Knit Cap Theater “Curry and the Villagers”【SUB】

Knit Cap Theater　Curry and the Villagers

“How about some curry?” “What is that?” The action takes place in 1905 around the end of the Russo-Japanese War in a village near Osaka called Suita. Curry was an exotic dish eaten in Tokyo and the Navy, still unfamiliar to many. Yet everyone has lost something in the war. The inexorable changes to Japan brought by war and the influx of foreign culture have been followed eagerly by some, but others are perplexed and still others left behind. This ensemble drama highlights the differences in their positions, the changes in their thinking, and the varied directions of their subsequent lives.
Goma no Hae wrote the script based on his visit to Suita City in 2012 and interviews with elderly residents and local history experts. Staged by different directors in 2013 and 2018, the play was finally scheduled to be performed under Goma no Hae’s direction in two cities in 2020-21, but was forced to halt after three days in Kyoto due to the pandemic. That staging was streamed online. The differences in people’s thoughts and choices during the pandemic and resulting conflicts among them give way to overlapping feelings of pain, sadness, and warmth.

2021
THEATRE E9 KYOTO

Presented by: The Japan Foundation (JF) (https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/)
In cooperation with EPAD (https://epad.terrada.co.jp/)

＜Performance Credits＞
Written and Directed by GOMA NO HAE
Performers :
FUKUYAMA Shunro（HaHiFu-no-Ka/syubiro theater）, KADOWAKI Shunsuke, HIZUME Chie（HaHiFu-no-Ka）, NAKATANI Moe, KOSHIGA Hanako, TAKAHARA Ryoko, NISHIMURA Takaharu, KAMEI Taeko（Piccolo Theater Company）, YAMASHITA Taeko（Kyoto engeki salon）, SAWAMURA Kiichiro, MASUDA Moe, YAMASHITA Akari（MC KIKAKU）, IKEGAWA Takakiyo
Stage Manager : KAWAMURA Miyako（hanaura）
Scenic Design by NISHIDA Hijiri
Lighting Design by KASAI Kenichi
Sound Design by MITSUHASHI Taku
Music by MATSUYAMA Midori
Costume Design by KIYOKAWA Atsuko（atm）
Associate Producers : KADOWAKI Shunsuke, TAKAHARA Ryoko, SAWAMURA Kiichiro, TAKATA Haruna
Organized by Keboushi-jimusyo, Knitcaptheater

＜Subtitling Credits＞
Multilingual subtitling：
Supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Goverment of Japan through the Japan Arts Council

Chinese Translation (Simplified): Zhenzhen WU
Chinese Translation (Traditional): SWSG
English Translation: Gary Perlman
French Translation: Amira Zegrour
Spanish Translation: Karla FUJI

＜Promotional Text＞
KAWANO Momoko

End date of distribution: 25/1/2027

ニットキャップシアター『カレーと村民』

「カレーなんてどうでしょう」「なんやそれ」。1905年日露戦争終戦の頃、大阪近郊の吹田村。東京や海軍で食べられているカレーを知っている人、カレーなんて聞いたこともない人……誰もが戦争でなにかを失った。戦争と外来文化による否応もない日本の変化に、ついていく人、戸惑う人、取り残される人などが登場する。群像劇によって、それぞれの立場の違い、考えの変化、その後の人生の分岐などが浮き彫りになっていく。
2012年にごまのはえが大阪府吹田市を巡り、地元の高齢者や郷土史の専門家に取材して、脚本を書いた。2013年、2018年とほかの演出家によって上演され、ついに2020～2021年にごまのはえ自身の演出により2都市公演される予定だったが、新型コロナウイルスの影響で京都での3日のみの上演とオンライン配信がおこなわれた。コロナ禍に噴出した、人々の考えや選択の違い、対立、その痛みと悲しさと温かさがどこか重なる。

2021
THEATRE E9 KYOTO

製作（オンライン配信）：国際交流基金 (JF) (https://www.jpf.go.jp/)
製作協力：一般社団法人EPAD (https://epad.terrada.co.jp/)

＜公演情報＞
脚本・演出：ごまのはえ
出演：福山俊朗（はひふのか/syubiro theater）、門脇俊輔、日詰千栄（は・ひ・ふのか）、仲谷 萌、越賀はなこ、高原綾子、西村貴治、亀井妙子（兵庫県立ピッコロ劇団）、山下多恵子（京都演劇サロン）、澤村喜一郎、益田 萠、山下あかり（MC企画）、池川タカキヨ
舞台監督：河村 都（華裏）
舞台美術：西田 聖
照明：葛西健一
音響：三橋 琢
音楽：真都山みどり
衣装：清川敦子（atm）
制作：門脇俊輔、高原綾子、澤村喜一郎
主催：一般社団法人毛帽子事務所、ニットキャップシアター

＜オンライン字幕＞
本映像の多言語字幕は一般社団法人EPADが2023年度に文化庁文化芸術振興費補助金（統括団体による文化芸術需要回復・地域活性化事業（アートキャラバン２））｜独立行政法人日本芸術文化振興会）の助成を受けた事業の一環として作成されました。

