Maadadayo (1993) - full transcript
This film tells the story of professor Uehida Hyakken-sama (1889-1971), in Gotemba, around the forties. He was a university professor until an air raid, when he left to become a writer and has to live in a hut. His mood has hardly changed, not by the change nor by time. Every year his students celebrate his birthday, issuing the question "Mahda kai?" (not yet?), just to hear Uehida-san's answer "Madada yo!" (No, not yet!), in a ritual of self affirmation, and desires of lasting forever. It's a very "japanese" film who portrays everyday life and customs in Japan.
MADADAYO
He's coming.
Attention.
Bow.
Be seated.
Someone's been smoking.
No smoking in the classroom.
Still...
it is difficult to resist the urge.
l, too, am no exception.
When l hear the bell in the faculty
room, l try to leave...
But then l get the urge to smoke.
l light cigarette.
Soon l light another,...
then another.
So you see, l am always 20
or 30 minutes late.
But, Professor, what's with
you today?
lt is already 30 odd years... since l've
been addressed as ''Professor''.
During that time...
as if watching water running
from an open faucet...
onto a dirt floor and
into a ditch...
students have drifted away in
front of my eyes.
lt is impossible to remember
each and every face.
Ah, yes.
That l remember clearly to
this day.
The face belongs to one...
who slept during class with
his eyes open.
Hey, Takayama.
Yes.
That dozing expert was
your father.
By the way, gentlemen.
Today is the last day for me to
be called ''Professor''.
As of today...
l am resigning my professorship.
My books...
have somehow become salable.
l can live by writing.
l must admit l do not dislike
teaching...
but as the proverb...''He who runs after
two hares will catch neither''...
l have decided to quit teaching.
Professor.
Even if you quit... you are
our professor.
My father, too, was an alumnus of
this school. So were his friends.
Even to this day,... they call
you professor.
They also say you are solid gold.
Solid gold?
A lump of gold with no impurities.
lt means you are the true.
You are the German professor,... but
you have taught us more.
l feel you have taught us many
precious things.
TOKYO, 1943.
This is the house our
professor moved into...
after he quit school.
Ma'am, put the professor away
somewhere. He's in the way.
Darling.
Put that in the entrance hall.
The entrance hall will be
my study.
At the same time, l will be
the gatekeeper...
to protect the house from
invasion...
by a motley crowd like you.
RECElVlNG DAYS: 1ST AND
15TH OF THE MONTH
VlSlTORS ON OTHER
DAYS PROHlBlTED
l hope it is all right.
What is?
This house.
The rent is cheaper than l expected.
l knew there was something fishy.
When l went to order noodles today,...
the shop lady told me...
this house has been burglarized
quite frequently.
So none have settled
down very long.
And it was vacant for a while.
The heck with burglars.
There's nothing worth
stealing here.
Still... l'm somehow scared.
Don't worry. No burglar
will break in.
Definitely won't.
Since l was a child... l've been so
afraid of burglars.
l've given much thought on how
to prevent burglars.
And l have hammered out a method
to prevent them.
Did you really, professor?
Yes, l did.
One o'clock. Bewitching hour.
Hour for the burglars.
l'll go over this wall and open
the side door.
Sneak in here.
Wait a minute.
Aren't we acting like burglars?
We became worried about what
madam told us.
We're here to examine the
precautionary measures.
The only way to check is to sneak
in like real burglars.
Take a look at that.
What a plight!
''Don't worry'', he said.
Didn't he boast on being an
expert on burglars?
BURGLAR'S ENTRANCE
BURGLAR'S PASSAGE
BURGLAR'S RECESS AREA
BURGLAR'S EXlT
That was a clean score.
l had to steal this to get even.
lsn't that the professor's hat?
l heard he wore this when he was
an instructor in the army.
He shouldn't need this anymore.
As a reminder of this day...
What'll we do about the side door?
What about it?
lt's unlocked.
lt has to be locked. You'd better
go over the wall.
lt's unsafe.
You're right.
lt's good.
Come down.
Come down.
-What is it?
-Someone's coming.
Darn it! lt's a cop!
Can we leave the side
door like that?
Sure. With those signs, nothing
will be stolen.
Our professor is something.
Yes, he's solid gold.
Professor!
We have happily come upon
receiving your invitation.
Come right on in.
We can't with you sitting there.
You look like a scribe or a
fortune-teller.
Literary men somewhat
are the same.
This must be a defense measure
to keep away the visitors.
Besides, who wants to stay if he's
reading this kind of thing?
BY SHOKUSANJlN
(Haiku poet)
''Annoyance is to have visitors...
''Nonetheless, this does
not imply you''
''By the host.
''Delight is to have visitors.
''Nonetheless, this does not
imply you''.
There aren't enough cushions...
so l'll be the one to use it.
l think that's rude to
the guests.
But, oh, well.
What do you mean rude?
You barge into my house,... remove
all the sliding doors...
Fine guests you are.
Professor, it's not a visiting day.
What's happening today?
lt's a special day today.
A special day?
lt's the day l have become a
genuine old man.
lt is my 60th birthday.
l have become 60 years old.
l that true?
lf we had known that... we would have
invited you to a great banquet.
Come, come. Don't say that.
lt's wartime now. Not a time for
a grand celebration.
l myself had completely
forgotten...
if not for some venison my relatives
back home sent me.
l thought it was a good idea...
to exchange drinks with you over
some venison.
We brought beer and sake
we've gathered.
l appreciate that.
By the way, how many of
you are here?
There are 16, sir.
Do we have enough cooking stoves and
pans? lf we don't, we'll go buy some.
Gentlemen.
Happy birthday, sir.
Make yourselves at home.
l sit this way because it is
comfortable for me.
Please put the meat in?
Ma'am. Ma'am, join us.
Don't worry.
She can't... she's never
eaten horse meat.
Horse meat, sir?
lsn't this venison?
We received a bulk of venison...
more than we two can eat.
So l decided to invite you.
But considering your appetite...
l realize it was slender bulk.
Venison stew is rare and grand...
but adding horse meat should
make an interesting blend.
''Horse'' and ''deer'' mean stupid.
l get it, sir. This means
we are stupid.
No need to be depressed.
Beef, pork, and chicken are hard
to come by nowadays.
l happened to hear horse meat
was available.
l struck upon the elegance...
of adding horse meat to
the venison stew.
l set out to a butcher's quite a
distance from here...
and bought the horse meat.
Should bring tears to your eyes.
For his loving students...
an old man whipping his old bones
to buy horse meat.
Can you imagine that?
lt's a typical, ''Looking up to
our teacher,...
''thinking of our debt to our
teacher''.
Gentlemen!
What is more, l found myself...
in an awkward situation
at the butcher's.
The horse was... a familiar horse
at the Army Academy...
where l taught for some time.
lt stared at me with dubious
eyes, as if saying...
''What in the world are you
buying there, sir?''
l was so embarrassed.
l wanted to hide somewhere.
l never realized horses had
such large eyes.
Well, let's eat. The meat
should be ready.
You certainly make it easy
for us to eat...
with that story of yours, professor.
lmagine it's all venison.
Besides, the two meats
are mixed.
You wouldn't know which
is which.
Bon appetit!
lt's good.
lt's certainly delicious.
lf there is an air raid,...
this ''stupid stew''...
will turn into ''blind stew''.
l hate air raids.
l have to turn off the lights.
l've been afraid of the dark
since l was a child.
l can't sleep in the dark,
either.
Even now, sir?
Aren't you afraid of the dark?
Of course not.
We're grownups. What's so scary
about darkness?
You gentlemen are impossible.
Why is that?
Anyone unafraid of darkness... has a
vital defect as a human being.
You lack imagination.
A proper human being... conceives
the existence of something...
in their imagination in darkness which
prevents you from seeing.
Whatever is in the dark...
it may be of danger to you.
That's why we become scared.
This is justified logic.
ln my case...
if l hear there are badgers
here...
everyone in the neighborhood
seems like badgers.
Rather, l suspect...
the badgers have disguised them
selves as humans.
This is only natural for a proper
human being.
lt may be natural for you...
because you are solid gold.
To the solid gold professor!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Looking up to
our teacher
Thinking of our debt
to our teacher
Over the garden
of teaching.
Countless years
have already passed
So lost is the passage
of time
The years and the months...
Our professor's house... was also
burned down from the air raids.
This is the professor's
house after that...
All won't go in.
Thanks for coming.
-Ok here?
-Over here.
Professor should love this. Thank
you for your consideration.
Can l put the bag there?
-Are you coming in?
-l'll help.
There are too many people.
-Are you all right?
-l can't budge.
l now know how canned
sardines feel.
-Anything to put over here?
-This, please.
-Please. Yes, thank you.
-This, too.
Watch your head.
lgnore that head.
Would you take this, too?
Ma'am, if you need anything,...
please tell us.
Tank you very much, everyone.
We trouble you all the time.
Don't mention it.
l want an umbrella.
Take this one, sir.
Our bathroom is... that new
building over there.
lt doesn't have a roof.
Therefore, on rainy days such as
today... we can't use it.
What do you say, guys?
To be honest, this place
is terrible.
Let's find someplace else.
No, no.
Coming across this house... which
miraculously survived was mere luck.
Besides, the owner is a baron
l'm acquainted with.
-A baron?
-Peerage.
Lived in this house?
Don't talk nonsense.
This was...
the shack for the baron's
old garden keeper.
On the morning when both
the baron's house...
and ours were burnt down...
l met the baron who came to
look around his estate.
My wife and l found this shack and
were resting here.
l asked him if we could rent it.
He said, ''please, go ahead''.
We were very luck, indeed.
You know this, don't you?
HOJO-Kl
Yes, sir.
Books are heavy.
l fled with only this book,
my favorite.
The author of this book,...
Kamono Chomei...
lived in the capital during
the Heian Era.
