Tokyo Story Page #6

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You as well.

Listen, Father,

I don't like her condition.

I see...

What do you mean?

I mean it's dangerous.

The fact that she's still in a coma

isn't a good sign.

I see...

Did the trip to Tokyo exhaust her

and bring this on?

I don't think so. She was so lively

in Tokyo. Wasn't she?

- It might've caused it.

- So what is it, then?

She may not live till tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow morning?

It'll probably happen around dawn.

I see...

She's not going to live.

Mother's 68, isn't she?

So...she's not going to live.

That's what I think.

I see...

So this is the end?

That's all.

Then Keizo won't be in time, will he?

Life's too short, isn't it?

She was so lively, too.

She must've had a feeling

this would happen.

Perhaps.

Still, I'm glad she came to Tokyo.

We were able to see her alive.

And we talked about many things.

Noriko, did you bring

any mourning clothes?

- No.

- You should've brought some.

Do you have any, Kyoko?

No, I don't.

You'll have to borrow some, then.

And get some for Noriko, too.

At least mother died peacefully

and without suffering at all.

I wonder if that's Keizo.

How is she?

So...I wasn't in time.

I was afraid of that.

Good day.

Unfortunately,

I was out of town on business.

I'm sorry I'm late.

- The telegram came while I was away.

- Really?

How awful...

When was it?

This morning...at 3:15.

I see...

If I'd taken the 8:40 train from

Kagoshima, I would've been in time.

Keizo, look at her.

See how peaceful she is.

Forgive my delay.

Where's father?

I wonder.

Father...

- Keizo has just arrived.

- Has he?

It was such a beautiful dawn.

It's going to be another hot day today.

What's the matter?

I can't stand that sound.

Why?

As I hear it, I feel as if my mother

were becoming smaller, bit by bit.

I wasn't a very good son.

It's time to offer incense

I can't lose her now.

"One cannot serve one's parents

beyond the grave"

We used to watch fireworks

from this room, didn't we, Father?

Oh, did we?

On the night of the town festival.

- Remember, Keizo?

- No, I don't.

You were so excited,

but after sunset you fell asleep.

With your head on mother's lap.

I really don't remember.

What were you doing

in those days, Father?

I was head of the city's

board of education, I believe.

Were you?

A long time ago, wasn't it?

Once we all went to Omishima

during the spring holidays.

Oh, that I do remember.

- Mother got seasick.

- Yes, I remember that.

She was so full of life then.

How old was she then? Forty...?

Forty-two or forty-three, I think.

You have to take good care

of yourself now, Father...

...and enjoy a long life.

Thank you.

Some more?

More, sis?

It may sound heartless to say so...

...but I rather wish father had died first.

If Kyoko gets married,

he'll be left all alone.

Maybe.

We could've looked

after mother in Tokyo.

Kyoko, did mother still have

that grey summer sash?

- Yes.

- I'd like it as a memento.

- Is that all right, Brother?

- Why not?

And also...

...that linen kimono

she used to wear in summer?

- It's here.

- I want that, too.

You know where it is?

Get it out for me.

It's all over now.

Thank you all for coming so far

and giving up your precious time.

Thank you.

She would've been pleased

to know Koichi looked after her.

I didn't really do anything.

I remember when we went

to Atami from Tokyo...

...she had a dizzy spell.

- Oh?

- It didn't seem that serious.

Really? Why didn't you tell us, Father?

You should've told Koichi at least.

I guess I should have.

But that wasn't the cause.

Mother was overweight,

so the illness came on suddenly.

I see...

It's just like a dream.

- When are you leaving, Brother?

- I can't stay long.

Me neither.

Shall we take the express tonight?

- What about you, Keizo?

- I can stay.

- Let's leave tonight, then.

- Right.

Noriko, you'll stay with father

a bit longer, won't you?

- Yes.

- No, you're busy. I'll be fine.

I might as well go, then.

I have to make a report.

And there's that baseball match, too.

Well, thanks for coming

when you're so busy.

You'll be lonely now, Father.

I'll get used to it.

Kyoko, pass me some more rice.

Get the train tickets for us,

will you, Keizo?

Yes. Rice for me, too.

I hope the train's empty.

Father, you mustn't drink too much.

I'll be all right.

So, you're all going home?

- Here's your lunch.

- Thank you so much.

Thanks for letting me stay.

Come and see me in Tokyo

in your summer holidays.

- Do you have to go home today?

- Yes, I must.

Really?

- Sorry I can't see you off.

- That's all right.

Do come and see me

in the summer holidays.

I'm so glad you stayed.

I think my brothers and sister

should have stayed a bit longer.

But they're very busy.

They're just selfish.

Demanding things

and then leaving just like that.

That can't be helped.

They have work to get back to.

But you have yours too.

- They think only of themselves.

- But Kyoko...

Asking for mementos of mother

right after her death!

I felt so sorry for poor mother.

Even strangers would have been

more considerate.

But look, Kyoko,

I thought so too when I was your age.

But, as children get older,

they drift away from their parents.

A woman has her own life,

apart from her parents...

...when she becomes Shige's age.

So she meant no harm, I'm sure.

They have their own lives to look after.

I wonder...

But I won't ever be like that.

Otherwise what's the point

of being part of a family?

You're right.

But all children become like that

eventually.

You, too?

I may become like that,

in spite of myself.

Isn't life disappointing?

Yes, nothing but disappointment.

- Well, I should get going.

- Goodbye, then.

Father, I'm leaving now.

- Take care of yourself.

- Thank you. You, too.

Come and see me

in the summer holidays.

Goodbye, then.

- Goodbye.

- See you soon.

- Goodbye.

- Goodbye.

Has Kyoko left?

Father, I'm leaving

on the afternoon train.

Oh? You're going home?

Thank you for everything.

Please, I didn't do anything.

- You've been a great help.

- Not at all.

My wife told me

how kind you were to her...

...when she stayed

at your place in Tokyo.

Not at all.

I didn't have much to offer.

Well, she really meant it.

She told me that evening with you

was her happiest time in Tokyo.

- I want to thank you, too.

- Not at all.

She was so worried

about your future.

You mustn't go on like this.

Don't worry about me.

You should get remarried

if you meet the right man.

Just forget about Shoji.

It pains me to see you

living like this.

No, it's not like that.

She said she'd never met

a nicer woman than you

I'm sure she was overestimating me.

She certainly wasn't.

I'm not the nice woman

she thought I was.

It embarrasses me that

you should think of me like that.

Well, it shouldn't.

Really, I can be quite selfish.

I'm not always thinking of your late son,

though you may think I am.

You should just forget him.

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