簡体字字幕翻訳：呉珍珍
繁体字字幕翻訳：SWSG
英語字幕翻訳：ゲーリー・パールマン
フランス語字幕翻訳：アミラ・ゼグルール
スペイン語字幕翻訳：富士 迦楼羅

＜広報文＞
河野桃子

＜カンパニーウェブサイト＞
https://knitcap.jp/

配信終了日：2027年1月25日

What is he saying? Must be a foreign song. Song? Is that a song? From England, France, somewhere. Anyway it’s in their language. But he’s just going “pa pa pa”. Mother, what should we do? About what? About that. Shouldn’t we stop him? It’s wonderful, wonderful. Masa, what’s with you?

That must be a foreign sutra. Sutra? Jiro traveled to a place beyond the mountains and sea, even farther than India. That must be an important sutra from over there. It’s wonderful, wonderful. I want to thank both of you for everything. I never thought I’d be able to serve you here again like this.

I’m so grateful to you all. No, no, we should be thanking you. It’s a huge help having you back here. I’m happy to do anything. Whatever you need, just tell me. Don’t be so formal. We have other workers now as well. Please don’t strain yourself.

This is probably my final chance to serve. I’ll do my best. Don’t put it that way. Masa. Yes, ma’am? Things have really changed around the Hama home. You may be old, but you can’t just sit around and do nothing. You’ll have to work enough to earn your three meals a day.

Is that understood? Yes, ma’am. You, what is your name again? My name is Ne. And what’s that? Oh. What do you mean, “Oh”. Hurry and dry those. Okay. Not “okay”. “Yes, ma’am.” Okay. Mother, you look tired. Japan is as hot as ever. Masa! Bring Jiro some tea. Yes, ma’am.

It’s okay, it’s just tea. Right. You can pour the tea yourself. I’m not a kid. Jiro, what was all that about earlier? Earlier? Pa-pa-pa Ah, it’s just Mozart. I’m sorry. I’m so slow. I’m causing trouble for everyone. Masa. Have you finished cleaning out front? Today is Taro’s newspaper recitation day.

You’ll need to finish before everyone gets here. Yes, ma’am. Shige. You’re the wife of this household. You can’t just look at people and say nothing. Of course. I’m just not good with old Japanese people. That’s a strange way to put it. Are you good with old foreign people?

No, old people are the same everywhere. I thought so. Have you gotten used to this house yet? I’m not sure. You seem pretty comfortable with it. You came just when I was going abroad to study. Yes, that’s right.

You’re just the person that Mother thought you’d be. You’re the perfect wife for the Hama household. Thank you. You’re very kind. About my mother… Yes? Maybe I’ve been away too long, but she’s seems smaller. Is she feeling okay? She hardly touched her breakfast this morning.

But she’s so much better since you came back. Is that so? About our talk yesterday… If you really feel that way, we’ll support you. Did my brother say something? He wondered under his breath if a man can change like that in just three years. So have your feelings changed these three years?

Well… Good morning. Someone’s here. Aki is supposed to come today. Mother sent a servant over first thing this morning. Did you ask her for something? Well… Don’t be so evasive. Did you know that Aki quit girl’s school? She quit? Hello! Why? You’ll have to ask her. Hello! It’s Tome.

Hello, please come in. Morning. Good morning. You’re up early again today. I have to give the accounts to the master. Jiro, good morning. Morning. So how’s Japan after all these years? Hot. It’s still September. You’re as perky as ever. Yes, I’m a capitalist whose only asset is my good health.

You have a sophisticated vocabulary. It’s from the master’s newspaper readings. So my brother’s spreading enlightenment, is he? It’s just for fun. Thank you. Something smells nice. It’s a snack. Same as the other day. Inari rice rolls? Yes. Jiro-san, have you ever eaten your sister-in-law’s inari? No.

Totally different from the inari in these parts. Totally? Just what you’d expect from Kyoto. Mm, I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for the tea. Master! I have the accounts. What was that all about? He’s conserving his voice. His voice? He’s always like that on his newspaper recitation days. He’s really into this.

My husband’s been acting like a samurai since he got up today. There should be something about the peace talks in the papers. It’s so exciting. It’s all over now. Yes, that’s true. Hello? I told you to speak louder! I know! Hello! That sounds like Miyagawa-san. Please come in.

Why, it’s the mistress. Good morning. Good morning. And Jiro-san, good morning. Morning. Okay, okay. Mistress, I, umm… We have something we’d like to discuss. Right, right. – You go first. – Okay, okay. I, umm… What would you like? Uh, umm… Hmm? Did you make inari again today? Yes.

Oh, I can’t wait to try them! We tried them recently. What a delight. They were so petite. Is that to fit the tiny mouths of young geisha? So elegant. Hurry and say what you have to say. Okay, okay. Is this someone new? Yes, she started yesterday. Introduce yourself. Okay. Ne. Sorry? Ne.

