Yama no oto Page #3

he raises hell.

He always asks her friend to sing for him

I never realised

he had such a drinking habit...

She sings beautifully,

and Kinuko always ends up weeping.

Eh?

That is why, I think, Kinuko will listen to

this friend.

If Shuichi finds out about this,

I'll never be able to face him again.

You must let me resign.

It's just around that corner.

I don't want to show my face.

I'm sorry for all the trouble...

...but let's not do this today.

Why not? You've come this far.

Wouldn't it be worth it

if it brought you peace at home?

Knowing Fusako, I bet she won't have

brought enough nappies for the kids.

- Shall we make some up for her?

- Let's do that.

Morning!

What brings you here so early?

You remember Mizuta

who died recently?

Mizuta? Yes. We all received

some fine tea as a funeral gift.

I've got a taste for it now.

High-quality stuff, wasn't it?

I tell you, I wouldn't mind

going the way he did ...

...dying in the arms of a beautiful woman

while bathing at a spa!

There's hope for you yet!

Yeah, but my blood pressure

isn't so high.

"Old as I am,

I regret never climbing Mt. Fuji."

What do you think?

"Old as I am,

I regret never climbing Mt. Fuji."

Is it a dirty joke?

Don't be so daft!

What?

I suppose life's a lottery, isn't it?

If you end up stuck with a dreadful wife,

wouldn't you want to top yourself?

I guess so.

- What brings you here?

- Eh? Oh, yeah...

I was asked whether I wanted to buy

this mask from Mizuta's estate.

Have a look. It's a Noh mask.

It's supposed to be a child.

Hey, put this over your face, would you?

You want me to put it on?

Like this?

Slowly turn your face upwards.

And now, look down slowly.

What do you think?

Seems it has a life of its own.

Welcome home.

You must be tired.

Thanks for having us again.

Satoko! Come inside.

Satoko...

- Is the bath ready?

- Yes.

I feel it's my fault if you decide

to resign from the company.

It was insensitive of me to make you

take me to that woman's house.

It was awful.

But you're only doing

what any father would do.

I feel slightly depraved...

...tagging along with him

to that woman's house.

My behaviour has been unacceptable.

But hardly depraved, though.

If I do have to resign...

...then I'll go and talk to Kinuko

as a farewell gesture.

There's no need for that.

I just don't understand him.

I would never feel jealous about him

and his wife if they got along well.

But his fooling around with Kinuko

really disgusts me.

Maybe he wants something more

than his wife can give him.

Like what?

Whenever he talks about his wife,

he says she's just like a child.

A child?

Yes. In so many ways.

He says that to you?

Yes.

He says it to me and to Kinuko.

"She's a child,

that's why my father's so fond of her."

But he hasn't said it recently.

He can't force his young wife

to act like a prostitute.

What a fool!

He said it would work...

...if he fooled around with other women.

You've talked about this with him?

Welcome back home.

- Out shopping?

- Yes.

- Fusako's back.

- I see.

Special dinner tonight!

- Don't be long!

- I won't!

Kikuko? Kikuko!

- Yes?

- Will you bring the persimmons through?

Coming!

Read to me, Mummy

You can read it yourself.

- These are sweet.

- Are they?

These two are just silently

knocking it back.

Father hasn't drunk that much, has he?

I've been thinking...

...about Father's life.

Eh? What exactly about my life?

I'm only thinking in very broad terms...

...but if I were pushed

to make a conclusion...

...has your life

been a success or a failure?

And you think you know which?

Well, if a man manages to live his life

without much strife, then it's a success.

You're right, there.

But success or failure as a parent

is a different matter.

That's judged on the success

or failure of their children's marriages.

And it seems I've failed.

You really think so, Father?

Just stop that, you two. Fusako's here.

Mummy, I'm tired.

Me, too.

What's happened, Kikuko?

- Nosebleed?

- Yes.

Kneel down

When it stops bleeding,

go to rest. It's still early.

I'm sorry...

- Are you feeling dizzy?

- Just a little.

- Get some rest this morning

- I will.

A cool breeze was blowing when I went

out for the papers and I feel better now.

A woman's nosebleed

is nothing to worry about.

Well, it was serious.

You were up early this morning, Father.

I've no idea why I woke up

before the temple bell rang.

You're up, too, Satoko?

"As a pilgrim I wander...

..."and offer thanks

for the grace of my parents..."

You know that scar

on Kikuko's forehead?

Of course.

It was made by the doctor's forceps

during her difficult birth.

She probably never felt

any suffering at birth...

...but the scar shows

whenever she seems in pain.

She had a nosebleed this morning, right?

The scar shows

when she looks pallid, that's all.

- You knew about it?

- She told me this morning.

So what?

I've been wanting

to talk to you about Kikuko.

Look, I'm dealing with the situation,

so there's nothing for you to say.

I have been trying not to say anything.

Off to see my father?

Yes.

- This is Miss Ikeda.

- I'm Mr Ogata.

Pleased to meet you.

Shall we go somewhere else?

This place is fine with me.

Very well.

- Miss Ikeda has come especially.

- I'm very grateful.

Miss Ikeda also thinks

that your son must leave Kinuko.

Really?

- Some lunch?

- We've eaten.

Coffee, then?

Coffees.

As I live with Kinuko...

...I feel partly to blame for the situation.

Few women nowadays would give up

a man simply because he's married.

Kinuko always says

to Shuichi whenever they get drunk...

..."Go tell your wife that!

"It's not like you've gone away to war.

"She knows you'll be coming home.

"Even if you have affairs, she should be

glad that at least you come home!"

That's absurd talk.

Yes. But she's drunk

whenever she says it.

But your son is just as bad.

Shuichi completely loses control

of himself.

He's always forcing Kinuko to sing.

So I was told.

Kinuko hates singing...

...so I end up singing in her place

to placate him.

If she doesn't, he goes crazy

and the neighbours... Right?

After Shuichi has left to go home...

...Kinuko often says that the whole

torrid affair will be the ruin of her.

All the more reason why they should

split. She can support herself.

Kinuko is a dressmaker.

A dressmaker?

She's highly regarded at the shop.

She's never troubled Shuichi

for any financial support.

I believe you.

Couldn't he and his wife

live separately from you?

If just he and his wife lived together...

...I'm sure it'd be easier for him

to leave Kinuko.

If they don't move out and

get their own place, then I shall.

It's better for you to stay here with us.

No way. I'll go elsewhere.

That'd be better, right?

The situation has nothing to do with you.

Oh, yes, it has!

It has a great deal to do with me.

My husband said

my character was deeply flawed...

...because father never

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes