Yu Ta-fu chuan ji (1988) - full transcript
Emperor Hirohito
surrendered on 18 August. 1945
I was an interpreter
during the war
I told them to locate a Japanese
On the evening of 29 August
they got news and took me to the Gendarmerie
Me and my friends
operated a distillery
and made a type of rice wine
called First Love
A gendarme asked me if it was so named
to commemorate my first love
I said one drunks
just love like wine
If everyone gets drunk
there will be no more killings
He said my imagination
would make me a writer
I wanted to tell him then I really am one
He asked if the Japanese
I want is Isao
who was posted
in Shantung in 1920 and
transferred to Japanese Concession
in Shanghat in 1934
And if so. I should've met him
We were in Shanghai then
In 1943. he was transferred to Canton
Somehow I felt he tried to avoid me
I yearned to know where he was
The Gendarmerie
asked me about
my relationship with him
As it was more than 6 months
since I made the enquiries
I told him he is a friend I made
when I studied in Japan
They asked me about the subject I took
and I lied that is was medicine
Anyway I'm now making a living
as a wine merchant
After debunking my secret. they asked
if I graduated from
Nagoya's No 8 Senior School
and got a BA degree
from the Imperial U Tokyo
Obviously they knew
I'm Yu Ta-fu
They asked if
Yu Ta-fu was my real name
I complained that
they'd wasted so much time
finding that out without asking me
They said they knew
Yu Ta-fu is a famous writer
I knew the more famous I was
the more trouble I would be in
I frankly told them my background
when asked
I lived in Tokyo
in 1913
My brother was a judge in Peking
assigned to inspect legal affairs in Japan
As I. at 17
was unable to find a suitable school
and had to study Chinese classics at home
he took me to Tokyo to sit for an exam
Don't disgrace us Chinese overseas
Memorize these
Don't overeat
Japanese rice 1s hard to digest
Wear clothes according to custom
Be polite when going in or out of the room
Pass water or defecate in utensils only
Wear wooden clogs in the toilet only
Don't wear foreign shoes when in a kimono
ALUEO
Ka. Ki. Ku. Ke. Ko
Sa. Si. Su. Se. So
Quiet! Shut up!
Ta
ALUEO
You Chinaman. idiot!
Sa. Si. Su. Se. So
Ta. Ti. Tu. Te. To
Na Ni
Baka. Chinaman
Chinaman. China. Baka
Chinaman. Baka
Chinaman. Baka
They say Sun Yat-sen
& others came to Tokyo
They fled. not came
The murder of Sung Chiao-jen
by Yuan Shih-kai
shows the warlords
will make a mess out of China
Sorry. no politics
These are matters of personal interest
How many Japanese words
have you learnt?
I'm Chinaman. Baka
Japanese call us Chinamen
That's an insult
I don't think
you'll make it
Return to the country
tomorrow
Let him try before making other plans
Atami is a famous
hot spring near Tokyo
My brother has never
taken me there
The Japanese clean their bodies
before dipping in it
Sorry for the interruption
How are you. sir? It's a fine day
I could hardly catch
what she said
They say Japanese are used to mixed bath
& we Chinese students should take this calmly
The water was hot & she dipped for long
without daring to stand up
What kept you so long?
It was too comfortable
Chinaman
Father. I left my Japanese umbrella inside
Forget it. we must catch the train
Miss. I'm also Chinese
My name is Yu Ta-fu
What about yours?
What's your last name. please. miss?
It was Chao. but now it’s Goto
Where do you live?
It remains to be decided by father
Where are you going?
We'll run a restaurant here
Miss
May 9. 1915 is a National Humiliation Day
Many students have returned from Japan to China
I'm not leaving for the sake of China & my future
To see her again I won't leave
Tokyo-to Totsukyo
Kyoku Chiyosa-ka
Aoemakigami. Akamakigami. Kimakigam!
Tokyo-to Totsukyo
Kyoku Chiyosa-ka
Aoemakigami. Akamakigami. Kimakigam!
Tokyo-to Totsukyo
Kyoku Chiyosa-ka
To meet the exam
I studied at 5 every morning
& took Japanese lessons in a tutorial school
3 months before the exam
I regularly studied until 5 the following morning
Until I heard the whistle
from the factory
We must go back
Peking made me the judge of Supreme Court
Is the pay attractive?
I passed & could stay at government expenses
You were spoiled
you need care
I'm already 17
You're not yet 21
Brother. let me stay
I'll study hard
I take a bath every day
I do my own laundry
I clip my toe nails every week
Brother. I beg you
You're Chinese. not Japanese
I had a hard time learning Japanese
but I can speak it well
It's a lovely day
Thanks for your hospitality
You don't have to master Japanese
Learn foreign science technology
& practical subjects
You're weak
You can't even be a coolie
or a rickshaw puller
or pull an ox for plowing
You must complete your education
or you will become a bum
Yes
I won't stay in Tokyo
for I resent city life
I've chosen Nagoya’s No & Senior School
for it abounds in beautiful girls
Want to rent a room?
Sorry. the Chinamen are
both dirty and unethical
They don't take one bath in a whole week
They only wipe their bodies & feet with water
Chinamen are idiots
I'm a Chinaman
Are you? You don't look like one
Not afraid of lofty mountains. charge!
Not afraid of surging waves. charge!
For China I march forward with sweat & blood
The territory. the air.
Morning. Miss Zuko
Morning. Mr Chou
Are you new? Let's go. Give up
Only this one admits Chinese students
Li. have you read the newspaper?
We saw President Yuan
& Vice-President Li
We even had a group photo
I'm on the front row? Can you identify me?
To oppose the Government's signing of 21 clauses
we laid down our schoolbags to return to Peking
to protest with unprecedented success
I'm a student representative in Nagoya
Come to see me if anything happens
Do you hate Japanese?
Have you seen any traitors?
Kuo can be considered
a No 1 unpatriotic Chinese
He not only married
a Japanese but
Please go out!
To protest the 21 clauses.
many have divorced their wives
& returned to Peking with the Army
But this Mr Kuo has no sense of nationalism
Go out
You're a traitor. confess it
Ta-fu. you're patriotic
Have the 21 clauses
been abrogated?
It's the principle that counts
Why are you coming back then?
I've to humiliate myself for a cause
What a clever defence for a traitor
Hsiao Shu
Hsiao Shu. how's your German?
Fine! Fine!
This is Ta-fu. a newcomer
Hsiao Shu. have you been demoted this year?
Yes
You're in the same class then
Hsiao Shu's also a medical student Shake hands
Come tn!
Come... Come in!