Her name is Ne. Let her know if you need anything. Happy to meet you. This is Miyagawa-san. He’s a company president. A beer company. Jiro-san, stop teasing. We’re just cow herders. You know about the beer factory in Suita, right? Yeah. The beer made there is transported on a trolley.

Miyagawa-san’s company owns the cows that pull the trolley. And the beer brought by his cows is taken to Osaka in our ships. You still haven’t told them. Okay, okay. Hurry it up then. Everyone’s waiting. Is everything all right? Our son is coming back from the war. Seiroku? We’re so happy for you.

Thank you. It’s a huge relief for us. The government never tells you whether they’re alive or dead. My husband is really cruel. “He’s just the second son of a poor man,” he says. “He’ll lie in the open fields unnoticed by anyone.

He’s probably dead in a ditch.” Can you believe he said that? He’s still my son just like his older brother. I cried all day. But that was yesterday. Then we got a letter from him. He says he’ll be back in two or three weeks. Is that so? I’m so happy. Hey.

Tome! Forgive me! I got carried away. I’m so sorry. There’s nothing to be sorry for. Seiroku always used to play with our son. They were like brothers. I couldn’t be happier. I’m sure our son up there is happy for him as well. Thank you. Here you are. How are the shipments elsewhere?

The number of ships has really grown since the war ended. The cargo being sold from Kobe to the mainland is increasing. And there’s a huge amount of cargo in our harbor going to Kobe. The amount of beer going to Osaka has tripled in that time.

– People must be drinking beer to celebrate. – That means it should be peaking soon. Right. Miyagawa-san, I heard your news. Congratulations. Thank you very much. We appreciate your concern. Please stay and join us for my recitation. I’m not very good, but I’d be humbled. That’s what we intended.

Ne, everyone will be here soon. Make the preparations. Okay. Not “okay”. “Yes, master!” Okay. Ah, my throat is parched. Shige, get some radish and honey. All right. Take these to the kitchen. Hello? Yes? Tsuna. It’s been so long. Come in. – Where was the letter sent from?– Shimonoseki.

Then he should be in Osaka in a night. – Actually… – The letter came from a Shimonoseki hospital. He seems to have been injured. Yes. Morning. Where is Ushio? I wanted to bring him, but he suddenly felt unwell this morning. I see.

“Today skies are clear, and the waves are high!” (military signal for attack) You scared me! Tome, what is that all about? I don’t know, but it always makes my husband happy. Hana, why don’t you try it? I appreciate your concern, but… “Today skies are clear, and the waves are high!”

“Today skies are clear, and the waves are high!” The war is really over. Yes, it is. My teacher hung a map of the world in the classroom. I remember how surprised I was when he pointed at Russia. Russia takes up almost half the world. Japan is tiny. That’s frightening. We beat them, though.

Masa. Umm, actually, Seiroku is coming back. Seiroku? Yes. I’m so happy for you. Thank you. Congratulations. I appreciate it. It’s all thanks to you. I didn’t do anything. No, no. It was thanks to you and your grandson’s efforts that we won the war. We really believe that. That’s right.

How many people will there be? Five. Masa, I know it’s tough. But your grandson’s death was not in vain. Jiro-san. They’re holding peace talks in America, right? Yes, that’s right. What will Japan get this time? Get? Korea for sure. And Manchuria and Sakhalin for sure. For sure? I would think so.

We’re lugheads when it comes to difficult things like that. It’s up to the foreign minister’s skills. We should also get the corners of Russia. No, no, the important thing is the money. Even at a rough calculation, this war has cost 100 times the last one. A hundred times?

The number of dead and wounded is 200 times the last one. Two hundred times… So we should get 300 times the reparations. Otherwise it doesn’t balance out. How much is 300 times? It’s a huge amount. Reparations in the war with China were 300 million yen. Three hundred times that is 90 billion. Wow.

What a long war it’s been. Yes, it was. I’ll never forget the story of how they conquered Port Arthur. That was a hard battle. For us as well. He was sick with a kidneystone just then. I was. Port Arthur fell, but the kidneystone didn’t. It was painful.

I remember the song “Lieutenant Colonel Hirose”. “Where is Sugino? Nowhere is Sugino.” What is that? You don’t know? Tsuna, you should get a man like Hirose. Forget it. I don’t care how good a man is if he’s just going to die young. Hello. I’m Tsuna. Ne. Huh? Ne. Ne. Ne.

You should call yourself Neko (cat). Neko? That’s easy to remember. Hey, Neko, you can meow back. Don’t just stand there. Lay out the food trays. Meow. Huh? Is that inari inside? Yes. I can’t wait! Me either. Thanks for always treating us. No, I thank you for always being with us. We enjoy it.

I’m embarrassed. Hello? It’s Aki. Come in! Morning everyone. Morning. Hello. Good morning. Aki! Thanks for taking the time to join us. No, no. Please have a seat. Masa, tea, please. Bring gingerale if we have any. It’s not chilled. Is that okay? Then tea is fine. Hurry and bring it. Yes, ma’am.