He experienced many
calamities...
such as war, fire and famine.
Losing all hope in life...
he secluded himself in a
mountain hermitage.
l recently feel the same way...
as Kamono Chomei
must have felt.
For the time being, l intend to
settle down here...
which resembles the hermitage
he lived in.
Well, gentlemen, l wish l can
invite you in...
but l'm afraid l can't.
lt's packed with my wife
and l alone.
Don't worry.
Professor. Please.
Many of the birds we kept
were burnt.
My wife insisted on freeing them
from the cages...
if we couldn't take them.
A bird freed from its cage at night...
would only fly into the fire.
lf they are going to be
burnt anyway...
they might as well meet their fate
in their familiar cages.
We left them.
A neighborhood child...
found this silver-eye and
gave it to us.
l must have fallen out
of its nest.
lt was just a tiny fledgling
at first.
Since she raised it from
that time...
my wife strongly insisted...
and didn't let the cage go.
We had no choice but to flee
with only this.
The only resemblance... this has with
the hermitage in'' Hojo-Ki''...
is its smallness, but without
the elegance.
There is no sound of clear water
from the mountains...
running from bamboo pipes as
at Chomei's hermitage.
The only sound of water here...
is that of someone urinating
against the clay wall.
l wonder why...
people take the trouble... of always
urinating in the same place.
They all do it there. The ''Urinating
Forbidden'' sign has no effect.
Even a picture of a shrine
seems insufficient.
But l came up with a
brilliant idea.
l painted a special incantation.
l'm sure it works this time.
Go take a look at it.
lt's on the other side.
lt's ingenious.
URlNATlNG FORBlDDEN
Clever indeed. Can't afford to
get it chopped off.
He's certainly a genius for
such things.
The rainy season may end.
Yes.
By the way, how is the
professor?
Where's the professor?
You see how it is.
He's hopeless once it begins
to rumble.
That's why l must keep ready this
incense against thunder.
lt may not be proper to
say this...
after all you've done, but...
human beings accumulate so many
things during their life.
The burden lightened ... with
everything burnt in the air raid.
But things have increased in
this house again.
l sometimes hope the B-29 will
come pay us a visit.
Still. We're glad the war
is over.
Are you sure?
Since the war,...
life has become worse.
During the war, we at least
had food rations.
Without rations...
we are reduced to live
like beggars.
Long ago, when l was a small child...
we used to make a hut...
with bamboo and straw...
in the open lot behind
our house.
l took delight in sitting in it.
When my grandmother
caught me there...
she shed tears and said.
''What in the world is this
boy doing?
He will surely grow up
to be a beggar''.
She wept like a child.
lndeed, my grandmother's
prophecy came true.
Professor!
What are you saying? You fancy
yourself as Chomei?
Did you forget his spirit?
lt's not like you.
''The river runs on and on and the
water is never the same.
Bubbles floating on stagnant water
disappear and form...
they never remain forever.
ln this world, one's habitat... has
come to pass as trus''.
l see.
Think it no more than an old
man's grumbling.
Let me apologize.
We are here about that matter,
sir.
We can't have you living
here forever.
We plan to build a house for
you somewhere.
Nonsense. l won't let you.
Not immediately, sir.
By the first Maadha kai next year...
we'll have a concrete plan.
What is this? This Maadha kai?
The name of your birthday.
We've decided on that since it's
not likely you'd die soon.
(ready?.)
(not yet.
(not yet?
''Maadha kai'' as in this.
The characters are Ma from
''a God's name''...
and A and Da from ''the Buddha''.
lsn't that a great name?
ls that right?
Not yet?
Not yet?
l'm back.
lt's a genuine Johnny
Walker bottle...
but the content is different.
lt's medical alcohol.
l got it from a doctor
l know.
He made it by mixing tea
and brown sugar.
The taste is questionable,
but it's effective.
l must say, l'm beginning
to feel good.
Professor.
When we were students, we
often drank with you.
When we got drunk, you led us
to a lot of mischief.
We switched nameplates
on houses.
When you sobered up, you'd make
us put them back again.
So sorry, sir.
Professor. Do you want your
new house
Japanese or Western style?
As l already said,
l won't let you.
Leave it to us, Professor.
Now that the war is over, major
publishers are reopening.
One of them has offered to pay
in advance for the right...
to publish your works.
Leave it to us.
There is a piece of land we are
considering now.
We can build a small garden.
What kind would you like?
l'd like to have a pond.
A pond?
A garden pond?
There won't be space
for a big pond...
but a small one will be possible.
l don't want such a small one.
l'd like to keep some fish...
but fish swim in the
same direction.
lf the pond is so small...
they'd have to bend their
bodies all the time.
lt'll be pathetic if their
backs get bent.
Fish's backs?
What about this idea?
The whole garden is a pond.
That's a lot of construction work.
Then... make the pond circumference
as large as possible.
Build an island in
the middle.
Make a doughnut
shaped pond.
You come up with the
weirdest ideas.
You're beyond us
mediocre men.
He seriously worries about
fish's backs.
l must say, he's a genius.
He's a child. He never
grows up.
l got it.
That's what turns you on.
Don't be silly.
Don't hide it.
l realize... that's what we
like in him, too.
That's why it's fun to
be with him.
lsn't that right?
The moon is out.
The moon is out,
the moon is out
Round, round, perfectly round
l love old songs.
Like Henri Rousseau' paintings...
so innocent and honest..
l love songs of the
good ol' days.
During the war...
we had forgotten about such nice
things like the moon.
The moon is out,
the moon is out
Round, round, perfectly round
The moon is like a tray
''The houses demolished
under frequent fires...
''are incalculable.
''Alone the trivial hermitage
remains tranquil...
without dread.
''Though small and poor...
it offers a bed at night...
and a seat the day.
''What more can one ask
for in a shelter''?
THE FlRST MAADHA KAl
To celebrate our professor's
61st birthday...
we will open the first
Maadha kai party.
Under the allied occupation...
food and alcohol are not
easy to come by.
Luckily, with the cooperation
of all the members...
we were able to hold
this banquet.
As the chairman. let me voice
our appreciation...
to the officers who have
done so well.
Words from our professor... and a
large glass of beer.
Please drink up in one breath.
Then a toast in his honor.
My friends and gentleman.
Thank you all for inviting
me here tonight.
Thank you for sparing time...
though some are not busy...
from your busy schedule...
to attend this wonderful
gathering.
''ls this old goat still alive?''
seems to be motives of...
the Maadha kai and that
you all have...
the desire to ask me Maadha kai
(not yet?)...
l have come to say Madadayo
(not yet).
Though it may be against
the principles...
of this meeting, ask me again next
year and the year after.
Please ask me Maadha kai.
(not yet).
l promise that l will someday...
respond to you by saying Mouiiyo
(l'm ready).
l assure you l am well-prepared.
The person to my right... has taken
care of me for years.
He is my physician, Dr. Kobayashi.
He will sign my death certificate.
The gentleman on my left...
is one of the alumni.
He took over his family
business...
and is now a priest at a temple.
Rev. Kameyama will...
perform the final ritual
before l die.
ln any case...
l am about to empty this large...
glass of beer in one breath...
And even if l die on the spot...
there is nothing to worry about.
Madadayo (not yet
Cheers!
Gongratulations.
Gentlemen, while you are still free...
from the effects of the liquor...
a short speech from the
each of you.
Make them short and simple.
Long live the professor!
That was too short.
lt's felicitating.
A long one'll be a condolence.
l am deeply grateful to
the professor.
When we staged the opera ''Faust''
in German under his guidance...
l was given a wonderful role.
l will always treasure that
memory of sensation.
Did you play Mephistopheles?
No, sir.
l played the eternal virgin
Faust fell in love with...
Margarita.
l'm awkward with
speeches, so...
l'll recite all the station names
from Hokkaido to Kyushu.
Express trains?
No, for the locals.
That 'll be something.
Kushiro, Shin-Fuji, Ohtanoshige,
Shoro, Shiranuka, Onbetsu...
Let's forget him. Next.
l don't understand why today is
an auspicious day.
Probably because professor
is still alive.
l'm alive, too, but there's...
l don't it's auspicious.
Say, your holiness!
You embarrass me.
Then, Eminence!
That, too.
Then, Priest!
That's better.
How's your business?
Are you busy?
Quite busy, thank you.
That's why l don't want you
to come yet.
Then l shall have to wait.
By the way, Mr. Quack.
Candidly speaking...
how long would you say
can l hold out?
Let me see.
Granted you keep to
my advice...
l'll guarantee another
15-16 years.
That's bad.
lf he lives so long, we officers
will be accused.
Drink up, professor.
You're a juyaku (executive),
aren't you?
Yes, thank you, sir.
Have you ever thought of
the word ''executive''?
Not particularly, sir.
That's the trouble.
Comes from ''execute''...
''enforce,'' ''discharge''...
even ''behead''.
You mustn't be vain just because
you became an executive.
Such a person is not worthy.
Must be executed.
Now that my turn has come...
l would like to...
l owe it all to professor...
thank you, professor.
Professor, you have taught us
the joy of drinking.
But some only got drunk and
had given you trouble.
Sugino went wild swinging
beer bottles.
When Kitamura got drunk, he'd
hug and kiss anyone.
Professor!
Shaved off your beard?
Yes, l did.
Mustn't do such a thing...
without telling us.
Why, sir?
The beard was a part of your
face for many years.
We all recognized you...
because of that beard.
Now it's gone... l didn't
recognize you at first.
Granted, the beard was yours,
but...
it was also ours, so...
mustn't shave it off
on your own.
Sorry, l'll grow it again.
That won't do.
lf you grow it again... we won't
recognize you.
Muito obrigado!
As you all know... professor
is indeed-read.
One time...
he told us not to take for granted...
that ears are attached to the head.
because Ampriobiris spirias
has ears on its feet.
