draw very well.

But I just think the face looks like someone else.

Oh, just the face, you mean?

I drew my ideal face.

Then who is your ideal?

It's just an ideal, there is no real model.

To show the spirituality of the Goddess of Mercy.

Is that wrong?

I don't quite understand you.

If there's a resemblance or not, it's for art, for art's sake.

I don't think that's wrong.

If it does resemble someone, be so good as to tell me who.

My arguing with the principal made people talk.

Soon, there were rumors.

It was whispered that Mitsuko and I were lovers.

It was all so silly. I wasn't even angry.

But I thought perhaps...

Mitsuko would be upset by all the fuss.

I'd look in on her class.

One day, I ran into her in the powder room.

Mrs. Kakiuchi...

Some people are trying to trap us. Please be careful.

Who would that be?

This is hardly the place to talk.

Shall we go somewhere else?

Certainly. I'd be pleased to.

Listen, the principal started those rumors about us.

Why would he do that?

I'm supposed to marry into a very rich family.

I'm not too anxious, but the boy is.

A city assemblyman's daughter wants to marry him.

So we've become rivals.

Her father bribed the principal

to spread gossip about me.

How dreadful!

What a mean thing for a teacher to do!

You're not even married yet.

Be careful not to let people like that ruin you.

I don't care what's said about me.

I don't care, either.

Mrs. Kakiuchi, let's become friends and then we'll show them.

That's an excellent idea.

I'd like to see the principal's face.

Let's go to Nara on Sunday.

What a sensation if we're spotted!

Yes, let's! Let's do it!

I must thank you for something.

What?

I don't have to marry the man I don't love.

The gossip about us obviously worked.

The assemblyman's daughter must be happy.

We should both be grateful to you.

How secluded it is. I wouldn't dare come here alone.

But how nice with someone you like.

I'd love to stay, just like this.

Me, too.

Your husband doesn't mind?

He never interferes.

And I've told him all about you.

What did he say?

If you're so beautiful, he'd like to meet you.

It's finished. Take a look at it.

I can hardly believe you did it.

It's because I tried so hard.

Is this that Mitsuko? She really looks like this?

Enough to cause a sensation.

But she's really far more sensual.

A masterpiece. Have it framed, why don't you?

Have her come and see it after it's finished.

If it's to be framed, do it over again.

It's very good, of course.

The face is like mine, but the body's quite different...

In what way?

It's not that simple.

I can't explain it very well.

Then perhaps if I could see your naked body...

I don't mind but...

At your place then.

It's private here.

What a lovely room!

Such a nice double bed!

Marriage must be wonderful.

Yours will be far better than this.

Isn't this your marital bed?

Won't your husband scold you?

What does it matter? You're special.

The marital bed is sacred, so they say.

So is a virgin's body. So it's quite fitting.

Hurry and show me.

Someone might see. Close the windows.

I'll borrow a sheet.

Am I different from your picture?

What an exquisite body you have.

You're so beautiful. Why have you hid yourself until now?

It's too much! It's too much!

What's happened to you?

When I see something beautiful, I become so excited I cry.

Satisfied? I'll get dressed.

No, I want to see more!

Silly! There's no point in keeping this up.

Yes, there is!

You're not completely nude.

Take it off!

I wish you wouldn't...

I wish you'd stop it.

I thought you were my friend!

Forget it. We're no longer friends!

Have you taken leave of your senses?

I've never met anyone so cold!

You promised not to hide anything!

Why do you hide yourself? You're a liar!

I hate you...

Your body's so beautiful!

I could kill you for it.

Then kill me. Kill me!

I want to be slain by you.

It's not fair!

You saw my body but you won't show me yours.

It's not that...

Yours is so beautiful, I'm ashamed of mine.

Please don't be disgusted with it.

You're just as beautiful as I am.

Don't say anything you don't mean. I feel so small.

Please read these letters

we wrote to each other at that time.

Patter patter, patter patter. It is raining this fair night.

Patter patter, patter patter. What doth it whisper?

It whispers, Mitsuko Mitsu, Mitsu, Mitsu...

Without realizing it, I had written "Mitsuko," over and over again.

From my thumb to my little finger.

Forgive me for doing something so silly.

Dearest, I'm always moody on Sundays.

Why? Because I can't see you all day

I telephoned but you'd gone out with your husband.

It's cruel! It's too much!

I'm crying. I fee! so lonely

It makes me bitter! But I won't say any more!

You're mean!

It finally transpired. What I 'd been expecting finally happened.

Our stormy marital spat would've surprised you, if you'd seen it.

Please forgive me for my use of "marital".

Kiyo, bring the tea upstairs.

Kiyo says you and Mitsuko are very intimate.

What does that mean?

I like Mitsuko very much. We're friends.

I know that. But in what way?

It's just a feeling, that's all.

There are many kinds of friendship.

I'd prefer you didn't discuss my friends!

You find your own friends and leave me alone!

If it's an ordinary friendship, I don't mind.

You rarely go to school now. And you write those odd letters.

In a normal friendship, you wouldn't shut yourself up.

What a strange thing to say.

It just shows you have a vulgar mind!

Vulgar? Then is your conscience clear?

Yes! Love between women is like the love of a work of art.

If that's abnormal, what are you?

Then why be so secretive? Why shut me out?

And don't lie. You're not painting.

What are you up to?

Visit a studio. Watch an artist at work.

He doesn't work every minute.