Everyone, please have a seat. Aki, over here. Morning. “September 1, 1905” Oh, there’s a column about the peace talks. “Peace talks A press conference on the 29th revealed that the only concessions were on the Japanese side. I am ashamed to report this.

The conditions as reported by the Kokumin Shimbun are listed at left. Sakhalin will be divided at 50 degrees north latitude. The northern portion will belong to Russia. The southern portion will belong to Japan. Neither country may station soldiers anywhere in Sakhalin.” Just the southern part? What? Russia gets the northern half?

Sounds like that. Go on reading. “In the Korean Peninsula, neither country may station soldiers near the Russian border. East China Railway cedes the area south of Changchun to Japan. Compensation for prisoners of war shall be 150 million yen. Japan and Russia shall have equal fishing rights in Russia’s maritime Primorye Territory.”

How about Manchuria? Manchuria…There’s no mention of it. And the Korean Peninsula won’t be given to Japan? Korea…Nothing about that either. Don’t worry. There’s nothing about reparations yet. They calculate it roughly at 90 billion. 150 million. Huh? Didn’t you listen? He said 150 million. That’s it?

My voice seems to have lost its luster. Ne. Meow. What kind of answer is “meow”? Yes, master. That’s archaic. “Yes” will do. Okay. This heat is affecting my voice. Let’s celebrate with chicken sukiyaki tonight. How about this? “We humbly request that his Majesty the Emperor order the annulment of this peace agreement.”

And this? “We hold the ministers accountable and stand by the people.” And this? “Tears of the corpses” So my grandson died for nothing. Masa! What are you saying? We were taken for fools. How can you say that? You heard the master. He says the war was not solely to protect Japan’s interests.

That Japan was entrusted by the world to fight to stop Russian tyranny. Isn’t that right? That wasn’t exactly me saying that. Do you think that kind of behavior can be forgiven? Don’t ask me. The politicians acted completely without thinking. Tsuna, this is not the time to cry. I know, but…

How is Ushio these days? His hearing still hasn’t improved. He sits at home all day without saying a word. I figured today would be interesting and tried to bring him. But when I asked him, he said nothing. Well, it’s a good thing he didn’t come.

How am I going to tell him the news? Anyway, the war is over. We should be thankful. And think about it. Sakhalin and Manchuria are freezing. We don’t need them. You’d die just catching a cold. That’s where an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Everyone seems to have understood. Aki. Yes? Thanks for coming when you’re so busy. No, it was quite a story today. Ah, the summer fatigue’s gotten to my throat. Pickled eggplant, eggplant miso soup… I’ve eaten nothing but eggplant and fried tofu. I’ve lost my appetite. – Taro. – Yes?

Can you go inside and call Jiro? Sure. Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news. No, we’ve learned a lot about the world thanks to his recitations. You should tell that to him. It would make him happy. Isn’t that right, Mother? His late father was like that.

I always had to listen to him singing his joruri tales and folk songs. Even so, Jiro’s more like his father. Timid and kind. I’m sorry, Aki. I sent Jiro to a foreign country knowing all about you and him. His studies come first, of course. But three years abroad…

I thought his feelings for you would die down. So what can I do for you today? I married into this house at 16. Just at the start of the Meiji Revolution. Everything has since turned upside down. But looking back, life was still fairly laid back. The world, people’s feelings.

We still followed the old customs and ways. But the world has really changed lately. I’m disappointed. Mother… Hama boys weren’t allowed to choose their own wives back then Still, I don’t understand him at all. It’s like talking to a different species. I guess it’s just the changing times.

So I think it’s best just to let him do as he likes. It’s too much for me to handle. Do whatever you’d like. All right then. Last night, Mom shook me awake. She asked me if my feelings have changed after three years.

When I told her no, she mumbled to do as I please. It was a bit of an anticlimax. What’s wrong? Here, “The People’s Voice.” The paper’s most popular opinion column. It says to take those responsible for the peace treaty and leave them on a mountain in Sakhalin.

The newspapers have it tough too. They have to sell papers. Why did you leave earlier? She started crying. You mean Tsuna? I can’t take that. But think of her feelings. Of course she’d cry. Her brother Ushio joins the navy and comes back hard of hearing.

And I didn’t even go to fight, right? That’s not what I meant. I feel sorry for Ushio, I do. But it’s just one incident. You can’t make political decisions if you obsess on that. You have to look at the big picture. Japanese are generally ignorant of the facts.

We won, but not an inch of Russian territory was violated. From Russia’s standpoint, they just lost a local battle. It’s Japan that has exhausted itself. They’re complaining about the peace treaty without knowing that simple fact. Even Roosevelt would be surprised. Why didn’t you say something at that time? You’ve lost weight.

Were you scared to tell them? No one would understand anyway. Why? They’re not looking for facts. They just want to know why their sons and brothers had to die. Of course they do. Even a lie is fine if it satisfies them. Can you talk about politics with those people?

Politics should be for those alive now and those yet to be born. It’s not there to settle the scores of the dead. In other words, emotional people aren’t qualified to talk about politics. Yes, but there’s no one who doesn’t have emotions. Is that what they teach you at girls’ school?

– Jiro, why do you study? – Huh? What is your goal in studying? I quit girls’ school. I quit three years ago when you went to England. I thought, I have to do something to keep up with you. Our worlds will become totally different.

But the more I studied, the more I came to wonder just what I was studying for. I know it’s important to be a good wife and mother. But that’s not everything. I think there must be something I can do for society. So you quit school and then what? I don’t know.

Right. There’s an interesting school in Tokyo. I’m not talking about a young ladies’ finishing school. It’s an academy like a European women’s school. I’ll introduce you to them. No, I… If it’s about money, don’t worry. I’ll talk to my mother. I’m thinking of going to Tokyo myself. But…

It’s all right. Just say you’re my fiancée and go on studying. It won’t be too late to marry once your studies are over. Japanese women tend to marry too young. Neither men or women should look for partners until they’re independent adults. Don’t worry.

This dirty water is from none other than the Kanzaki RIver. Look closely… Stay there! This new medicine is called Bakurogan. Baku means explosive, and ro means Russia. Just one pill… It’s like a secret weapon bringing certain victory no matter how large the Russian army. Look!

Whatever bacteria is in your stomach, Bokurogan will wipe it out of your body. You’re going to get sick. Look at me. The color in my face. Hasn’t changed a bit. You’ve turned blue under your eyes. Not at all, not at all. This medicine was made for soldiers in the last war.

I managed to get some and am sharing it with the public. So how about some for your household? I’ll have to ask the mistress. Ah, here she is. Are you the mistress of the household? Greetings to you. Know what this is? It’s water from the Kanzaki River. Look… Stay there! This is Bakurogan.

Just one pill, and no matter how fearsome the bacteria, the attack is immediately repelled! Water’s a worry in the summer, right? How about it? I’ll have to ask my husband. Hey, the baby is up! Ne, could you take care of him? Okay. The master of the household? Greetings to you.

Know what this is? It’s water from the Kanzaki River. Look… Stay there! This is Bakurogan. Just one pill… My stomach… Are you okay? I don’t know. Are your bowels acting up? You people are cruel! Why can’t you all come at once? If you’re that selfish, what am I supposed to do?

I drank three bottles of this. Sorry! Shouldn’t you take one of these? That doesn’t work! Can you get me some real medicine? Mistress, apologies. This area has really changed. Oh, you recognize that? Yes. Toyama medicine sellers like me travel all over Japan. I’ve been in towns all around the country.

Nice. I’d like a job like that. You’re joking. Where are you going from here? I’ll walk to the Saigoku Kaido and follow that to Kobe. I’ll stay a night, eat eel on rice, and take the train to Osaka.

I’ll get a kintsuba sweet, then take the railway to Kyoto, where I’ll buy some mackerel sushi. Or maybe some seafood udon noodles. Very nice. Is riding an electric train different from taking a steam train? The electric train doesn’t blow smoke. But I prefer the steam train. I love the sound.

It’s that way. Master, what do you think? – You heard, right? About Jiro. – Yes. Taro is the eldest son. Right. I’ve worked here for 50 years. I’ve helped raise all the boys in the Hama household. Let me just say this. Jiro is like a balloon.

If you don’t keep tight control of him, there’s no knowing what may happen. Masa, don’t worry. Jiro went through a lot in England. He’s become tougher. As the Chinese proverb says, after three days, you see someone in a different light. He’s become a fine person.

I think he’ll help carry Japan into the future. The problem is Japan is pretty heavy. I’m back. Aah, it’s hot out there. Jiro, how about some gingerale. That sounds good. You want some? Thanks, Taro. That’s all right. Here. I’m sorry. I’m slow as an ox. I’m such a burden to everyone.

You’re no burden at all. This is practically your home too. You should take it easy. Masa! What are you doing out here? If you have time to chat, go clean the entrance… oh, you already did. Prepare dinner…! Oh, we have inari. The diapers must be dry by now.

Right! Hurry and bring them in before it rains! Yes, ma’am. Shige, can’t you be a little gentler? Your mother got mad at me. Taro, as the eldest son, you need to understand people’s feelings. What are you talking about? Did that person leave? He’s in the washroom. Excuse me! Please come in.

– Miyagawa-san? – Yes. Hello. Sorry to barge in. This is good timing. I wanted to talk to you. Anything wrong? We’re thinking to go to Osaka. What will you be doing there? This morning’s paper, it seems true. Tome heard it from sailors on the boat coming from Tokyo.

Osaka seems to be in an uproar. And? So we’ve been thinking. We’re thinking to go there to ask the government to abrogate the treaty. Abrogate? I know they’ll think a woman should stay silent. But I owe it to the kids who suffered in the war.

Not just Tome. Masa’s grandson, Mitsu’s younger brother. I hear that Tsuna’s brother Ushio has gone crazy as well. Poor thing. All of this for the nation! It’s not just us that thinks that. Everyone’s angry, from office workers to farmers and sailors. We have to make the officials hear our voices.

They gave us nothing but potatoes and grain, while dressing their women up in finery. They told us to put up with it, then treat us like this. And they’re still saying to put up with it. We’ve had enough! And what are you asking from us? It’s really hard to say…

Oops, never mind, never mind. So say what you want. Well, in other words… It’s…it’s really hard to say… All these people are going to Osaka, and I’m wondering what’s the best way. I’m thinking to gather everyone feeling that way in Osaka, and hold a demonstration.

I was thinking how to raise the cash, and thought maybe you could help… － See, I told you it’s not possible. – Shhh. Masa, come to Osaka with us. We’re going to Osaka. We’re going to demonstrate against the peace treaty. It’s not just our village.

People from all over who suffered in the war are gathered up in Osaka. Come on, let’s go to Osaka. If you do it, you have to go all out. Right! Let’s take our revenge. What? Masa, this is not a vendetta. It’s a demonstration.

Don’t be cowards. How are you going to get revenge like that? Masa, do you know how far Russia is? I’m talking about revenge on Japan. What? Masa, are you crazy? They killed my grandson. I know it was Russia. But I’m not an idiot.

Why did my grandson and Russians have to go killing each other? Why did a clumsy kid who doesn’t know how to pick shells from the river have to go all the way to another country and kill people he never knew? It was Japan that did that. There was a draft system.

He was a citizen. He had a duty to defend the nation. Who’s a citizen? Everyone. Me, you, your grandson. We’re all children of the emperor. Your grandson fulfilled his duty as a citizen splendidly. You should be proud. Masa, please prepare the bath. Yes, sir. Hey. Master, this… Miyagawa-san, I understand your feelings.

But regardless of what you thought, it was something the government decided. You can’t go opposing that. Why can’t we? Miyagawa-san, I’m glad you’re here. Please take this with you. Not now. All right. Miyagawa-san, I’m also angry about the peace treaty. It’s awful. Still, being angry doesn’t solve anything.

Now is not the time for Japanese to be fighting each other. And the police could get involved. Think what would happen if I gave you money. My position in this village. See, I told you he’d say that. Master, we’re not asking for ourselves. We’re asking for the nation.

Yes, but from the standpoint of the village… Master, the village is part of the country. Taro, you should contribute something. What these people are saying isn’t wrong. This battle was not just about two or three top ministers. It was supposed to be a battle of the people serving their country.

We’ve put up with a lot all this time. The people up top know far too little about that. Japan has supplanted China as the hope of Asia. Accepting this peace treaty under those circumstances will not only make us the laughing stock of the West, but destroy our credibility in East Asia.

Okay. I’ll give you five yen from our household. Five yen! Jiro, you’re quite something. Absolutely. I was mesmerized. Can you be our spokesman in Osaka? Spokesman? Tome, we did it. Master Hama is giving us five yen. Five yen! How did things go with you? Didn’t they come here? Who?

Tsuna and Ushio. Didn’t they come here? No, they haven’t. What’s wrong? I told you I would ask Ushio to be our spokesman. Tsuna was okay with it. But Ushio won’t agree. He doesn’t have to say anything. I told him he could just sit there and say nothing. But he still refused.

Isn’t Shio hard of hearing? What did you say to him? I’m not sure, but I think it’s a neurological disease. He doesn’t seem to be deaf all the time. Tsuna tried to talk him into it, but he wouldn’t budge. She started to change her mind too.

Don’t make me drag him to Osaka, she said. But I couldn’t give up that easily. Then Ushio said something strange and ran out. We have to look for him. Wait. First let me get the money. Here you are. Thank you. I’m not actually angry.

I think if you spoke clearly with Ushio, he would understand. Thank you. This is a big help. We very much appreciate it. Think nothing of it. Master, you heard, didn’t you? Yes. When Tsuna gets here, let me know right away. Okay, okay, I’ll be sure and let you know.

– I object. – To what? To your being spokesman. I understand how Hana feels and what you’re saying. But if the police get involved, it could affect your future. Of course I’m not doing it. I was just playing along. If I hadn’t agreed, they would never have left.

So I did that on purpose. That said, I think five yen is too much. You live up to being the master of the Hama household. You’re impeccably generous. Very admirable. But you have to think ahead as well. Thank you. I feel like eating something spicy. How about curry? What is that?

It’s originally an Indian dish, but it’s eaten a lot in England. In India, they make a soup with lots of spices and eat it with bread baked from kneaded flour. But in Japan, the best way is with rice. Where can we get it? There are restaurants in Tokyo and Osaka.

– And the navy. – The navy? They makes the trainees eat curry in naval school. Curry ingredients like carrots, potatoes and onions are all long-lasting and nutritious. And the soup is thick, so it doesn’t spill when the ship rocks. In other words, it’s a perfect meal for ships.

Right. And if you change the taste a bit, it’s like a homespun meat and potato stew. That goes well with rice too. The army takes the same carrots, potatoes and onions, adds pork and miso, and voilà, you’ve got pork stew. The fat from the pork rises,

And keeps the stew warm for hours. So it’s perfect for all the camping in the army. That’s a lot of carrots, potatoes and onions. You catch on fast. Those vegetables… Can all be found in Hokkaido. Exactly. So it’s a national strategic dish. They made Hokkaido vegetables into military food.

They did a good job. Is that true? My work takes me all over Japan. so my body and intuition are in good shape. Your only weakness is your digestion. Weren’t you saying we need to rebuild this house soon? And here I am trying so hard not to waste a single sen.

Five yen? Five yen?? So what does this curry dish taste like? The only way to describe it is an odd taste that never existed in this country. I had it in the foreign settlement in Kobe. It gave my tongue a tingling sensation and made me drip with sweat.

But when the wind blew and the sweat dried, my body felt strangely warm and refreshed to the core. My intenstines were nicely stimulated, so even though I just ate, I was soon hungry again. Let’s have some tonight. – No, we can’t. – Why not?

You need lots of spices for curry. It’s not easy to get those. What’s funny? Just a kind of thank you. What is it? Curry. This? So nostalgic! I’m impressed you found this. We use a lot of these ingredients for our medicines.

Like turmeric. If you like it, we have access to plenty more. Really? Jiro, you need to think about your position. You can just ignore what Hana says, but instead you take it seriously and lecture us about it. Look… If you have something to say, say it.

Don’t be like a cuckoo clock popping in when the time strikes. I’m sorry. If I go around singing it might be noisy, but that’s a nanny’s job. Come, come. Go to sleep, baby. At the Tenma market,

They collect turnips and pile them on the ship. Come, come. He’s asleep. His nose looks just like Hana’s. Everything else is just like my brother. The lullaby just now…They don’t pile turnips in this area. Here we have radishes. You must be from Yamada. Yes. Look closely at me.

Around the black of my eye. There’s a thread-like scar, right? It looks like a tiny scar to you. But it looks huge to me. Half of your face looks like it’s sparkling because of this scar. Where? Here, look closely. You’re getting married to Aki. Right.

I stopped in Istanbul once on a ship. There were people from everywhere – Europeans, Arabs, Asians. Many beautiful women. Persians, Kurds, Jews, Azerbaijanis, Indians, Sicilians. Like a bouquet of the world’s flowers. People with piercing looks or big noses. When you look closely, they all have personal traits.

After all that, Japanese faces feel lacking somehow. They’re uninteresting, plain. What are you trying to say? I feel like I’m still on the ship. I have a favor to ask. I have someone I want you to hide. Who? Tsuna! Ushio! It’s Jiro. Do you recognize me? You don’t, do you? Actually, Tome is…

I know. She was just here. I’m sorry. I agreed at first. But when I saw how Ushio objected, I realized he was being turned into a spectacle. I tried hiding him, but our home is so small. I figured he’d be discovered right away. Is there somehow we can use this house?

If you want to hide him, there must be better places. If it’s here, they can’t do anything rash. Please, Jiro. This is so sudden. In any case, Taro has the storehouse key. Here they come. Hurry, take him inside. Here. Hello, can we come in? Ushio, go that way. Ushio, this way. Hello?

Yes, come in. Hello. Hello… Aki. What are you doing here? I had to talk with Jiro. About what? It has nothing to do with you. Sorry, but we’re going to have to search your home. Tome! Tome, what are you doing? I’m sorry. It’ll just take a moment. I need to inspect your home.

Excuse me. What do you mean by “inspect”? What is Aki doing here? She had business with me. Master, you promised to tell me right away if Ushio ever came here. If he comes, I’ll tell you. Tome, please stop this. Ushio is very upset. You seem to know a lot about this.

So both Tsuna and Ushio have come running here. Tome, what is wrong with you? This is not like you. No use holding a protest rally with just women like us who’ve never been to battle. Having people who suffered in the war gives us greater force. Yes, but Ushio is deaf.

It’s cruel to drag someone like that into this. When I heard that Ushio was injured and couldn’t speak at all even after coming home, I thought war was horrible. One look at Ushio will show how the children who went to war have suffered. He doesn’t want to go!

Master, I’m going to inspect here as well. Sorry. Wait. That is not a place for women. I apologize if this is disturbing you, but this is not for my sake. We have to ensure that the dead are vindicated. Tome, you need to calm down.

People like you need to respect the local customs. This is not the time to talk about customs. This is for all of Japan. I’m going in. Control yourself! Taro, you inspect the room. Hurry. No one’s there. Ushio! I know you’re upset. If you don’t help, all your suffering will be in vain.

Not just you. The suffering of all those who fought with you. Are you going to let that happen? Tome, no one is in there. Please stop. Something wild is happening in Osaka. What? I heard from boatmen who just got back. People like us opposed to the peace treaty have gathered in Nakanoshima.