What's Ampriobirisus spirias?
What is that? lt's Ampriobiris
spirias.
Please, sir.
Gentlemen.
Don't crowd me like this.
l can't cope with you
all by myself.
Let's toast once again...
and we all enjoy the occasion
as we like.
Gentlemen.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Drinking parties are interesting.
At one time, all the members
become intoxicated.
lt somehow reminds me of...
water in a pot coming
to a boil.
That is why...
l still feel l am his student.
The professor is great.
That's right.
Not that professors are great... but
a great man became a professor.
Professor is like the sun to us.
Overstatement.
That would be an exaggeration...
so l'll say he's like the moon.
Overstatement.
Wait.
There are half moons.
Or one-third moons.
Or at times no moons. Likes
professor's lessons.
This is why l compare him
to the moon.
The moon is great
The moon is the sun's sister
The moon turns into
a perfect circle
The moon turns into a bow
Spring, summer,
autumn, winter
She shines over entire Japan
The moon is out,
the moon is out
Round, round, perfectly round
The moon is like a tray
The moon is hiding, hiding
Behind black, black,jet black
Clouds like black ink
The moon is out once again
Round, round, perfectly, round
The moon is like a tray
Gentlemen.
Remember...''One-two Mr. Pharmacist''.
Let's do that.
One-two Medicine is
the best in Japan
One two
Buy One-two medicine
One, two, one two
The medicine cures...
One, two
Pyrosis, stomach trouble,
diarrhea
Dizziness before and
after childbirth
Asthma, headache, influenza
From here, is my original.
Take the pace.
Medicine can cure
numerous illnesses
But no medicine
can cure a fool
Foolishness is in
heaps today
Japan is blooming with
fools now
Suffer defeat, held
under occupation
But fools call it the
end of the war
Right about!
Advocating democracy
loud and clear
Only crooks throw
their weight about
Bribery and corruption
currently pass with impunity
Brazen fair and square
Scandals, paradise, a
doodlebug trap
Those haughty fools
never learn
Chirp and twitter all in unison
Chirp, chirp,
twitter, twitter
The end.
ljuin, Manjishi, Nishi-Kagoshima,
Kagoshima...
We've arrived!
Mas...
What? Where is everybody?
Don't know. Have some more.
Could that be me?
lt seems like it.
Maadha kai (not yet?
Maadha kai?
Madadayo! (not yet
Maadha kay?.
Madadayo!
Maadha kai?
Madadayo!
Maadha kai?
Madadayo!
Professor's new house
was completed.
Only this pair for men. The rest
are for women.
My beautiful garden is not
that spacious.
You'll manage with them.
To make the pond, the house had
to be squeezed down.
When you think of that
matchbox house...
this is indeed as big
as a palace.
Right?
lndeed it is.
We're flattered.
Still, l do flatter myself with this
doughnut-shaped pond.
lt's a brilliant idea.
The Pacific may be vast...
but swimming straight... you'll
reach the shores of America.
Swimming round in this pond...
the distance is limitless.
l want to keep carp in this pond.
Big ones you only see in dreams.
They could be as big as
rowboats.
That's impossible.
lnfinite this pond may be... they'll
curl up and end up motionless.
Bad for their backs.
l meant it as a figure
of speech.
Like in the expression... ''gray hair
3,ooo-yard long'' in a Chinese poem.
lmagine a carp the size
of a whale.
By the way...
The Golden pavilion is built in a
pond, and my house...
although small and...
and not sparkling,...
is quite like it.
so put this up.
KlNKAKUJl (guests forbidden)
This golden Pavilion...
forbids such boisterous
crowds like us.
l'll use it as my study,... so l
won't allow any guests.
What do you think? lsn't this
lot too small?
Could be worked out with
the plan.
LAND FOR SALE
Tea is ready.
Yes, ma'am.
The man who greeted you,...
who is he?
The owner of that lot.
.He came the other day to ask
me if l'd buy that lot.
l don't have so much money.
l have to refuse, but...
he was very courteous.
Approaching me...
so politely, l find it hard
to tell him.
Seems he found a buyer.
Yes, l'm glad.
Are you keeping that cat?
l call it Nora, because it's a Nora
neko (alley cat).
My wife gave it dried fish,...
and it's lived here.
Besides, it has good
physiognomy.
Cat physiognomy?
Sounds odd.
How else can l say it?
But it does sound rather odd.
Anyway, this cat is
well-cultured.
Better mannered than you.
Excuse me.
Yes.
Be good.
He wants to pay his
respects to you.
Excuse me.
What? That's why i came to
pay him my respect.
-But...
-Rot the ''buts''.
l bought the land.
lt's my land now.
l can build whatever l like.
That's true, but...
you must think about your
neighbor.
Building a three-story house...
next to their fence is
unreasonable.
Unreasonable?
The surveying proved the
lot is smaller.
Another floor must be added to the
two-story house l planned.
lf you do that, you'll be...
depriving them of the sun.
So what? That's none of
my concern.
Lllet's go!
Please wait.
The negotiation is closed.
Please wait.
l've changed my mind.
What? l'm not selling.
Don't be ridiculous.
Now that the contract is made,...
the land is mine.
l haven't signed it yet.
lt's still my land.
l absolutely will not sell that
land to you.
Excuse me.
l'm grateful to you for being so
considerate about us.
l can't thank you enough.
But wouldn't it put you...
in a bad spot?
As for my house, even though
there's no sunlight...
lf that's the case...
But what...
-Let's do it.
-Shall we?
Let's go ask the landowner.
Professor, l must say this cat
has good qualities.
The cat was angry at that
blockhead.
But that landowner seems to
be a good man.
Where does he live?
He lives in a shack at the
base of that lot.
We must be leaving.
Stay a bit longer.
l'm still upset.
Let's drink.
l've prepared some
food and...
Sorry, ma'am. l must go.
So must l.
Good-bye.
NANZANJU
Professor, what does this
Nanzanju mean?
Long life of Nanzan.
An expression wishing long life.
Should be read nanzansu.
l hung it up, because l am
reluctant to talk to visitors.
Nanzansu is ''Whaddya want''
at the brothel.
The courtesan used this expression
during the Edo Era.
Of course, it's short for
nan-zamasu.
lt's perfect for that blockhead.
Nanzansu indeed. My God,
he's annoying.
l detest that dear man.
Good-bye, sir.
Good-bye.
Something strange is
cooking up.
Why did they hurry
off like that?
Good baby, good baby,
dear Nora.
Let me hold him, too.
Hey, let me.
Come on.
lf you consent to it...
Thank you.
l can buy a small house
with this...
and send for my family.
l don't know how to thank you.
You can thank our professor.
He truly is grateful to you.
We understand how he feels.
So... lf he finds out about this
deal, it'll be awkward.
l know.
Please, keep this a secret
from him.
He'll know in time... but leave the
lot as it is until then.
You all...
are such nice people.
You're a nice person
yourself.
But the nicest one is
our professor.
We try as best to imitate him.
Good-bye.
That was good.
By the way... Nanzansu?
(What, dear?)
Let's drink.
Where shall we go?
To the professor's.
Great idea. That's a charming
idea.
Professor's in trouble.
What's wrong?
He isn't sick. The cat
disappeared.
Madam called me.
Wants us to come.
Professor hasn't stopped crying
since the cat disappeared.
Dear...
Please.
l received a call from Madam.
Are you all right?
Of course, l am.
Nothing more than a cat.
Nora has disappeared before.
He'll come back.
Thank you for coming.
l'd be grateful, if you could spare
time to eat with us.
You'd do me a favor
if you could.
Since Nora disappeared,... he's
eaten almost nothing.
You may think l'm stupid.
No...
To be honest...
l am stupid.
l'm totally hopeless.
Since Nora disappeared...
l can think of nothing else.
l can't do anything.
l only think about Nora.
Do you see that willow tree?
Nora...
came through an opening in
the fence there.
Since then he became a member
of this household.
Since Nora disappeared...
l can't help... looking
at that hole.
Nora might be coming thorough the
opening in the fence again.
l want to see it.
The other day...
l went to Kyushu to
give a lecture.
On the way back...
Through the window... in the
dark station...
i saw Nora.
it may sound strange, but...
l really did see Nora.
l saw him clearly.
Something bothered me.
When l reached
Tokyo Station...
l called my house.
As l thought...
That day...
after nightfall...
Nora wanted to go out.
l picked him up and said:
''Stay home, it's late.''
He wanted to go out...
so l took him outside.
Nora grew impatient and... wiggle
until he slipped out of my arms.
He went through the opening.
After a while...
it began to rain.
And later it began to pour.
Nora probably couldn't return
in that rain.
On the bathtub cover...
is Nora's bed.
My husband sometimes
goes there.
Looks at the cushion.
He caresses it dearly...
and weeps.
l really don't know
what to do.
Professor!
l'm ashamed to show my
miserable face.
l may be...
sentimental...
or overreaching or weak-willed
or whatever...
l just can't help it.
l try to forget...
but keep remembering Nora.
Then l feel so much pain.
l can't bear it.
Professor, we'll find Nora.
We'll organize a search party
to find Nora.
So please, professor...
That's a dog.
We promised we would
find Nora, but...
We should try searching places
saved from fire.
Why should professor suffer
so much?
Our professor is very special.
He's not you or me.
His sensitivity and imagination
are beyond us.
When he thinks of Nora...
he can picture every detail.
That's why he suffers.
Can't just sit and watch.
You're right. Let's try.
DEAR NORA
This is our professor's diary...
which he wrote about
Nora with affection.
Here.
Here.
Tio!
There are cats everywhere,
hundreds around.
But it simply has
to be this cat.
How come?
Do you have a brother?
Sure, l do.
He's still a baby.
lf your brother is switched with
some other baby...
That's terrible.