You'll be swell when we're not in
Look. you're skinny like a bag of bones
Not a full bag!
How many Japanese girls have you had?
Five
So few?
One night!
Drink! Drink!
Cheers! This 1s yours
Come
Ta-fu. greet Mr Li
Crazy? You must learn from Mr Li
Our country
must be modernized
We must be Americanized in studies
British in smoking and Japanized in womanizing
Yes!
This place is called Geshiku
catering for us
the dirty and shameless Chinamen
Spittoons are specially made for us
GUTEN MORGAIN
GUTEN MORGAIN
GUTEN TAG. GUTEN TAG
AUF WIEDERSE HEN
I've read several medical journals in a library
They all say masturbation
is a most harmful behaviour
I must study hard to beat the Japanese
Who 1s it?
I consoled myself with this each time
Today is Friday
I'll forsake this bad habit
next Monday
or turn over a new leaf
next month
Morning Morning
Please be seated
Morning
Ta-fu. did you enjoy yourself last night?
What?
Masturbation
It's harmful to health
Remember to take milk with eggs next morning
Sorry
It's more nutritious to take one more egg
Ta-fu. what are you doing?
Are you taking raw eggs?
You've taken two?
You're no longer a child
Do you enjoy peeping?
I know Chou and Li are both evil
Give them a piece of your mind
Have one more
I've visited all the Chinese restaurants in Tokyo
Could she be in Nagoya?
Sorry Welcome
Chinamen. get out!
He's our guest. sir
Shut up!
You stateless bastard
Get out
Never mind them
Go In and sit down
Get out. idiot!
Have you eaten?
Thank you. sir
I didn’t mean to save you
Are you Chinese?
Which province do you come from?
I'm Japanese. but I've been in Manchuria
I was teaching my brethren a lesson
Then I learnt he's Isao
a classmate. 2 grades higher
On opening
or graduation days
the educational directive
by Meii Tanno in 1890 Is read
urging the Japanese to be loyal
I can do better than they
Isao
I do better in writing compositions & poems
1. 2. 3. kill!
1. 2. 3. kill!
1. 2. 3. kill!
1. 2. 3. kill!
Harder. Chinamen
Give It to me!
Hold it! Kill?
Kill!
Kill!
Kill
1.2.3.4.5
1.2.3.4.5
Change
Hsiao Shu
Stand still
Chinaman. no wonder you're slaves
Change with that weakling!
1.2.3.4.5
1.2.3.4.5
1.2.3.4.5
What are you doing?
Each of you is hopeless
How can you serve your country?
How can you be an overseas student?
Go back and be a farmer. Chinaman
Stand up! There's still field training
Hsiao Shu. let's give up together
Miss. do you remember me?
I dipped in a hot spring with you
You said you'd run a restaurant
Ouch!
Don't go away!
Ta-fu. move!
The Supervisor of gymnastics
is a Lt. Colonel
All the gymnastics teachers here are soldiers
How much more ordeal
am I going to suffer?
Three more years. and you can be a soldier
Take a good rest
Hsiao Shu. how many marks have you got?
And you?
75 points
I think I do better than those Japanese. And you?
Impossible. you're a demoted student
They say you've got 75 points
We doubt it. Show us
You Chinamen
have low 1Q
Either there's been a miscalculation
or you cheated
Right. Chinamen are incorrigible
Ta-fu. you've regularly layed truant
I don't feel like taking gymnastics
Coward!
It's no gymnastics but military training
I'm not Japanese
Everybody needs military training
and the more do you
You're too weak
I don't have to be a soldier
I'm a student
No wonder you'd to sign the unfair treaty
You're doomed to be slaves
Forget it. Ta-fu. I'm only joking
If you don't do it in 3 years
you can't graduate
I didn’t see such a doctor
He's practically our family doctor
Some doctors do not give treatment for diseases
but for money
If he proves you've asthma
you don't have to attend
Does it require a lot of money?
Come on. cheers!
I can't afford to repay you
Why are you helping me?
In a quest for glory my heart sings
Who would pity me when I wake up next spring?
Is Chun Chiang your pen name?
I'm editor of the school magazine
The 8 poems contributed by
you have all been accepted
They all admire your poems
and feel that you have high potentials
Thank you
I'm writing for fun only
Don't be modest
It's the result of your efforts
Keep up with it
I only admire people
with vitality & talent
An scholar yearns to meet you
What a rare opportunity!
When Isao brought me
the poems with
your pen name.
I thought it was a middle-aged man
So you're a talented
young man
Your Japanese 1s not bad either
Have you read
any Japanese works here?
Yes. Geryi Monogatari impressed me most
It's my favorite novel
It's a rather difficult classical piece
I was only 18
when Mr Hattori
was a respected Japanese poet
but he escorted me to the railway station
He reminded me of my father
He died when I was three
Mr Hattori is kind
I've high respect for him
Sorry
The wine's here
How's it?
Really nice
Remember me?
Sorry
In the Atami Hot Spring
Remember? We dipped in the spring together
Ta-fu. this is a high class restaurant
It's true! I even followed her rickshaw
I never knew you were so wild to a girl
I did see her undress
I really did see it!
Any problem with your kidney?
You don't have to water after drinking so much
I don't mind
Ta-fu. how about taking a bath?
Wait
She's inside! Faster!
Not used to this?
I really took a bath with her
She has a mole over here
Is that so?
Bad! Come down quickly!
Someone said he saw the mole in your back
Come up! You wanted to see it
Go away! What are you doing?
See if it's her
She's now naked
Let's go! Let's go!
Yes! Yes! You're Chinese
Go now! What a scoundrel!
What happened?
Miss
Sorry. miss
Don't be so impatient
Ta-fu. are you fond of her?
Me. too
Don't you need the toilet?
No
I met her first
Would you compete with me?
Yes. why not?
Let's make a gentleman's agreement
We're friends. let's have a fair competition
First. neither of us shall date her alone
What if she dates me?
Second. no back-biting in her presence
Sure
Third. neither of us
shall show her our love
Okay. that's all
Goodbye
Goodbye
"I love you but you wouldn't care"
"My sleeve is wet with tears but I don't dare"
You've woken up all the neighbors
Will you open the door for me to say something?
"I love you but you won't care"
"My sleeve is wet with tear but I don't dear"
"to express my feeling for you"
"How I wish that there's a song we can share"
Miss
Don't!
Don't!
Don't come to see me anymore!
Why are you avoiding me?
Do you want to lose an arm?
Two Chinese met in a hot spring in Japan
Isn't that destiny
I thought you were Japanese
So you mind taking a bath
with a Chinese?
