Kyoto Story (京都太秦物語)

A love story jointly presented by Shochiku, Ritsumeikan University

and the people of Kyoto Uzumasa's Daiei Shopping Street,

who share a passion for the renaissance of film. - Yoji Yamada

Heading west down Sanjo Street, Kyoto, you soon pass

the Koryuji Temple, renowned for its status of Bodhisattva,

before arriving at Uzumasa.

Once this town was called the "Hollywood of the Orient."

There were many film studios back then.

Daiei Shopping Street

Many great Japanese films, including Kurosawa's Rashomon

and Mizoguchi's Ugetsu, were shot at the Daiei Studios.

Machiko Kyo, the female lead of Rashomon and Ugetsu

Daiei Studios used to be around here.

The studio no longer exists.

But its name still remains, as does the pride of the local people.

Morning at the Daiei Shopping Street.

The story begins at the Higashide Laundry.

Good morning, Kyoko.

Good morning.

It's getting cooler.

Let's eat.

Thanks for the food!

I'm done.

Chie, finish your meal.

I'm off.

She spilled her miso soup.

I used to work around the clock.

Kotaro Higashide, Higashide Laundry late at night and early in the mornings.

I had to pay off my debts.

I had to pay off my debts.

I had a family, children, and a business to look after.

I had no choice.

I didn't get much sleep back then.

- I'm off. - Take care.

- Dad, I'm leaving. - Take care.

How's your husband?

He's still recovering, but he won't stop smoking.

Same with my dad.

I wish he'd quit.

I like my job, so I've been able to keep it up.

We get by.

Have you eaten?

Yes, I have.

Mum, I'm off.

Do you have lunch money?

Yes, of course.

Good morning.

See you.

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled...

Where are you going so early?

I have an audition in Osaka.

Where's the peck of pickled poppers Peter Piper picked?

Do you have lunch money?

You sound like Mum. She just asked me that.

Good luck.

Kota!

Don't forget your lucky gesture.

Executive Producer: Yoji Yamada

Produced by Toyomi Nagata, Suketsugu Noda

Screenplay: Yoji Yamada. Tomoaki Sasae

Producer: Ichiro Yamamoto

Cinematography: Masashi Chikamori Recording: Kazumi Kishida

Art Director: Takashi Nishimura Lighting: Masato Tsuchiyama

Music: Harumi Fuuki Assistant Director: Yasataka Maehara

Costume: Kazuo Matsuda Sound Effects: Yukio Hokari

KYOTO STORY

Directed by Yoji Yamada & Tsutomu Abe

Mr. Enoki, here you are.

Ancient Chinese Instructions Vol. 7 and 8 are both out now.

When are they due back?

February 15th next year.

Next year?

No way!

I'm a visiting scholar and only have 4 weeks to go.

Could you call and ask for them back?

I can't do that.

Why not?

Because that's "private information."

Can't you do anything?

I'll finish them within a week.

Then, why don't you use library "recall?"

They'll be temporarily returned, then we can lend them to you.

Please. You should have said so earlier.

Only a few at this university could read this book.

If you give me the name, I'll ask him myself.

Is it Prof. Takemoto?

That's private information.

Private information?

Alright. I see.

The books are valuable, so procedures are complicated.

Sorry for any trouble.

Not at all. It's not your fault.

Sorry I was impolite.

Are you alright?

I'm fine.

Please return the cart later.

Thank you very much.

He left this shoe.

Your shoe.

May I ask your name?

No, that's private information, right?

It's private information.

I've loved books since I was little.

Becoming a librarian was my dream.

I want to work at the library all my life if possible.

But I'm just a part-timer now.

My father must have wanted a son.

I appreciate my parents for raising me.

Boyfriend?

That's private information.

Hello. Mr. Yoshida.

Hi there, what's up?

Auditioning for a TV show.

Good luck.

Thank you.

"The Soy Beans," you're on.

Hello, everyone. We are The Soy Beans.

We're stand-up comics now, but I really wanted be a musician.

I want to be a rapper.

Oh, a kappa ?

No, a kappa is a monster.

I said "rapper," a musician, you know?

I wanted to be a rapper, too.

- Can you rap? - Of course.

Okay, let's rap against each other.

Are you sure?

What are you doing?

I'm just rapping, you know.

Come on, just join in.

- Okay. - Here we go!

Cool! That's great!

Let's drop a hot one!

Idiot! Not that kind of "hot!"

The lyrics have to somehow criticize society.

- I got it. - Really?

Let's do it.

Hey!

Sorry, forgot a line.

I really messed up.

Forget it. Let's go have ramen.

I was hopeless.

Cheer up.

More fried tofu, please.

I'll give you a special one at the same price.

Thank you.

- I'm home. - Welcome back.

How was the audition?

Why don't you answer?

He must have failed.

I inherited my father's tofu shop 25 years ago.

Kazuhito Yanase, Hiromi Yanase I have no regrets about life as a shopkeeper.

But I want my son to have his own life.

If he can make a living out of it,

I think he should live as he wishes.

It'll be very sad if we have to close the shop

because our son won't inherit it.

But I won't force him into taking up the mantle.

That's entirely up to him.

I agree with my husband.

But, I'd be very happy if he did.

My dad said that?

Kota Yanase I've been thinking about my future.

I've been thinking about my future.

I've known I should talk to my father for a long time.

But it's hard to bring it up.

The words are on the tip of his tongue.

But he's never had the courage to speak out.

I see. So my father said that.

Here you are. You did well.

I'm back.

Kyoko is here.

Kota came to see you.

I wonder why.

Mum, I'll have dinner later.

Wow, looks delicious!

Does Kota still want to become a comedian?

Mum, entertainers are more respected than you think.

Comedians are very popular nowadays.

Famous actresses marry them.

The president of the USA was an actor.

Schwarzenegger!

Or was it Bush?

That was Reagan.

What's wrong?

Nabe wants to break up our comedy duo.

Really?

He's going back to help his father's business.

He promised his dad he would if he failed the audition.

He told me nothing, that idiot.

Ha betrayed me.

Damn it.

No point in blaming him.

Much better if you concentrate on your future.

Why don't you try a solo act?

Solo?

You always used to make people laugh on your own.

How?

You imitated Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.

That was hilarious. You had us laughing in pain.

- Really? - Yes, sure.