This cat is my baby.
l care for him like my child.
That's why it has to
be this cat.
Tell me if you find him.
Yes.
What it looks like is
written here...
and the address
is here, too.
Children.
Please find a cat
named Nora.
This cat seems to be around
here somewhere.
lt's a male cat with a brown
and white coat.
His tail is thick and twisted. lf
you touch it, you'll know.
lf you call out ''Nora''... he will
prick up his ears and stare at you.
A reward will be given...
to whoever finds him.
Please help us.
Since then, we received
many phone calls...
that they have seen
a cat like Nora.
Professor isn't eating much.
l know.
He eats and drinks
very little.
l can't sleep much, either.
That's terrible.
Since Nora disappeared,... he
hasn't taken a bath.
Nora's cushion is on the
bathtub cover.
l must use the public
bath far away.
ls it rain?
l used to love the sound
of rain.
Not anymore.
When l think of Nora,...
it pains me.
How about making flyers to
insert in newspapers?
l'll take them to the newspaper
distributors.
That's a good idea. l never
thought of it.
What a fool l am.
l really am.
Thinking of Nora's return,...
l wrote this announcement.
''l''... meaning Nora...
''l have been away for
some time...
''and l have worried my
master terribly...
''and given you a lot
of trouble.
''l Have safely returned,... so please
put your mind at rest.
''Seeing my face,... my master
burst into tears.
''l write this letter in his place.
''To celebrate my return...
''my master wishes to invite
you all to a drink.
''Please feel free to...''
Waiting for Nora's return,...
professor prepared a collar...
with their address
engraved on it.
But Nora still hasn't returned.
l received a letter saying l must
wait eight months...
for a stray cat to return.
This person's cat returned safely...
after eight months.
We've received some calls.
There are strange ones, too.
The other day, a person asked
me if Nora mews.
l said, ''yes''.
Then he said, ''doesn't he bark?
Hee hee hee.''
And hung up.
Hello.
Yes?
Has your cat returned?
No.
He might have been stolen.
Ma'am, cats often get stolen.
There are cat-catchers.
Catch cats and sell their skin.
The prices aren't bad.
Shamisen uses cat skin.
Your cat could be stolen.
l'll check up on that.
Good day.
Hello.
Dear. Dear.
Dear, they found Nora.
Nora was in such a place?
lt's Nora. lt's Nora.
Nora!
Dear Nora!
Nora's friend, the fishmonger's
wife, says so.
Thank you.
My wife will go.
l thank you.
Hello.
Takayama?
They found Nora.
lt's positive.
Can you tell the others?
l saw a wonderful dream.
l dreamt of feeding Nora.
Nora will return.
l was going to tell you...
and l brought Nora's
favorite fish.
Professor, congratulations.
From my boss.
Thank you indeed.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
They were wrong.
lt wasn't Nora.
l'll get it.
That's right.
Who the hell are you?
l'll smack your face!
What's up?
Damn!
''Nora's gone. Already
a Shamisen''.
Saying so, he sounded the
Shamisen.
Come here.
Come here.
Come here.
This was intended for Nora,...
but it's yours now.
Go on, eat it.
ls it good?
Like Nora, you seem to like
baby mackerels.
That's a good cat.
Professor seems to have
recovered.
Madam called.
The cat.
Found Nora? Relax.
lt's not Nora.
That black and white,...
Black on white...
You relax.
Calm down.
-Give me water.
-Here's some.
That's why.
What? Calm down.
What's this black
and white cat?
Oh, yes. Remember that cat?
The one madam was feeding?
lt's there to stay. Professor
now picks it up.
Kurz. Kurz.
What's this ''Kurz''?
Did you forget that simple
German word?
''Kurz'' lt means ''short'' in
German.
Has a short tail.
-What tail?-The cat's tail!
That black and white cat
has a short tail...
so Professor named it Kurz.
Even named it.
She said he's Ok.
l'm glad to hear that.
She wants us all to
come tonight.
l'll fetch Kiriyama. You fetch
Sawamura.
-Phone them.
-Yes, the phone.
The phone's here.
Relax.
Kuru, Kuru.
you're a good baby.
Leave it to my wife, and Kurz
becomes Kuru.
Kuru's not bad. lt's easy
to pronounce.
Easy to pronounce.
Leave it be at that.
l really went to pieces
over Nora...
and troubled you all.
Because of that, l caused you
so much trouble.
l'm sorry.
Were's Kurz? Sleeping in
Nora's bed.
l am so given to peevishness.
And linger in regrets.
Can you believe that?
l still do that.
Not mosquito repellent.
lncantation to bring back
missing cats.
l still do such a thing.
l'm disgusted at myself.
But l'm all right now.
l've always been the hare
in the myth...
saved by the Harvest God.
Don't you all know...
There was a white hare
in inaba
Raw fresh with skin peeled off
Yes, l remember.
Carrying a large bag
over his shoulder
Who can the Harvest God be?
That's the fourth verse.
This song has many verses.
lt's about an injured hare saved
by the Harvest God.
l am that hare.
And...
Who can the Harvest God be?
lt is no other than you all.
As far as Nora is concerned...
people who sent me
kind letters...
people who called me...
all those who worried for
Nora with me...
the Harvest God is
those people.
Carrying a large bag
over his shoulder
The Harvest God's
large bag is...
full of your kindness.
That kindness...
saved me form despair.
Carrying a large bag
over his shoulder
The Harvest God came
around the bend
There he sees the
white hare of inaba
Raw fresh with skin
peeled off
The Harvest God took
pity on the hare
Taught the hare to wash itself
in clear water
And wrap itself in reed
mace cotton
As the Harvest God
taught him
The hare washed itself
in clear water
And wrapped itself in
reed mace cotton
He was once again
the white hare
Gentlemen.
Who could the
Harvest God be?
Towers in memory of Nora
and Kurz...
were erected in the professor's
garden.
Nora was never found.
Kurz, living a full life,...
sleeps here.
And the willow tree has
grown to this height.
THE 1 7TH MAADHA KAl PARTY
l now remember the time...
when l became 60 years old.
At the time...
l thought l had become a
genuine old man.
But now that l have turned 77...
to celebrate my birthday again...
l realize when l was 60...
l was nothing more than a
young punk.
But now...
l have become a genuine
old man.
At one time, you confronted me
with so many Maadha kay calls...
that in response l thought of
hanging myself...
So l can say Mouiiyo
(l'm ready) to you
But, ironically,...
from the willow tree in
my garden.
At the time, was still small
and narrow.
lt was useless for hanging.
But now the willow tree
has grown.
lt is good enough for hanging.
But l am still here.
l must ask your forgiveness.
My good friends and gentlemen...
l thank you all for this
occasion.
According to your custom...
l will drink up this large
glass of beer.
The glass has shrunk again.
ls this your idea?
The glass gets smaller
and smaller.
lt is no longer a large glass.
Even that is too big for
you now.
Don't complain and drink up.
Madadayo! (not yet
Let's toast for our professor.
Congratulations.
By this, we finish the usual
Maadha kai ritual.
We will now hold our
professor's...
77th birthday celebration.
First, the presentation
of flowers.
They're your student's daughters.
Happy birthday.
Thank you
Next,...
from the Maadha kai members,
a birthday cake.
Oh, no.
You'll have candles to
equal my age...
and l must blow them out.
l can't do it.
Mustn't treat an old man
so cruelly.
But, professor, since we can't
have77 candles...
only seven candles.
Even seven candles may
be a burden.
Some of my teeth are missing.
Much of the air leaks out.
These children?
They're their grandchildren.
Look how lovely they are.
l feel like eating them.
l want to give the cake...
to the children who
brought it.
Come here, Children.
With this cake, there is
something...
l want to give you.
Let me say this.
Please find something you
really like.
Find something that...
you'd be able to treasure.
When you find it...
Work very hard...
for your treasure.
At that time,...
you will have the treasure...
you must work hard for.
And it will become a career you
put your heart into.
That is your real treasure.
Too difficult perhaps.
l'm sorry.
Take it.
Thank you.
Now, all you grandpas
and grandmas...
dads and moms... let's drink
and have a good time.
Professor.
Let's do ''One-two'' again.
As you say... there are
so many...
irritating things in the world
recently.
Graft, bribery are at large
One, two
Let's go out dancing.
Professor!
Professor!
As the professor's family
doctor...
l must say there is nothing
to worry about.
lt is just one of his chronic
irregular pulse fits.
l suggest he goes home and
rests for a while.
l'm all right.
Don't worry.
Madadayo. (not yet
We officers will escort professor
to his house.
Don't worry,...
and continue the party
for his sake.
Professor.
My husband's cane.
You look so nonchalant.
Damn monk.
Don't worry. He's not ready
for me yet.
Thank you.
Looking up to our teacher
Thinking of our debt
to our teacher
Over the garden of teaching
Countless years have
already passed
So fast is the passage of time
The years and the months...
Nothing to worry.
lf he rests well tonight,
he'll be fine.
l'm worried about those guys.
They may cause trouble.
Don't wake the professor
and drink again.
You're joking. We'll hit
the sack.
Don't wet the bed.
That quack.
Mattresses are in there.
Shall l... We'll do it,
ma'am.
There may not be enough.
l hope it won't be cold.
No worry... if we have a drink.
That's good enough.
But...
Like our student days.
Remember his speech?
We'll soon be genuine old men,
too.
There's nothing. Thank you,
ma'am.
l'll sleep in the Kinkakuji.
lf anything...
Don't worry.
lt's Ok.
You mustn't wake professor.
Yes, ma'am.
-Good night.
-Good night.
lt's great.
What is?
When we used to stay over...
he made us prepare
for the lessons.
That was a real pain.
No need for that tonight nor go
to school tomorrow.
We've passed all that.
Madadayo. (not yet
He's sound asleep.
He must be dreaming.
l wonder what kind of dreams
he sees.
His dreams must be solid gold,
too.
Maadha Kai?
(ready?)
Madadayo!
(not yet)
Madadayo!
(not yet)
Madadayo!
(not yet)
Maadha Kai?
Madadayo!
Madadayo!
Madadayo!
THE END
He's coming.
Attention.
Bow.
Be seated.
Someone's been smoking.
No smoking in the classroom.
Still...
it is difficult to resist the urge.
l, too, am no exception.
When l hear the bell in the faculty
room, l try to leave...
But then l get the urge to smoke.
l light cigarette.
Soon l light another,...
then another.
So you see, l am always 20
or 30 minutes late.
But, Professor, what's with
you today?
lt is already 30 odd years... since l've
been addressed as ''Professor''.
During that time...
as if watching water running
from an open faucet...
onto a dirt floor and
into a ditch...
students have drifted away in
front of my eyes.
lt is impossible to remember
each and every face.
Ah, yes.
That l remember clearly to
this day.
The face belongs to one...
who slept during class with
his eyes open.
Hey, Takayama.
Yes.
That dozing expert was
your father.
By the way, gentlemen.
Today is the last day for me to
be called ''Professor''.
As of today...
l am resigning my professorship.
My books...
have somehow become salable.
l can live by writing.
l must admit l do not dislike
teaching...
but as the proverb...''He who runs after
two hares will catch neither''...
l have decided to quit teaching.
Professor.
Even if you quit... you are
our professor.
My father, too, was an alumnus of
this school. So were his friends.
Even to this day,... they call
you professor.
They also say you are solid gold.
Solid gold?
A lump of gold with no impurities.
lt means you are the true.
You are the German professor,... but
you have taught us more.
l feel you have taught us many
precious things.
TOKYO, 1943.
This is the house our
professor moved into...
after he quit school.
Ma'am, put the professor away
somewhere. He's in the way.
Darling.
Put that in the entrance hall.
The entrance hall will be
my study.
At the same time, l will be
the gatekeeper...
to protect the house from
invasion...
by a motley crowd like you.
RECElVlNG DAYS: 1ST AND
15TH OF THE MONTH
VlSlTORS ON OTHER
DAYS PROHlBlTED
l hope it is all right.
What is?
This house.
The rent is cheaper than l expected.
l knew there was something fishy.
When l went to order noodles today,...
the shop lady told me...
this house has been burglarized
quite frequently.
So none have settled
down very long.
And it was vacant for a while.
The heck with burglars.
There's nothing worth
stealing here.
Still... l'm somehow scared.
Don't worry. No burglar
will break in.
Definitely won't.
Since l was a child... l've been so
afraid of burglars.
l've given much thought on how
to prevent burglars.
And l have hammered out a method
to prevent them.
Did you really, professor?
Yes, l did.
One o'clock. Bewitching hour.
Hour for the burglars.
l'll go over this wall and open
the side door.
Sneak in here.
Wait a minute.
Aren't we acting like burglars?
We became worried about what
madam told us.
We're here to examine the
precautionary measures.
The only way to check is to sneak
in like real burglars.
Take a look at that.
What a plight!
''Don't worry'', he said.
Didn't he boast on being an
expert on burglars?
BURGLAR'S ENTRANCE
BURGLAR'S PASSAGE
BURGLAR'S RECESS AREA
BURGLAR'S EXlT
That was a clean score.
l had to steal this to get even.
lsn't that the professor's hat?
l heard he wore this when he was
an instructor in the army.
He shouldn't need this anymore.
As a reminder of this day...
What'll we do about the side door?
What about it?
lt's unlocked.
lt has to be locked. You'd better
go over the wall.
lt's unsafe.
You're right.
lt's good.
Come down.
Come down.
-What is it?
-Someone's coming.
Darn it! lt's a cop!
Can we leave the side
door like that?
Sure. With those signs, nothing
will be stolen.
Our professor is something.
Yes, he's solid gold.
Professor!
We have happily come upon
receiving your invitation.
Come right on in.
We can't with you sitting there.
You look like a scribe or a
fortune-teller.
Literary men somewhat
are the same.
This must be a defense measure
to keep away the visitors.
Besides, who wants to stay if he's
reading this kind of thing?
BY SHOKUSANJlN
(Haiku poet)
''Annoyance is to have visitors...
''Nonetheless, this does
not imply you''
''By the host.
''Delight is to have visitors.
''Nonetheless, this does not
imply you''.
There aren't enough cushions...
so l'll be the one to use it.
l think that's rude to
the guests.
But, oh, well.
What do you mean rude?
You barge into my house,... remove
all the sliding doors...
Fine guests you are.
Professor, it's not a visiting day.
What's happening today?
lt's a special day today.
A special day?
lt's the day l have become a
genuine old man.
lt is my 60th birthday.
l have become 60 years old.
l that true?
lf we had known that... we would have
invited you to a great banquet.
Come, come. Don't say that.
lt's wartime now. Not a time for
a grand celebration.
l myself had completely
forgotten...
if not for some venison my relatives
back home sent me.
l thought it was a good idea...
to exchange drinks with you over
some venison.
We brought beer and sake
we've gathered.
l appreciate that.
By the way, how many of
you are here?
There are 16, sir.
Do we have enough cooking stoves and
pans? lf we don't, we'll go buy some.
Gentlemen.
Happy birthday, sir.
Make yourselves at home.
l sit this way because it is
comfortable for me.
Please put the meat in?
Ma'am. Ma'am, join us.
Don't worry.
She can't... she's never
eaten horse meat.
Horse meat, sir?
lsn't this venison?
We received a bulk of venison...
more than we two can eat.
So l decided to invite you.
But considering your appetite...
l realize it was slender bulk.
Venison stew is rare and grand...
but adding horse meat should
make an interesting blend.
''Horse'' and ''deer'' mean stupid.
l get it, sir. This means
we are stupid.
No need to be depressed.
Beef, pork, and chicken are hard
to come by nowadays.
l happened to hear horse meat
was available.
l struck upon the elegance...
of adding horse meat to
the venison stew.
l set out to a butcher's quite a
distance from here...
and bought the horse meat.
Should bring tears to your eyes.
For his loving students...
an old man whipping his old bones
to buy horse meat.
Can you imagine that?
lt's a typical, ''Looking up to
our teacher,...
''thinking of our debt to our
teacher''.
Gentlemen!
What is more, l found myself...
in an awkward situation
at the butcher's.
The horse was... a familiar horse
at the Army Academy...
where l taught for some time.
lt stared at me with dubious
eyes, as if saying...
''What in the world are you
buying there, sir?''
l was so embarrassed.
l wanted to hide somewhere.
l never realized horses had
such large eyes.
Well, let's eat. The meat
should be ready.
You certainly make it easy
for us to eat...
with that story of yours, professor.
lmagine it's all venison.
Besides, the two meats
are mixed.
You wouldn't know which
is which.
Bon appetit!
lt's good.
lt's certainly delicious.
lf there is an air raid,...
this ''stupid stew''...
will turn into ''blind stew''.
l hate air raids.
l have to turn off the lights.
l've been afraid of the dark
since l was a child.
l can't sleep in the dark,
either.
Even now, sir?
Aren't you afraid of the dark?
Of course not.
We're grownups. What's so scary
about darkness?
You gentlemen are impossible.
Why is that?
Anyone unafraid of darkness... has a
vital defect as a human being.
You lack imagination.
A proper human being... conceives
the existence of something...
in their imagination in darkness which
prevents you from seeing.
Whatever is in the dark...
it may be of danger to you.
That's why we become scared.
This is justified logic.
ln my case...
if l hear there are badgers
here...
everyone in the neighborhood
seems like badgers.
Rather, l suspect...
the badgers have disguised them
selves as humans.
This is only natural for a proper
human being.
lt may be natural for you...
because you are solid gold.
To the solid gold professor!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Looking up to
our teacher
Thinking of our debt
to our teacher
Over the garden
of teaching.
Countless years
have already passed
So lost is the passage
of time
The years and the months...
Our professor's house... was also
burned down from the air raids.
This is the professor's
house after that...
All won't go in.
Thanks for coming.
-Ok here?
-Over here.
Professor should love this. Thank
you for your consideration.
Can l put the bag there?
-Are you coming in?
-l'll help.
There are too many people.
-Are you all right?
-l can't budge.
l now know how canned
sardines feel.
-Anything to put over here?
-This, please.
-Please. Yes, thank you.
-This, too.
Watch your head.
lgnore that head.
Would you take this, too?
Ma'am, if you need anything,...
please tell us.
Tank you very much, everyone.
We trouble you all the time.
Don't mention it.
l want an umbrella.
Take this one, sir.
Our bathroom is... that new
building over there.
lt doesn't have a roof.
Therefore, on rainy days such as
today... we can't use it.
What do you say, guys?
To be honest, this place
is terrible.
Let's find someplace else.
No, no.
Coming across this house... which
miraculously survived was mere luck.
Besides, the owner is a baron
l'm acquainted with.
-A baron?
-Peerage.
Lived in this house?
Don't talk nonsense.
This was...
the shack for the baron's
old garden keeper.
On the morning when both
the baron's house...
and ours were burnt down...
l met the baron who came to
look around his estate.
My wife and l found this shack and
were resting here.
l asked him if we could rent it.
He said, ''please, go ahead''.
We were very luck, indeed.
You know this, don't you?
HOJO-Kl
Yes, sir.
Books are heavy.
l fled with only this book,
my favorite.
The author of this book,...
Kamono Chomei...
lived in the capital during
the Heian Era.
He experienced many
calamities...
such as war, fire and famine.
Losing all hope in life...
he secluded himself in a
mountain hermitage.
l recently feel the same way...
as Kamono Chomei
must have felt.
For the time being, l intend to
settle down here...
which resembles the hermitage
he lived in.
Well, gentlemen, l wish l can
invite you in...
but l'm afraid l can't.
lt's packed with my wife
and l alone.
Don't worry.
Professor. Please.
Many of the birds we kept
were burnt.
My wife insisted on freeing them
from the cages...
if we couldn't take them.
A bird freed from its cage at night...
would only fly into the fire.
lf they are going to be
burnt anyway...
they might as well meet their fate
in their familiar cages.
We left them.
A neighborhood child...
found this silver-eye and
gave it to us.
l must have fallen out
of its nest.
lt was just a tiny fledgling
at first.
Since she raised it from
that time...
my wife strongly insisted...
and didn't let the cage go.
We had no choice but to flee
with only this.
The only resemblance... this has with
the hermitage in'' Hojo-Ki''...
is its smallness, but without
the elegance.
There is no sound of clear water
from the mountains...
running from bamboo pipes as
at Chomei's hermitage.
The only sound of water here...
is that of someone urinating
against the clay wall.
l wonder why...
people take the trouble... of always
urinating in the same place.
They all do it there. The ''Urinating
Forbidden'' sign has no effect.
Even a picture of a shrine
seems insufficient.
But l came up with a
brilliant idea.
l painted a special incantation.
l'm sure it works this time.
Go take a look at it.
lt's on the other side.
lt's ingenious.
URlNATlNG FORBlDDEN
Clever indeed. Can't afford to
get it chopped off.
He's certainly a genius for
such things.
The rainy season may end.
Yes.
By the way, how is the
professor?
Where's the professor?
You see how it is.
He's hopeless once it begins
to rumble.
That's why l must keep ready this
incense against thunder.
lt may not be proper to
say this...
after all you've done, but...
human beings accumulate so many
things during their life.
The burden lightened ... with
everything burnt in the air raid.
But things have increased in
this house again.
l sometimes hope the B-29 will
come pay us a visit.
Still. We're glad the war
is over.
Are you sure?
Since the war,...
life has become worse.
During the war, we at least
had food rations.
Without rations...
we are reduced to live
like beggars.
Long ago, when l was a small child...
we used to make a hut...
with bamboo and straw...
in the open lot behind
our house.
l took delight in sitting in it.
When my grandmother
caught me there...
she shed tears and said.
''What in the world is this
boy doing?
He will surely grow up
to be a beggar''.
She wept like a child.
lndeed, my grandmother's
prophecy came true.
Professor!
What are you saying? You fancy
yourself as Chomei?
Did you forget his spirit?
lt's not like you.
''The river runs on and on and the
water is never the same.
Bubbles floating on stagnant water
disappear and form...
they never remain forever.
ln this world, one's habitat... has
come to pass as trus''.
l see.
Think it no more than an old
man's grumbling.
Let me apologize.
We are here about that matter,
sir.
We can't have you living
here forever.
We plan to build a house for
you somewhere.
Nonsense. l won't let you.
Not immediately, sir.
By the first Maadha kai next year...
we'll have a concrete plan.
What is this? This Maadha kai?
The name of your birthday.
We've decided on that since it's
not likely you'd die soon.
(ready?.)
(not yet.
(not yet?
''Maadha kai'' as in this.
The characters are Ma from
''a God's name''...
and A and Da from ''the Buddha''.
lsn't that a great name?
ls that right?
Not yet?
Not yet?
l'm back.
lt's a genuine Johnny
Walker bottle...
but the content is different.
lt's medical alcohol.
l got it from a doctor
l know.
He made it by mixing tea
and brown sugar.
The taste is questionable,
but it's effective.
l must say, l'm beginning
to feel good.
Professor.
When we were students, we
often drank with you.
When we got drunk, you led us
to a lot of mischief.
We switched nameplates
on houses.
When you sobered up, you'd make
us put them back again.
So sorry, sir.
Professor. Do you want your
new house
Japanese or Western style?
As l already said,
l won't let you.
Leave it to us, Professor.
Now that the war is over, major
publishers are reopening.
One of them has offered to pay
in advance for the right...
to publish your works.
Leave it to us.
There is a piece of land we are
considering now.
We can build a small garden.
What kind would you like?
l'd like to have a pond.
A pond?
A garden pond?
There won't be space
for a big pond...
but a small one will be possible.
l don't want such a small one.
l'd like to keep some fish...
but fish swim in the
same direction.
lf the pond is so small...
they'd have to bend their
bodies all the time.
lt'll be pathetic if their
backs get bent.
Fish's backs?
What about this idea?
The whole garden is a pond.
That's a lot of construction work.
Then... make the pond circumference
as large as possible.
Build an island in
the middle.
Make a doughnut
shaped pond.
You come up with the
weirdest ideas.
You're beyond us
mediocre men.
He seriously worries about
fish's backs.
l must say, he's a genius.
He's a child. He never
grows up.
l got it.
That's what turns you on.
Don't be silly.
Don't hide it.
l realize... that's what we
like in him, too.
That's why it's fun to
be with him.
lsn't that right?
The moon is out.
The moon is out,
the moon is out
Round, round, perfectly round
l love old songs.
Like Henri Rousseau' paintings...
so innocent and honest..
l love songs of the
good ol' days.
During the war...
we had forgotten about such nice
things like the moon.
The moon is out,
the moon is out
Round, round, perfectly round
The moon is like a tray
''The houses demolished
under frequent fires...
''are incalculable.
''Alone the trivial hermitage
remains tranquil...
without dread.
''Though small and poor...
it offers a bed at night...
and a seat the day.
''What more can one ask
for in a shelter''?
THE FlRST MAADHA KAl
To celebrate our professor's
61st birthday...
we will open the first
Maadha kai party.
Under the allied occupation...
food and alcohol are not
easy to come by.
Luckily, with the cooperation
of all the members...
we were able to hold
this banquet.
As the chairman. let me voice
our appreciation...
to the officers who have
done so well.
Words from our professor... and a
large glass of beer.
Please drink up in one breath.
Then a toast in his honor.
My friends and gentleman.
Thank you all for inviting
me here tonight.
Thank you for sparing time...
though some are not busy...
from your busy schedule...
to attend this wonderful
gathering.
''ls this old goat still alive?''
seems to be motives of...
the Maadha kai and that
you all have...
the desire to ask me Maadha kai
(not yet?)...
l have come to say Madadayo
(not yet).
Though it may be against
the principles...
of this meeting, ask me again next
year and the year after.
Please ask me Maadha kai.
(not yet).
l promise that l will someday...
respond to you by saying Mouiiyo
(l'm ready).
l assure you l am well-prepared.
The person to my right... has taken
care of me for years.
He is my physician, Dr. Kobayashi.
He will sign my death certificate.
The gentleman on my left...
is one of the alumni.
He took over his family
business...
and is now a priest at a temple.
Rev. Kameyama will...
perform the final ritual
before l die.
ln any case...
l am about to empty this large...
glass of beer in one breath...
And even if l die on the spot...
there is nothing to worry about.
Madadayo (not yet
Cheers!
Gongratulations.
Gentlemen, while you are still free...
from the effects of the liquor...
a short speech from the
each of you.
Make them short and simple.
Long live the professor!
That was too short.
lt's felicitating.
A long one'll be a condolence.
l am deeply grateful to
the professor.
When we staged the opera ''Faust''
in German under his guidance...
l was given a wonderful role.
l will always treasure that
memory of sensation.
Did you play Mephistopheles?
No, sir.
l played the eternal virgin
Faust fell in love with...
Margarita.
l'm awkward with
speeches, so...
l'll recite all the station names
from Hokkaido to Kyushu.
Express trains?
No, for the locals.
That 'll be something.
Kushiro, Shin-Fuji, Ohtanoshige,
Shoro, Shiranuka, Onbetsu...
Let's forget him. Next.
l don't understand why today is
an auspicious day.
Probably because professor
is still alive.
l'm alive, too, but there's...
l don't it's auspicious.
Say, your holiness!
You embarrass me.
Then, Eminence!
That, too.
Then, Priest!
That's better.
How's your business?
Are you busy?
Quite busy, thank you.
That's why l don't want you
to come yet.
Then l shall have to wait.
By the way, Mr. Quack.
Candidly speaking...
how long would you say
can l hold out?
Let me see.
Granted you keep to
my advice...
l'll guarantee another
15-16 years.
That's bad.
lf he lives so long, we officers
will be accused.
Drink up, professor.
You're a juyaku (executive),
aren't you?
Yes, thank you, sir.
Have you ever thought of
the word ''executive''?
Not particularly, sir.
That's the trouble.
Comes from ''execute''...
''enforce,'' ''discharge''...
even ''behead''.
You mustn't be vain just because
you became an executive.
Such a person is not worthy.
Must be executed.
Now that my turn has come...
l would like to...
l owe it all to professor...
thank you, professor.
Professor, you have taught us
the joy of drinking.
But some only got drunk and
had given you trouble.
Sugino went wild swinging
beer bottles.
When Kitamura got drunk, he'd
hug and kiss anyone.
Professor!
Shaved off your beard?
Yes, l did.
Mustn't do such a thing...
without telling us.
Why, sir?
The beard was a part of your
face for many years.
We all recognized you...
because of that beard.
Now it's gone... l didn't
recognize you at first.
Granted, the beard was yours,
but...
it was also ours, so...
mustn't shave it off
on your own.
Sorry, l'll grow it again.
That won't do.
lf you grow it again... we won't
recognize you.
Muito obrigado!
As you all know... professor
is indeed-read.
One time...
he told us not to take for granted...
that ears are attached to the head.
because Ampriobiris spirias
has ears on its feet.
What's Ampriobirisus spirias?
What is that? lt's Ampriobiris
spirias.
Please, sir.
Gentlemen.
Don't crowd me like this.
l can't cope with you
all by myself.
Let's toast once again...
and we all enjoy the occasion
as we like.
Gentlemen.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Drinking parties are interesting.
At one time, all the members
become intoxicated.
lt somehow reminds me of...
water in a pot coming
to a boil.
That is why...
l still feel l am his student.
The professor is great.
That's right.
Not that professors are great... but
a great man became a professor.
Professor is like the sun to us.
Overstatement.
That would be an exaggeration...
so l'll say he's like the moon.
Overstatement.
Wait.
There are half moons.
Or one-third moons.
Or at times no moons. Likes
professor's lessons.
This is why l compare him
to the moon.
The moon is great
The moon is the sun's sister
The moon turns into
a perfect circle
The moon turns into a bow
Spring, summer,
autumn, winter
She shines over entire Japan
The moon is out,
the moon is out
Round, round, perfectly round
The moon is like a tray
The moon is hiding, hiding
Behind black, black,jet black
Clouds like black ink
The moon is out once again
Round, round, perfectly, round
The moon is like a tray
Gentlemen.
Remember...''One-two Mr. Pharmacist''.
Let's do that.
One-two Medicine is
the best in Japan
One two
Buy One-two medicine
One, two, one two
The medicine cures...
One, two
Pyrosis, stomach trouble,
diarrhea
Dizziness before and
after childbirth
Asthma, headache, influenza
From here, is my original.
Take the pace.
Medicine can cure
numerous illnesses
But no medicine
can cure a fool
Foolishness is in
heaps today
Japan is blooming with
fools now
Suffer defeat, held
under occupation
But fools call it the
end of the war
Right about!
Advocating democracy
loud and clear
Only crooks throw
their weight about
Bribery and corruption
currently pass with impunity
Brazen fair and square
Scandals, paradise, a
doodlebug trap
Those haughty fools
never learn
Chirp and twitter all in unison
Chirp, chirp,
twitter, twitter
The end.
ljuin, Manjishi, Nishi-Kagoshima,
Kagoshima...
We've arrived!
Mas...
What? Where is everybody?
Don't know. Have some more.
Could that be me?
lt seems like it.
Maadha kai (not yet?
Maadha kai?
Madadayo! (not yet
Maadha kay?.
Madadayo!
Maadha kai?
Madadayo!
Maadha kai?
Madadayo!
Professor's new house
was completed.
Only this pair for men. The rest
are for women.
My beautiful garden is not
that spacious.
You'll manage with them.
To make the pond, the house had
to be squeezed down.
When you think of that
matchbox house...
this is indeed as big
as a palace.
Right?
lndeed it is.
We're flattered.
Still, l do flatter myself with this
doughnut-shaped pond.
lt's a brilliant idea.
The Pacific may be vast...
but swimming straight... you'll
reach the shores of America.
Swimming round in this pond...
the distance is limitless.
l want to keep carp in this pond.
Big ones you only see in dreams.
They could be as big as
rowboats.
That's impossible.
lnfinite this pond may be... they'll
curl up and end up motionless.
Bad for their backs.
l meant it as a figure
of speech.
Like in the expression... ''gray hair
3,ooo-yard long'' in a Chinese poem.
lmagine a carp the size
of a whale.
By the way...
The Golden pavilion is built in a
pond, and my house...
although small and...
and not sparkling,...
is quite like it.
so put this up.
KlNKAKUJl (guests forbidden)
This golden Pavilion...
forbids such boisterous
crowds like us.
l'll use it as my study,... so l
won't allow any guests.
What do you think? lsn't this
lot too small?
Could be worked out with
the plan.
LAND FOR SALE
Tea is ready.
Yes, ma'am.
The man who greeted you,...
who is he?
The owner of that lot.
.He came the other day to ask
me if l'd buy that lot.
l don't have so much money.
l have to refuse, but...
he was very courteous.
Approaching me...
so politely, l find it hard
to tell him.
Seems he found a buyer.
Yes, l'm glad.
Are you keeping that cat?
l call it Nora, because it's a Nora
neko (alley cat).
My wife gave it dried fish,...
and it's lived here.
Besides, it has good
physiognomy.
Cat physiognomy?
Sounds odd.
How else can l say it?
But it does sound rather odd.
Anyway, this cat is
well-cultured.
Better mannered than you.
Excuse me.
Yes.
Be good.
He wants to pay his
respects to you.
Excuse me.
What? That's why i came to
pay him my respect.
-But...
-Rot the ''buts''.
l bought the land.
lt's my land now.
l can build whatever l like.
That's true, but...
you must think about your
neighbor.
Building a three-story house...
next to their fence is
unreasonable.
Unreasonable?
The surveying proved the
lot is smaller.
Another floor must be added to the
two-story house l planned.
lf you do that, you'll be...
depriving them of the sun.
So what? That's none of
my concern.
Lllet's go!
Please wait.
The negotiation is closed.
Please wait.
l've changed my mind.
What? l'm not selling.
Don't be ridiculous.
Now that the contract is made,...
the land is mine.
l haven't signed it yet.
lt's still my land.
l absolutely will not sell that
land to you.
Excuse me.
l'm grateful to you for being so
considerate about us.
l can't thank you enough.
But wouldn't it put you...
in a bad spot?
As for my house, even though
there's no sunlight...
lf that's the case...
But what...
-Let's do it.
-Shall we?
Let's go ask the landowner.
Professor, l must say this cat
has good qualities.
The cat was angry at that
blockhead.
But that landowner seems to
be a good man.
Where does he live?
He lives in a shack at the
base of that lot.
We must be leaving.
Stay a bit longer.
l'm still upset.
Let's drink.
l've prepared some
food and...
Sorry, ma'am. l must go.
So must l.
Good-bye.
NANZANJU
Professor, what does this
Nanzanju mean?
Long life of Nanzan.
An expression wishing long life.
Should be read nanzansu.
l hung it up, because l am
reluctant to talk to visitors.
Nanzansu is ''Whaddya want''
at the brothel.
The courtesan used this expression
during the Edo Era.
Of course, it's short for
nan-zamasu.
lt's perfect for that blockhead.
Nanzansu indeed. My God,
he's annoying.
l detest that dear man.
Good-bye, sir.
Good-bye.
Something strange is
cooking up.
Why did they hurry
off like that?
Good baby, good baby,
dear Nora.
Let me hold him, too.
Hey, let me.
Come on.
lf you consent to it...
Thank you.
l can buy a small house
with this...
and send for my family.
l don't know how to thank you.
You can thank our professor.
He truly is grateful to you.
We understand how he feels.
So... lf he finds out about this
deal, it'll be awkward.
l know.
Please, keep this a secret
from him.
He'll know in time... but leave the
lot as it is until then.
You all...
are such nice people.
You're a nice person
yourself.
But the nicest one is
our professor.
We try as best to imitate him.
Good-bye.
That was good.
By the way... Nanzansu?
(What, dear?)
Let's drink.
Where shall we go?
To the professor's.
Great idea. That's a charming
idea.
Professor's in trouble.
What's wrong?
He isn't sick. The cat
disappeared.
Madam called me.
Wants us to come.
Professor hasn't stopped crying
since the cat disappeared.
Dear...
Please.
l received a call from Madam.
Are you all right?
Of course, l am.
Nothing more than a cat.
Nora has disappeared before.
He'll come back.
Thank you for coming.
l'd be grateful, if you could spare
time to eat with us.
You'd do me a favor
if you could.
Since Nora disappeared,... he's
eaten almost nothing.
You may think l'm stupid.
No...
To be honest...
l am stupid.
l'm totally hopeless.
Since Nora disappeared...
l can think of nothing else.
l can't do anything.
l only think about Nora.
Do you see that willow tree?
Nora...
came through an opening in
the fence there.
Since then he became a member
of this household.
Since Nora disappeared...
l can't help... looking
at that hole.
Nora might be coming thorough the
opening in the fence again.
l want to see it.
The other day...
l went to Kyushu to
give a lecture.
On the way back...
Through the window... in the
dark station...
i saw Nora.
it may sound strange, but...
l really did see Nora.
l saw him clearly.
Something bothered me.
When l reached
Tokyo Station...
l called my house.
As l thought...
That day...
after nightfall...
Nora wanted to go out.
l picked him up and said:
''Stay home, it's late.''
He wanted to go out...
so l took him outside.
Nora grew impatient and... wiggle
until he slipped out of my arms.
He went through the opening.
After a while...
it began to rain.
And later it began to pour.
Nora probably couldn't return
in that rain.
On the bathtub cover...
is Nora's bed.
My husband sometimes
goes there.
Looks at the cushion.
He caresses it dearly...
and weeps.
l really don't know
what to do.
Professor!
l'm ashamed to show my
miserable face.
l may be...
sentimental...
or overreaching or weak-willed
or whatever...
l just can't help it.
l try to forget...
but keep remembering Nora.
Then l feel so much pain.
l can't bear it.
Professor, we'll find Nora.
We'll organize a search party
to find Nora.
So please, professor...
That's a dog.
We promised we would
find Nora, but...
We should try searching places
saved from fire.
Why should professor suffer
so much?
Our professor is very special.
He's not you or me.
His sensitivity and imagination
are beyond us.
When he thinks of Nora...
he can picture every detail.
That's why he suffers.
Can't just sit and watch.
You're right. Let's try.
DEAR NORA
This is our professor's diary...
which he wrote about
Nora with affection.
Here.
Here.
Tio!
There are cats everywhere,
hundreds around.
But it simply has
to be this cat.
How come?
Do you have a brother?
Sure, l do.
He's still a baby.
lf your brother is switched with
some other baby...
That's terrible.
This cat is my baby.
l care for him like my child.
That's why it has to
be this cat.
Tell me if you find him.
Yes.
What it looks like is
written here...
and the address
is here, too.
Children.
Please find a cat
named Nora.
This cat seems to be around
here somewhere.
lt's a male cat with a brown
and white coat.
His tail is thick and twisted. lf
you touch it, you'll know.
lf you call out ''Nora''... he will
prick up his ears and stare at you.
A reward will be given...
to whoever finds him.
Please help us.
Since then, we received
many phone calls...
that they have seen
a cat like Nora.
Professor isn't eating much.
l know.
He eats and drinks
very little.
l can't sleep much, either.
That's terrible.
Since Nora disappeared,... he
hasn't taken a bath.
Nora's cushion is on the
bathtub cover.
l must use the public
bath far away.
ls it rain?
l used to love the sound
of rain.
Not anymore.
When l think of Nora,...
it pains me.
How about making flyers to
insert in newspapers?
l'll take them to the newspaper
distributors.
That's a good idea. l never
thought of it.
What a fool l am.
l really am.
Thinking of Nora's return,...
l wrote this announcement.
''l''... meaning Nora...
''l have been away for
some time...
''and l have worried my
master terribly...
''and given you a lot
of trouble.
''l Have safely returned,... so please
put your mind at rest.
''Seeing my face,... my master
burst into tears.
''l write this letter in his place.
''To celebrate my return...
''my master wishes to invite
you all to a drink.
''Please feel free to...''
Waiting for Nora's return,...
professor prepared a collar...
with their address
engraved on it.
But Nora still hasn't returned.
l received a letter saying l must
wait eight months...
for a stray cat to return.
This person's cat returned safely...
after eight months.
We've received some calls.
There are strange ones, too.
The other day, a person asked
me if Nora mews.
l said, ''yes''.
Then he said, ''doesn't he bark?
Hee hee hee.''
And hung up.
Hello.
Yes?
Has your cat returned?
No.
He might have been stolen.
Ma'am, cats often get stolen.
There are cat-catchers.
Catch cats and sell their skin.
The prices aren't bad.
Shamisen uses cat skin.
Your cat could be stolen.
l'll check up on that.
Good day.
Hello.
Dear. Dear.
Dear, they found Nora.
Nora was in such a place?
lt's Nora. lt's Nora.
Nora!
Dear Nora!
Nora's friend, the fishmonger's
wife, says so.
Thank you.
My wife will go.
l thank you.
Hello.
Takayama?
They found Nora.
lt's positive.
Can you tell the others?
l saw a wonderful dream.
l dreamt of feeding Nora.
Nora will return.
l was going to tell you...
and l brought Nora's
favorite fish.
Professor, congratulations.
From my boss.
Thank you indeed.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
They were wrong.
lt wasn't Nora.
l'll get it.
That's right.
Who the hell are you?
l'll smack your face!
What's up?
Damn!
''Nora's gone. Already
a Shamisen''.
Saying so, he sounded the
Shamisen.
Come here.
Come here.
Come here.
This was intended for Nora,...
but it's yours now.
Go on, eat it.
ls it good?
Like Nora, you seem to like
baby mackerels.
That's a good cat.
Professor seems to have
recovered.
Madam called.
The cat.
Found Nora? Relax.
lt's not Nora.
That black and white,...
Black on white...
You relax.
Calm down.
-Give me water.
-Here's some.
That's why.
What? Calm down.
What's this black
and white cat?
Oh, yes. Remember that cat?
The one madam was feeding?
lt's there to stay. Professor
now picks it up.
Kurz. Kurz.
What's this ''Kurz''?
Did you forget that simple
German word?
''Kurz'' lt means ''short'' in
German.
Has a short tail.
-What tail?-The cat's tail!
That black and white cat
has a short tail...
so Professor named it Kurz.
Even named it.
She said he's Ok.
l'm glad to hear that.
She wants us all to
come tonight.
l'll fetch Kiriyama. You fetch
Sawamura.
-Phone them.
-Yes, the phone.
The phone's here.
Relax.
Kuru, Kuru.
you're a good baby.
Leave it to my wife, and Kurz
becomes Kuru.
Kuru's not bad. lt's easy
to pronounce.
Easy to pronounce.
Leave it be at that.
l really went to pieces
over Nora...
and troubled you all.
Because of that, l caused you
so much trouble.
l'm sorry.
Were's Kurz? Sleeping in
Nora's bed.
l am so given to peevishness.
And linger in regrets.
Can you believe that?
l still do that.
Not mosquito repellent.
lncantation to bring back
missing cats.
l still do such a thing.
l'm disgusted at myself.
But l'm all right now.
l've always been the hare
in the myth...
saved by the Harvest God.
Don't you all know...
There was a white hare
in inaba
Raw fresh with skin peeled off
Yes, l remember.
Carrying a large bag
over his shoulder
Who can the Harvest God be?
That's the fourth verse.
This song has many verses.
lt's about an injured hare saved
by the Harvest God.
l am that hare.
And...
Who can the Harvest God be?
lt is no other than you all.
As far as Nora is concerned...
people who sent me
kind letters...
people who called me...
all those who worried for
Nora with me...
the Harvest God is
those people.
Carrying a large bag
over his shoulder
The Harvest God's
large bag is...
full of your kindness.
That kindness...
saved me form despair.
Carrying a large bag
over his shoulder
The Harvest God came
around the bend
There he sees the
white hare of inaba
Raw fresh with skin
peeled off
The Harvest God took
pity on the hare
Taught the hare to wash itself
in clear water
And wrap itself in reed
mace cotton
As the Harvest God
taught him
The hare washed itself
in clear water
And wrapped itself in
reed mace cotton
He was once again
the white hare
Gentlemen.
Who could the
Harvest God be?
Towers in memory of Nora
and Kurz...
were erected in the professor's
garden.
Nora was never found.
Kurz, living a full life,...
sleeps here.
And the willow tree has
grown to this height.
THE 1 7TH MAADHA KAl PARTY
l now remember the time...
when l became 60 years old.
At the time...
l thought l had become a
genuine old man.
But now that l have turned 77...
to celebrate my birthday again...
l realize when l was 60...
l was nothing more than a
young punk.
But now...
l have become a genuine
old man.
At one time, you confronted me
with so many Maadha kay calls...
that in response l thought of
hanging myself...
So l can say Mouiiyo
(l'm ready) to you
But, ironically,...
from the willow tree in
my garden.
At the time, was still small
and narrow.
lt was useless for hanging.
But now the willow tree
has grown.
lt is good enough for hanging.
But l am still here.
l must ask your forgiveness.
My good friends and gentlemen...
l thank you all for this
occasion.
According to your custom...
l will drink up this large
glass of beer.
The glass has shrunk again.
ls this your idea?
The glass gets smaller
and smaller.
lt is no longer a large glass.
Even that is too big for
you now.
Don't complain and drink up.
Madadayo! (not yet
Let's toast for our professor.
Congratulations.
By this, we finish the usual
Maadha kai ritual.
We will now hold our
professor's...
77th birthday celebration.
First, the presentation
of flowers.
They're your student's daughters.
Happy birthday.
Thank you
Next,...
from the Maadha kai members,
a birthday cake.
Oh, no.
You'll have candles to
equal my age...
and l must blow them out.
l can't do it.
Mustn't treat an old man
so cruelly.
But, professor, since we can't
have77 candles...
only seven candles.
Even seven candles may
be a burden.
Some of my teeth are missing.
Much of the air leaks out.
These children?
They're their grandchildren.
Look how lovely they are.
l feel like eating them.
l want to give the cake...
to the children who
brought it.
Come here, Children.
With this cake, there is
something...
l want to give you.
Let me say this.
Please find something you
really like.
Find something that...
you'd be able to treasure.
When you find it...
Work very hard...
for your treasure.
At that time,...
you will have the treasure...
you must work hard for.
And it will become a career you
put your heart into.
That is your real treasure.
Too difficult perhaps.
l'm sorry.
Take it.
Thank you.
Now, all you grandpas
and grandmas...
dads and moms... let's drink
and have a good time.
Professor.
Let's do ''One-two'' again.
As you say... there are
so many...
irritating things in the world
recently.
Graft, bribery are at large
One, two
Let's go out dancing.
Professor!
Professor!
As the professor's family
doctor...
l must say there is nothing
to worry about.
lt is just one of his chronic
irregular pulse fits.
l suggest he goes home and
rests for a while.
l'm all right.
Don't worry.
Madadayo. (not yet
We officers will escort professor
to his house.
Don't worry,...
and continue the party
for his sake.
Professor.
My husband's cane.
You look so nonchalant.
Damn monk.
Don't worry. He's not ready
for me yet.
Thank you.
Looking up to our teacher
Thinking of our debt
to our teacher
Over the garden of teaching
Countless years have
already passed
So fast is the passage of time
The years and the months...
Nothing to worry.
lf he rests well tonight,
he'll be fine.
l'm worried about those guys.
They may cause trouble.
Don't wake the professor
and drink again.
You're joking. We'll hit
the sack.
Don't wet the bed.
That quack.
Mattresses are in there.
Shall l... We'll do it,
ma'am.
There may not be enough.
l hope it won't be cold.
No worry... if we have a drink.
That's good enough.
But...
Like our student days.
Remember his speech?
We'll soon be genuine old men,
too.
There's nothing. Thank you,
ma'am.
l'll sleep in the Kinkakuji.
lf anything...
Don't worry.
lt's Ok.
You mustn't wake professor.
Yes, ma'am.
-Good night.
-Good night.
lt's great.
What is?
When we used to stay over...
he made us prepare
for the lessons.
That was a real pain.
No need for that tonight nor go
to school tomorrow.
We've passed all that.
Madadayo. (not yet
He's sound asleep.
He must be dreaming.
l wonder what kind of dreams
he sees.
His dreams must be solid gold,
too.
Maadha Kai?
(ready?)
Madadayo!
(not yet)
Madadayo!
(not yet)
Madadayo!
(not yet)
Maadha Kai?
Madadayo!
Madadayo!
Madadayo!
THE END