No
You didn't mind then
Yes
But I was new and ignorant then
Me. too I thought you were Japanese
used to taking baths with boys
I've been trying to find you
My dad won't admit my association with Chinese
He might kill us
if he knew
what happened to us
Is he inside?
No. he went to Canton a few days ago
We can go together tomorrow
Did I say I'd go?
He's Isao. my friend
Is it romantic enough?
What about our agreement?
What agreement?
Never mind! Tell me!
Never mind
You little fox!
Don't start that again
Tell me
I told you it was nothing
I'll kill you!
There's really nothing
Speak up
Tell me. or I'll kill you
Ouch!
This way! Come down quickly!
This way!
This way!
Look!
Give It back to me
Look at it when you're home
I think I love you
What did he say? Tell me!
He said... I love you
Long live Japan! Long live Japan!
Don't leave now!
I'm going out for a kendo duel
Have you ever seen kendo?
Shall we go and see it?
Are you out of your mind?
Stop playing!
You fight with him
I can't
Try and you'll learn it
Come on!
I can't!
I really can't
Come on!
He's a coward
He daren't fight with me
Maybe you fight with him
Okay
I give up
Enough! Enough!
I've lost
I give up! I give up!
Enough! Enough!
You've lost
No females are allowed here
But I don't mind
You don’t honor your words
It's you who don't. not me
What words. Ta-fu?
Dear Lung
this is my 1st letter to a girl
Give it back to me!
When you read this letter.
I'm thinking of you
Every night I think back to
the time we spent with you in the day
Dirty. you're as dirty as other Japanese
You dare not say "I love you"
Scoundrel!
You're not a gentleman. you're a coward
Give it back to me!
Mammy wrote & urged me to get married
She's arranged
a girl for me
The Chinese are still so feudalistic
No wonder Yuan has a chance to be Emperor
Who ts it? It's me Lung
Wait
Let me know the contents of that letter
This is my 1st letter to a girl
I know. what else?
"I was happy on those days"
I'll always remember
the happiness you brought me
on those draggy days
Is that all? It was a long letter
I had a lot to write
but could only put them down in few words
What does that mean?
It means... In a word
I love you?
Is that right?
Yes! How do you know?
You're quite straightforward
Am I the first one?
Yes
Yes. I liked a girl and
wrote her many poems
She's lucky
When was that?
I was then 11. and she 9
Eleven?
I never tried it
My father 1s strict
What bout Japanese boys?
Tonight's my 1st time
in two years
What did you do when you were close?
Never?
Yes! I touched her hand
You call that close?
Touch me! I have two hands!
It hurts!
Cheers! I want milk
Kiss! Come and kiss me
Hsiao Shu
I won't go to school
I want milk
I won't go to school
I want milk
Lung. I'll see you after class tomorrow
I want milk
Morning Morning
Morning. Shu. not going to school?
May I ask you something?
You do well in school
without studying. Why?
I... I don't know
Hsiao Shu! Hsiao Shu!
Don't be silly
Hsiao Shu! Don't!
My grandpa was a scholar
So was my father
He died when I was born
I failed to get my scholarship
but my mother still cherishes high hopes on me
She spent everything
to support my medical education
If I can't be a doctor
I dare not return
How can I face elders in my village?
They called me
a "Japanese Scholar"
You said you hated Japanese
Protest their occupation of Eastern Provinces
Yes! Yes!
I have an appointment
Take care!
Yes
It's a large room. isn't it?
My dad ts a soldier. and a diplomat
I don't care
You don't have to date
Lung through me
You're my only friend who knows Lung
You're Japanese
His dad won't discover It
So I still have some value for you
Cheers!
A famous painting from my family
Please dispose of it for me
Why do you want to sell it?
The situation in China 1s unsteady
I'm still awaiting my government remittance
Take It
I don't want you to sell it
I still hope you'll find me a buyer
Why? How can an antique of Chinese culture
be sold to another country?
I want to buy Lung a souvenir
Remember the Chinese
saying on restraint
Love is unbridled
Nothing can stop it
What about reasoning power?
Man 1s not dictated by reasoning
lam
Shu killed himself jumping the train
Someone saw him rolled down the train
mutilated and in a pool of blood
Only broken bones
Let's pray for him
May his soul return
to his home town
What then? Become a stray ghost?
JA UND NEIN
WOHNT HEIDI EHNER IN MUNCHEN?
JA. SIE WOHNT IN MUNCHEN
REIST ERICH
SCHULZ NACH
MUNCHEN?
Ta-fu. let's see Li off
He's going to be an officer
He hasn't completed his education yet
There are lots of
U graduates in Shanghai
looking for employment
So human relations count more than education
I must study
Lr is Li Tzu-hung's distant relative
JA UND NEIN
WOHNT HEIDI EHNER IN MUNCHEN?
JA. SIE WOHNT IN MUNCHEN
REIST ERICH
SCHULZ NACH MUNCHEN?
Letters!
Sorry. Excuse me
I've entered the wrong room
Get back this letter
I haven't read it
This 1s for Lung
I'll give her in person
Sit down
You're a student
at government expenses
Why are you wasting your time here?
You're spending
the Chinese people’s sweat money
I'm doing well
in every subject
Don't you know
there are still plenty of illiterates
& starving people?
I'm not a machine
I need friends
I'm true to Lung
If you want to speak of love with my daughter.
do that after graduation
Get out!
I got Isao's reply after one month
He has dated Lung for me
I must leave
Yuan's dead
and Dr Sun Yat-sen has carried out
revolution in Canton
I hope I can help him on my return
Are you taking them back?
No. I'm returning alone
I've thought it over
This is my only chance
I'll regret all my life if I don't leave
I don't know
To China
you're only a speck
but to them you're more than one-third
You're the master of the family
If everyone thinks likewise
what'd become of China?
What would they get if you became a hero?
Do you imply I'm selfish?
Aren't you selfish?
Are you studying for your country?
Are you writing poems for your country?
Don't
You're only masturbating
Are you alright?
Return it to me! Return it to me!
You're late
I came upon a friend
He's leaving behind his
Japanese wifee's leaving behind his
japanese & his daughter to return to China
I'm going to reprimand him
Are you?
Let's find a place to talk
Let's go to a park
Sorry. I'm going to have a kendo fight
Ta-fu. take care of Lung
It's been a long time
Let's have a chat
How about going to a park?
It was still shining
What a beautiful dress
Didn't you notice it before now?
Your dad isn't too conservative
It was a birthday present
from Isao
Have you been with him all the time?
Why don't you ask me
about my birthday?
When's your birthday?
You're not sincere I won't tell you
Have you nothing to talk to me?
Let's find a place to talk
No need if there's nothing to talk about
Let's find a place first
I know of a cosy place
Where?
A cinema
This time we won't miss it
Look. so beautiful!
Are you tired? Sit down for a while
I must return Dad may return tonight
Lung
I've something to confide to you
What?
I've something to confide to you
It's already dark
Why didn't you tell me?
Are you trying to run away?
From what?
From what? Rats or elephants?
Sorry
Do you know of a Chinese named Chao?
Are you Chinese?
No. we are Koreans
Buddy. are you a Chinaman?
No
Do you know
of a Chinaman Chao here?
No
I don't want to go home
My original name was Chao
It was changed to Goto
since my dad brought me here
That Japanese was looking for your dad?
After helping Sun's revolution
he came here
Somehow he tried
to hide himself
Why?
I don't know
But I prefer my original name
I hate being called Goto
Keep this secret for me
You're a nuisance Dad won't let you see me
Can't you sneak out to see me?
Two of my poems appeared in that magazine
Is that so?
It was written for Lung
The first was composed
when you nearly chopped me to death
Still an affair to remember.
It's a combination of frivolity & fantasty
To soothe her woe
I'm writing a new poem for Begonia
Lung. I won't be seeing you for years
After graduation
I'll marry you
It's Violet perfume
Keep it and wait for me
None has been so nice to me in 2 years
Do you say "yes"?
We're not yet married
I won't be seeing you for long
You even play along with Isao
Do you dislike me?
Ta-fu
You're still young
You're still inexperienced
I won't pretend to please you
Frustrated in love?
So heavy?
Try more and you'll be used to it
You're mistaken
You said you love me
Say "yes"
I'm not that lucky
Do you say "yes"?
Don't
Say this
You said you loved me
I know I've humiliated her
I dare not see her again
I won't care to see
those disgusting Chinese again
They're not Chinese
They're Chinamen
This is a stable
Don't live in it
I beg you
There's no kitchen here
You can't cook
I beg you
It's unfit for living
I beg you
You're Chinese. alright. live in it
We'll deliver food to you
Thank you
I'll give up medicine for literature
National salvation begins with social reforms
Medicine treats patients only
It can't cure China's ills
But my brother objects to my switch
I must study literature
& graduate from university
The last time. definitely the last time
As of tomorrow. I'll turn over a new leaf
The food's here
Lung
Lung
Lung
She'll deliver food
twice daily
Sometimes she brings some fruit for me
I've written these poems for you
Excuse me
& let me walk you home?
It's fixed then
Okay
I'll count on you
Mr Chao. please take care
It's over 10 years
I've experienced something harder
Go back early
Stop. sir! Yes
Wish they were all Chinese children
99% of Japanese children
can study
What about Chinese children?
All our future children must
receive university education
Alright?
Lung. Lung
Let me take you to China
What 1s 1t?
What 1s 1t?
Dad insists on my marrying Isao
You know I love Lung
Will you give up?
Ta-fu. why have you come to Japan?
Have I no right to speak of love?
No!
Your country is poor and bastard
National salvation is your duty
A defected country
should learn modestly
or you'll be called Chinamen forever
I won't learn from you
You have no choice
I must do what I like
You'll regret
I'm a man. I have freedom
But you're a Chinese
Lung loves me
I must marry her
I'm sorry. I owe you a favor
Break it!
You must be crazy!
Whatever the difficulties
I must marry a Chinese girl
Lung's father has given me his concert
Why?
Scoundrel!
I'll take good care of Lung
I must atone for my sin
Chop!
Why?
Every night I see
many Chinese children
killed by their parents
Why have you chosen Lung?
I've done you an injustice
Chop!
Come on. chop! Chop!
I won't give up
Lung
Do I look childish?
Get going
Lung!
What's the matter with you?
Lung!
Dad. I want to be with him
I've got fed up
It's still a mess
after the revolution
It's hopeless for Chinese to kill each other
I don't want my children to suffer
I'm not Chao
We're Japanese
I want my children
to marry Japanese only
I don't want to be Chinese
Dad. I know you don't mean it
Ta-fu. will you agree to be Japanese?
If you do. Lung will marry you
Just change your surname
Suzuki? Yamada? Tanaka?
Traitor! You're out of your mind!
Dad!
Traitor. let you be Japanese if you prefer
Ta-fu
Ta-fu. there's something you don't understand
Don't take Lung away
Scoundrel!
Dad! Dad!
Don't go away!
Dad! Dad!
Follow him! His dad is a powerful Japanese
Follow him!
Stop!
Mr Isao. I'm Lt. Yamamoto
of the 28th squadron. 7th Army. Tokyo
Please don't interfere
Capture him!
This action by the Japanese imperial troops
is to wipe out Sun's rebel remnants
Why?
He lies
Go away!
Chinamen's internal strife is not our concern
You're a murderer
You killed him yourself
Are you loyal to Tanno? Lay down your sword
Don't let him go!
This is an order!
Isao. are you mad? Stand up!
He's a murderer
He's only executing an order
as a Japanese soldier
Coward!
Stand up!
I told you to cultivate a strong body
Poems are useless
Why speak of love?
Stand up. Chinaman!
Look how weak you are
Stand up!
Mr Chao exposed his identity
because of you
He offered me the hand of Lung to protect her
He knew he was being followed
Understand?
Lung
Lung. are you alright?
Ta-fu. I'll take care of her
I'll protect her
Take care
I wish I could shout
Lung. don't follow him
I'll take you back to China
5 years later
I wrote a novel titled "Degeneration"
on a young student
in Japan
Motherland! Motherland!
You caused my death
Be rich. be strong!
Many of your children are still suffering
I've looked for him
for 20 years
The gendarmerie says he's dead
They say he was killed in Singapore
I know this is a fact. but I still doubt
they've identified the wrong man
Many Chinese died in this battle
They don't know
why I feel sorry for a Japanese
Japan has surrendered
but the Allies haven't reached Sumatra
So the gendarmes work double hard
to destroy their evidence of war crime
They brought me to the seaside
and asked me again if I'm novelist Yu Ta-fu
I told them
all Chinese novelists
write for a living only
They also asked if I'd care to write
on material I gathered as an interpreter
When I said no because I don't need money
they even asked
if I'd care to return to Japan with them
I don't know what'd happen
if I should meet Lung again
She should be a woman of over 40 now
My wife should give birth in a day or two
She's my third wife
It can be reckoned as the 10th child
Naming a name is especially difficult
for the 10th child
I still remember
my 1st child's name 1s
Lung
A pity he's now dead
surrendered on 18 August. 1945
I was an interpreter
during the war
I told them to locate a Japanese
On the evening of 29 August
they got news and took me to the Gendarmerie
Me and my friends
operated a distillery
and made a type of rice wine
called First Love
A gendarme asked me if it was so named
to commemorate my first love
I said one drunks
just love like wine
If everyone gets drunk
there will be no more killings
He said my imagination
would make me a writer
I wanted to tell him then I really am one
He asked if the Japanese
I want is Isao
who was posted
in Shantung in 1920 and
transferred to Japanese Concession
in Shanghat in 1934
And if so. I should've met him
We were in Shanghai then
In 1943. he was transferred to Canton
Somehow I felt he tried to avoid me
I yearned to know where he was
The Gendarmerie
asked me about
my relationship with him
As it was more than 6 months
since I made the enquiries
I told him he is a friend I made
when I studied in Japan
They asked me about the subject I took
and I lied that is was medicine
Anyway I'm now making a living
as a wine merchant
After debunking my secret. they asked
if I graduated from
Nagoya's No 8 Senior School
and got a BA degree
from the Imperial U Tokyo
Obviously they knew
I'm Yu Ta-fu
They asked if
Yu Ta-fu was my real name
I complained that
they'd wasted so much time
finding that out without asking me
They said they knew
Yu Ta-fu is a famous writer
I knew the more famous I was
the more trouble I would be in
I frankly told them my background
when asked
I lived in Tokyo
in 1913
My brother was a judge in Peking
assigned to inspect legal affairs in Japan
As I. at 17
was unable to find a suitable school
and had to study Chinese classics at home
he took me to Tokyo to sit for an exam
Don't disgrace us Chinese overseas
Memorize these
Don't overeat
Japanese rice 1s hard to digest
Wear clothes according to custom
Be polite when going in or out of the room
Pass water or defecate in utensils only
Wear wooden clogs in the toilet only
Don't wear foreign shoes when in a kimono
ALUEO
Ka. Ki. Ku. Ke. Ko
Sa. Si. Su. Se. So
Quiet! Shut up!
Ta
ALUEO
You Chinaman. idiot!
Sa. Si. Su. Se. So
Ta. Ti. Tu. Te. To
Na Ni
Baka. Chinaman
Chinaman. China. Baka
Chinaman. Baka
Chinaman. Baka
They say Sun Yat-sen
& others came to Tokyo
They fled. not came
The murder of Sung Chiao-jen
by Yuan Shih-kai
shows the warlords
will make a mess out of China
Sorry. no politics
These are matters of personal interest
How many Japanese words
have you learnt?
I'm Chinaman. Baka
Japanese call us Chinamen
That's an insult
I don't think
you'll make it
Return to the country
tomorrow
Let him try before making other plans
Atami is a famous
hot spring near Tokyo
My brother has never
taken me there
The Japanese clean their bodies
before dipping in it
Sorry for the interruption
How are you. sir? It's a fine day
I could hardly catch
what she said
They say Japanese are used to mixed bath
& we Chinese students should take this calmly
The water was hot & she dipped for long
without daring to stand up
What kept you so long?
It was too comfortable
Chinaman
Father. I left my Japanese umbrella inside
Forget it. we must catch the train
Miss. I'm also Chinese
My name is Yu Ta-fu
What about yours?
What's your last name. please. miss?
It was Chao. but now it’s Goto
Where do you live?
It remains to be decided by father
Where are you going?
We'll run a restaurant here
Miss
May 9. 1915 is a National Humiliation Day
Many students have returned from Japan to China
I'm not leaving for the sake of China & my future
To see her again I won't leave
Tokyo-to Totsukyo
Kyoku Chiyosa-ka
Aoemakigami. Akamakigami. Kimakigam!
Tokyo-to Totsukyo
Kyoku Chiyosa-ka
Aoemakigami. Akamakigami. Kimakigam!
Tokyo-to Totsukyo
Kyoku Chiyosa-ka
To meet the exam
I studied at 5 every morning
& took Japanese lessons in a tutorial school
3 months before the exam
I regularly studied until 5 the following morning
Until I heard the whistle
from the factory
We must go back
Peking made me the judge of Supreme Court
Is the pay attractive?
I passed & could stay at government expenses
You were spoiled
you need care
I'm already 17
You're not yet 21
Brother. let me stay
I'll study hard
I take a bath every day
I do my own laundry
I clip my toe nails every week
Brother. I beg you
You're Chinese. not Japanese
I had a hard time learning Japanese
but I can speak it well
It's a lovely day
Thanks for your hospitality
You don't have to master Japanese
Learn foreign science technology
& practical subjects
You're weak
You can't even be a coolie
or a rickshaw puller
or pull an ox for plowing
You must complete your education
or you will become a bum
Yes
I won't stay in Tokyo
for I resent city life
I've chosen Nagoya’s No & Senior School
for it abounds in beautiful girls
Want to rent a room?
Sorry. the Chinamen are
both dirty and unethical
They don't take one bath in a whole week
They only wipe their bodies & feet with water
Chinamen are idiots
I'm a Chinaman
Are you? You don't look like one
Not afraid of lofty mountains. charge!
Not afraid of surging waves. charge!
For China I march forward with sweat & blood
The territory. the air.
Morning. Miss Zuko
Morning. Mr Chou
Are you new? Let's go. Give up
Only this one admits Chinese students
Li. have you read the newspaper?
We saw President Yuan
& Vice-President Li
We even had a group photo
I'm on the front row? Can you identify me?
To oppose the Government's signing of 21 clauses
we laid down our schoolbags to return to Peking
to protest with unprecedented success
I'm a student representative in Nagoya
Come to see me if anything happens
Do you hate Japanese?
Have you seen any traitors?
Kuo can be considered
a No 1 unpatriotic Chinese
He not only married
a Japanese but
Please go out!
To protest the 21 clauses.
many have divorced their wives
& returned to Peking with the Army
But this Mr Kuo has no sense of nationalism
Go out
You're a traitor. confess it
Ta-fu. you're patriotic
Have the 21 clauses
been abrogated?
It's the principle that counts
Why are you coming back then?
I've to humiliate myself for a cause
What a clever defence for a traitor
Hsiao Shu
Hsiao Shu. how's your German?
Fine! Fine!
This is Ta-fu. a newcomer
Hsiao Shu. have you been demoted this year?
Yes
You're in the same class then
Hsiao Shu's also a medical student Shake hands
Come tn!
Come... Come in!
You'll be swell when we're not in
Look. you're skinny like a bag of bones
Not a full bag!
How many Japanese girls have you had?
Five
So few?
One night!
Drink! Drink!
Cheers! This 1s yours
Come
Ta-fu. greet Mr Li
Crazy? You must learn from Mr Li
Our country
must be modernized
We must be Americanized in studies
British in smoking and Japanized in womanizing
Yes!
This place is called Geshiku
catering for us
the dirty and shameless Chinamen
Spittoons are specially made for us
GUTEN MORGAIN
GUTEN MORGAIN
GUTEN TAG. GUTEN TAG
AUF WIEDERSE HEN
I've read several medical journals in a library
They all say masturbation
is a most harmful behaviour
I must study hard to beat the Japanese
Who 1s it?
I consoled myself with this each time
Today is Friday
I'll forsake this bad habit
next Monday
or turn over a new leaf
next month
Morning Morning
Please be seated
Morning
Ta-fu. did you enjoy yourself last night?
What?
Masturbation
It's harmful to health
Remember to take milk with eggs next morning
Sorry
It's more nutritious to take one more egg
Ta-fu. what are you doing?
Are you taking raw eggs?
You've taken two?
You're no longer a child
Do you enjoy peeping?
I know Chou and Li are both evil
Give them a piece of your mind
Have one more
I've visited all the Chinese restaurants in Tokyo
Could she be in Nagoya?
Sorry Welcome
Chinamen. get out!
He's our guest. sir
Shut up!
You stateless bastard
Get out
Never mind them
Go In and sit down
Get out. idiot!
Have you eaten?
Thank you. sir
I didn’t mean to save you
Are you Chinese?
Which province do you come from?
I'm Japanese. but I've been in Manchuria
I was teaching my brethren a lesson
Then I learnt he's Isao
a classmate. 2 grades higher
On opening
or graduation days
the educational directive
by Meii Tanno in 1890 Is read
urging the Japanese to be loyal
I can do better than they
Isao
I do better in writing compositions & poems
1. 2. 3. kill!
1. 2. 3. kill!
1. 2. 3. kill!
1. 2. 3. kill!
Harder. Chinamen
Give It to me!
Hold it! Kill?
Kill!
Kill!
Kill
1.2.3.4.5
1.2.3.4.5
Change
Hsiao Shu
Stand still
Chinaman. no wonder you're slaves
Change with that weakling!
1.2.3.4.5
1.2.3.4.5
1.2.3.4.5
What are you doing?
Each of you is hopeless
How can you serve your country?
How can you be an overseas student?
Go back and be a farmer. Chinaman
Stand up! There's still field training
Hsiao Shu. let's give up together
Miss. do you remember me?
I dipped in a hot spring with you
You said you'd run a restaurant
Ouch!
Don't go away!
Ta-fu. move!
The Supervisor of gymnastics
is a Lt. Colonel
All the gymnastics teachers here are soldiers
How much more ordeal
am I going to suffer?
Three more years. and you can be a soldier
Take a good rest
Hsiao Shu. how many marks have you got?
And you?
75 points
I think I do better than those Japanese. And you?
Impossible. you're a demoted student
They say you've got 75 points
We doubt it. Show us
You Chinamen
have low 1Q
Either there's been a miscalculation
or you cheated
Right. Chinamen are incorrigible
Ta-fu. you've regularly layed truant
I don't feel like taking gymnastics
Coward!
It's no gymnastics but military training
I'm not Japanese
Everybody needs military training
and the more do you
You're too weak
I don't have to be a soldier
I'm a student
No wonder you'd to sign the unfair treaty
You're doomed to be slaves
Forget it. Ta-fu. I'm only joking
If you don't do it in 3 years
you can't graduate
I didn’t see such a doctor
He's practically our family doctor
Some doctors do not give treatment for diseases
but for money
If he proves you've asthma
you don't have to attend
Does it require a lot of money?
Come on. cheers!
I can't afford to repay you
Why are you helping me?
In a quest for glory my heart sings
Who would pity me when I wake up next spring?
Is Chun Chiang your pen name?
I'm editor of the school magazine
The 8 poems contributed by
you have all been accepted
They all admire your poems
and feel that you have high potentials
Thank you
I'm writing for fun only
Don't be modest
It's the result of your efforts
Keep up with it
I only admire people
with vitality & talent
An scholar yearns to meet you
What a rare opportunity!
When Isao brought me
the poems with
your pen name.
I thought it was a middle-aged man
So you're a talented
young man
Your Japanese 1s not bad either
Have you read
any Japanese works here?
Yes. Geryi Monogatari impressed me most
It's my favorite novel
It's a rather difficult classical piece
I was only 18
when Mr Hattori
was a respected Japanese poet
but he escorted me to the railway station
He reminded me of my father
He died when I was three
Mr Hattori is kind
I've high respect for him
Sorry
The wine's here
How's it?
Really nice
Remember me?
Sorry
In the Atami Hot Spring
Remember? We dipped in the spring together
Ta-fu. this is a high class restaurant
It's true! I even followed her rickshaw
I never knew you were so wild to a girl
I did see her undress
I really did see it!
Any problem with your kidney?
You don't have to water after drinking so much
I don't mind
Ta-fu. how about taking a bath?
Wait
She's inside! Faster!
Not used to this?
I really took a bath with her
She has a mole over here
Is that so?
Bad! Come down quickly!
Someone said he saw the mole in your back
Come up! You wanted to see it
Go away! What are you doing?
See if it's her
She's now naked
Let's go! Let's go!
Yes! Yes! You're Chinese
Go now! What a scoundrel!
What happened?
Miss
Sorry. miss
Don't be so impatient
Ta-fu. are you fond of her?
Me. too
Don't you need the toilet?
No
I met her first
Would you compete with me?
Yes. why not?
Let's make a gentleman's agreement
We're friends. let's have a fair competition
First. neither of us shall date her alone
What if she dates me?
Second. no back-biting in her presence
Sure
Third. neither of us
shall show her our love
Okay. that's all
Goodbye
Goodbye
"I love you but you wouldn't care"
"My sleeve is wet with tears but I don't dare"
You've woken up all the neighbors
Will you open the door for me to say something?
"I love you but you won't care"
"My sleeve is wet with tear but I don't dear"
"to express my feeling for you"
"How I wish that there's a song we can share"
Miss
Don't!
Don't!
Don't come to see me anymore!
Why are you avoiding me?
Do you want to lose an arm?
Two Chinese met in a hot spring in Japan
Isn't that destiny
I thought you were Japanese
So you mind taking a bath
with a Chinese?
No
You didn't mind then
Yes
But I was new and ignorant then
Me. too I thought you were Japanese
used to taking baths with boys
I've been trying to find you
My dad won't admit my association with Chinese
He might kill us
if he knew
what happened to us
Is he inside?
No. he went to Canton a few days ago
We can go together tomorrow
Did I say I'd go?
He's Isao. my friend
Is it romantic enough?
What about our agreement?
What agreement?
Never mind! Tell me!
Never mind
You little fox!
Don't start that again
Tell me
I told you it was nothing
I'll kill you!
There's really nothing
Speak up
Tell me. or I'll kill you
Ouch!
This way! Come down quickly!
This way!
This way!
Look!
Give It back to me
Look at it when you're home
I think I love you
What did he say? Tell me!
He said... I love you
Long live Japan! Long live Japan!
Don't leave now!
I'm going out for a kendo duel
Have you ever seen kendo?
Shall we go and see it?
Are you out of your mind?
Stop playing!
You fight with him
I can't
Try and you'll learn it
Come on!
I can't!
I really can't
Come on!
He's a coward
He daren't fight with me
Maybe you fight with him
Okay
I give up
Enough! Enough!
I've lost
I give up! I give up!
Enough! Enough!
You've lost
No females are allowed here
But I don't mind
You don’t honor your words
It's you who don't. not me
What words. Ta-fu?
Dear Lung
this is my 1st letter to a girl
Give it back to me!
When you read this letter.
I'm thinking of you
Every night I think back to
the time we spent with you in the day
Dirty. you're as dirty as other Japanese
You dare not say "I love you"
Scoundrel!
You're not a gentleman. you're a coward
Give it back to me!
Mammy wrote & urged me to get married
She's arranged
a girl for me
The Chinese are still so feudalistic
No wonder Yuan has a chance to be Emperor
Who ts it? It's me Lung
Wait
Let me know the contents of that letter
This is my 1st letter to a girl
I know. what else?
"I was happy on those days"
I'll always remember
the happiness you brought me
on those draggy days
Is that all? It was a long letter
I had a lot to write
but could only put them down in few words
What does that mean?
It means... In a word
I love you?
Is that right?
Yes! How do you know?
You're quite straightforward
Am I the first one?
Yes
Yes. I liked a girl and
wrote her many poems
She's lucky
When was that?
I was then 11. and she 9
Eleven?
I never tried it
My father 1s strict
What bout Japanese boys?
Tonight's my 1st time
in two years
What did you do when you were close?
Never?
Yes! I touched her hand
You call that close?
Touch me! I have two hands!
It hurts!
Cheers! I want milk
Kiss! Come and kiss me
Hsiao Shu
I won't go to school
I want milk
I won't go to school
I want milk
Lung. I'll see you after class tomorrow
I want milk
Morning Morning
Morning. Shu. not going to school?
May I ask you something?
You do well in school
without studying. Why?
I... I don't know
Hsiao Shu! Hsiao Shu!
Don't be silly
Hsiao Shu! Don't!
My grandpa was a scholar
So was my father
He died when I was born
I failed to get my scholarship
but my mother still cherishes high hopes on me
She spent everything
to support my medical education
If I can't be a doctor
I dare not return
How can I face elders in my village?
They called me
a "Japanese Scholar"
You said you hated Japanese
Protest their occupation of Eastern Provinces
Yes! Yes!
I have an appointment
Take care!
Yes
It's a large room. isn't it?
My dad ts a soldier. and a diplomat
I don't care
You don't have to date
Lung through me
You're my only friend who knows Lung
You're Japanese
His dad won't discover It
So I still have some value for you
Cheers!
A famous painting from my family
Please dispose of it for me
Why do you want to sell it?
The situation in China 1s unsteady
I'm still awaiting my government remittance
Take It
I don't want you to sell it
I still hope you'll find me a buyer
Why? How can an antique of Chinese culture
be sold to another country?
I want to buy Lung a souvenir
Remember the Chinese
saying on restraint
Love is unbridled
Nothing can stop it
What about reasoning power?
Man 1s not dictated by reasoning
lam
Shu killed himself jumping the train
Someone saw him rolled down the train
mutilated and in a pool of blood
Only broken bones
Let's pray for him
May his soul return
to his home town
What then? Become a stray ghost?
JA UND NEIN
WOHNT HEIDI EHNER IN MUNCHEN?
JA. SIE WOHNT IN MUNCHEN
REIST ERICH
SCHULZ NACH
MUNCHEN?
Ta-fu. let's see Li off
He's going to be an officer
He hasn't completed his education yet
There are lots of
U graduates in Shanghai
looking for employment
So human relations count more than education
I must study
Lr is Li Tzu-hung's distant relative
JA UND NEIN
WOHNT HEIDI EHNER IN MUNCHEN?
JA. SIE WOHNT IN MUNCHEN
REIST ERICH
SCHULZ NACH MUNCHEN?
Letters!
Sorry. Excuse me
I've entered the wrong room
Get back this letter
I haven't read it
This 1s for Lung
I'll give her in person
Sit down
You're a student
at government expenses
Why are you wasting your time here?
You're spending
the Chinese people’s sweat money
I'm doing well
in every subject
Don't you know
there are still plenty of illiterates
& starving people?
I'm not a machine
I need friends
I'm true to Lung
If you want to speak of love with my daughter.
do that after graduation
Get out!
I got Isao's reply after one month
He has dated Lung for me
I must leave
Yuan's dead
and Dr Sun Yat-sen has carried out
revolution in Canton
I hope I can help him on my return
Are you taking them back?
No. I'm returning alone
I've thought it over
This is my only chance
I'll regret all my life if I don't leave
I don't know
To China
you're only a speck
but to them you're more than one-third
You're the master of the family
If everyone thinks likewise
what'd become of China?
What would they get if you became a hero?
Do you imply I'm selfish?
Aren't you selfish?
Are you studying for your country?
Are you writing poems for your country?
Don't
You're only masturbating
Are you alright?
Return it to me! Return it to me!
You're late
I came upon a friend
He's leaving behind his
Japanese wifee's leaving behind his
japanese & his daughter to return to China
I'm going to reprimand him
Are you?
Let's find a place to talk
Let's go to a park
Sorry. I'm going to have a kendo fight
Ta-fu. take care of Lung
It's been a long time
Let's have a chat
How about going to a park?
It was still shining
What a beautiful dress
Didn't you notice it before now?
Your dad isn't too conservative
It was a birthday present
from Isao
Have you been with him all the time?
Why don't you ask me
about my birthday?
When's your birthday?
You're not sincere I won't tell you
Have you nothing to talk to me?
Let's find a place to talk
No need if there's nothing to talk about
Let's find a place first
I know of a cosy place
Where?
A cinema
This time we won't miss it
Look. so beautiful!
Are you tired? Sit down for a while
I must return Dad may return tonight
Lung
I've something to confide to you
What?
I've something to confide to you
It's already dark
Why didn't you tell me?
Are you trying to run away?
From what?
From what? Rats or elephants?
Sorry
Do you know of a Chinese named Chao?
Are you Chinese?
No. we are Koreans
Buddy. are you a Chinaman?
No
Do you know
of a Chinaman Chao here?
No
I don't want to go home
My original name was Chao
It was changed to Goto
since my dad brought me here
That Japanese was looking for your dad?
After helping Sun's revolution
he came here
Somehow he tried
to hide himself
Why?
I don't know
But I prefer my original name
I hate being called Goto
Keep this secret for me
You're a nuisance Dad won't let you see me
Can't you sneak out to see me?
Two of my poems appeared in that magazine
Is that so?
It was written for Lung
The first was composed
when you nearly chopped me to death
Still an affair to remember.
It's a combination of frivolity & fantasty
To soothe her woe
I'm writing a new poem for Begonia
Lung. I won't be seeing you for years
After graduation
I'll marry you
It's Violet perfume
Keep it and wait for me
None has been so nice to me in 2 years
Do you say "yes"?
We're not yet married
I won't be seeing you for long
You even play along with Isao
Do you dislike me?
Ta-fu
You're still young
You're still inexperienced
I won't pretend to please you
Frustrated in love?
So heavy?
Try more and you'll be used to it
You're mistaken
You said you love me
Say "yes"
I'm not that lucky
Do you say "yes"?
Don't
Say this
You said you loved me
I know I've humiliated her
I dare not see her again
I won't care to see
those disgusting Chinese again
They're not Chinese
They're Chinamen
This is a stable
Don't live in it
I beg you
There's no kitchen here
You can't cook
I beg you
It's unfit for living
I beg you
You're Chinese. alright. live in it
We'll deliver food to you
Thank you
I'll give up medicine for literature
National salvation begins with social reforms
Medicine treats patients only
It can't cure China's ills
But my brother objects to my switch
I must study literature
& graduate from university
The last time. definitely the last time
As of tomorrow. I'll turn over a new leaf
The food's here
Lung
Lung
Lung
She'll deliver food
twice daily
Sometimes she brings some fruit for me
I've written these poems for you
Excuse me
& let me walk you home?
It's fixed then
Okay
I'll count on you
Mr Chao. please take care
It's over 10 years
I've experienced something harder
Go back early
Stop. sir! Yes
Wish they were all Chinese children
99% of Japanese children
can study
What about Chinese children?
All our future children must
receive university education
Alright?
Lung. Lung
Let me take you to China
What 1s 1t?
What 1s 1t?
Dad insists on my marrying Isao
You know I love Lung
Will you give up?
Ta-fu. why have you come to Japan?
Have I no right to speak of love?
No!
Your country is poor and bastard
National salvation is your duty
A defected country
should learn modestly
or you'll be called Chinamen forever
I won't learn from you
You have no choice
I must do what I like
You'll regret
I'm a man. I have freedom
But you're a Chinese
Lung loves me
I must marry her
I'm sorry. I owe you a favor
Break it!
You must be crazy!
Whatever the difficulties
I must marry a Chinese girl
Lung's father has given me his concert
Why?
Scoundrel!
I'll take good care of Lung
I must atone for my sin
Chop!
Why?
Every night I see
many Chinese children
killed by their parents
Why have you chosen Lung?
I've done you an injustice
Chop!
Come on. chop! Chop!
I won't give up
Lung
Do I look childish?
Get going
Lung!
What's the matter with you?
Lung!
Dad. I want to be with him
I've got fed up
It's still a mess
after the revolution
It's hopeless for Chinese to kill each other
I don't want my children to suffer
I'm not Chao
We're Japanese
I want my children
to marry Japanese only
I don't want to be Chinese
Dad. I know you don't mean it
Ta-fu. will you agree to be Japanese?
If you do. Lung will marry you
Just change your surname
Suzuki? Yamada? Tanaka?
Traitor! You're out of your mind!
Dad!
Traitor. let you be Japanese if you prefer
Ta-fu
Ta-fu. there's something you don't understand
Don't take Lung away
Scoundrel!
Dad! Dad!
Don't go away!
Dad! Dad!
Follow him! His dad is a powerful Japanese
Follow him!
Stop!
Mr Isao. I'm Lt. Yamamoto
of the 28th squadron. 7th Army. Tokyo
Please don't interfere
Capture him!
This action by the Japanese imperial troops
is to wipe out Sun's rebel remnants
Why?
He lies
Go away!
Chinamen's internal strife is not our concern
You're a murderer
You killed him yourself
Are you loyal to Tanno? Lay down your sword
Don't let him go!
This is an order!
Isao. are you mad? Stand up!
He's a murderer
He's only executing an order
as a Japanese soldier
Coward!
Stand up!
I told you to cultivate a strong body
Poems are useless
Why speak of love?
Stand up. Chinaman!
Look how weak you are
Stand up!
Mr Chao exposed his identity
because of you
He offered me the hand of Lung to protect her
He knew he was being followed
Understand?
Lung
Lung. are you alright?
Ta-fu. I'll take care of her
I'll protect her
Take care
I wish I could shout
Lung. don't follow him
I'll take you back to China
5 years later
I wrote a novel titled "Degeneration"
on a young student
in Japan
Motherland! Motherland!
You caused my death
Be rich. be strong!
Many of your children are still suffering
I've looked for him
for 20 years
The gendarmerie says he's dead
They say he was killed in Singapore
I know this is a fact. but I still doubt
they've identified the wrong man
Many Chinese died in this battle
They don't know
why I feel sorry for a Japanese
Japan has surrendered
but the Allies haven't reached Sumatra
So the gendarmes work double hard
to destroy their evidence of war crime
They brought me to the seaside
and asked me again if I'm novelist Yu Ta-fu
I told them
all Chinese novelists
write for a living only
They also asked if I'd care to write
on material I gathered as an interpreter
When I said no because I don't need money
they even asked
if I'd care to return to Japan with them
I don't know what'd happen
if I should meet Lung again
She should be a woman of over 40 now
My wife should give birth in a day or two
She's my third wife
It can be reckoned as the 10th child
Naming a name is especially difficult
for the 10th child
I still remember
my 1st child's name 1s
Lung
A pity he's now dead