Tsuna, you heard that, right? It’s not just us. All of Osaka, all of Japan is angry. We have no intention of exhibiting Ushio like a freak. People who struggled like Ushio are gathering at the rally. You’re not the only one who suffered. Come to Osaka with us.

What are you saying? He doesn’t want to go. Why don’t you give up already? Ushio, you were in the navy, right? I know it was tough. What was it like in the navy? What was it like on the ship? Please say something!

You know what he went through in the war without him having to tell you. It’s despicable to try to make him talk about it. My son was in the navy, too. The navy is brutal. I got a single piece of paper telling me he’s dead. Not even the remains.

Ushio, please tell us. What was the navy like? What did my son do? Why did he die? Jiro, where do you think you’re going? I hear in Osaka they’re demanding that Japan continue to fight. This is a big deal. What do you mean continue to fight?

Just what I said, that we keep fighting the war. What? Don’t be absurd. They couldn’t do anything so stupid. You still believe that? Hana, we’ve made our decision. I completely object! If that’s the case, I’m for the peace treaty. You idiot! You’re the idiot. What happens to our child?

Just home from the war, and now they’re going to send him back? Relax, the authorities aren’t devils. They’re not going to put him in the worst of it. And there are still some who won’t come back. Think of them. No! Absolutely not! Absolutely not! Hana, that logic doesn’t make sense.

No, no, no! I’m for a peace treaty! Will you shut up already? I’m sorry, Master. I’m too soft on her, letting her chatter away like this. Don’t you feel anything at all for our child? If you can’t protect your own son, you can’t call yourself a father.

I apologize for that. She’s an embarrassment. Who’s an embarrassment? How dare you! Jiro, tell us what you think. No, I… Go on, don’t hold back. If the war continues, Japan will definitely…lose. I went too far. It’s a battle, so sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. Japan will not lose!

Those who gave their life for our country will surely protect us. Isn’t that right? You’re right. Japan won’t lose. I understand your feelings. Everything you’ve said is right. It proves you’ve been thinking seriously about it. And? In other words, you’re fighting over nothing. Miyagawa-san, you’re not saying you want a war, right?

You’re wondering if the peace treaty could be better, right? That’s the same thing Hana is saying. Argh! Politics won’t accomplish anything with such a naive attitude! It’s because the ones going to elections have this attitude like you that the poor like us have to suffer.

No, what I’m trying to say is this. We all feel the same here. It’s sad to fight over such tiny differences in opinion. And? And…so… I’ll be the first here…to shut up. We’re talking about toppling the government. We need to put pressure on them.

The best bargaining tactic is to call for a continuation of the war. It’s not just a tactic. We’ll keep fighting if necessary. – Absolutely not. – No, it’s just a bargaining tactic, nothing more. No! Stop this nonsense! Tome. Continue the war – are you seriously saying that? It’s finally over.

If we go on, we’ll just have more people like you. Is that what you want? Jiro, you can’t use war talk as a bargaining tool. You don’t how the government might use that. I was just throwing out one suggestion. So what do you think we should do then?

We know so little about the truth of this war. I think a lot of smart people are hiding things from us. We’re the ones who gave soldiers and money for this war. If we lost the will, the war couldn’t go on. I think they’ve fed us a bunch of lies.

But the peace treaty is between nations. They can’t tell the same lies to foreigners. That’s why the details that they’ve been hiding from us are all coming out now. They say that Japan won, but it seems only just barely. If we fought again, we’d lose badly. Aki. I’ve never been so frustrated.

Only a handful of people have voting rights. But it’s you and I who have to go to war and pay for it. We should have the right to vote. We are citizens of this country. Will you stop the talk about citizens?

It was because my grandson was a citizen that he was sent to war. If he weren’t a citizen, he wouldn’t have had to die. Masa! Don’t say something stupid like that. I’m sorry, but you don’t need to make such a big deal out of being a citizen.

That child wasn’t anyone special. You all remember him. He used to fight birds to keep off his lunch, dirty his clothes with wild grapes. I had to wash his clothes every day. You remember? Are those the memories worthy of a citizen?

Master, please use your powers to remove these children from any list of citizens. I beg you. Masa, you’re insulting your grandson by saying that. – Wake up! – Ouch! What are you doing? You’re being played for fools. Why do our children have to go to other countries and fight?

What do we have against the Russians that we need to go killing each other? Answer me! We’ve lived happily in this village. Rice, vegetables, fish. We had no need for anything. I won’t be fooled anymore! Wake up! Wake up! Ushio! Stop that!

They’re here! “Today skies are clear, and the waves are high!” Ushio! Stop! Okay, calm down. Mistress, sorry. Can we have some water? They’ve raised the Z Flag on Battleship Mikasa! Ushio… “The fate of the Empire rests on the outcome of this battle. Let each man do his utmost!”

Not like that. Like this! Put your legs closer together and your hands straight down. Trumpets! Turning left! Turning left! Huh? I think it’s a water column. A water column? We’re being attacked. That’s bad. Get ready for the counterattack. Left turn completed. Ready to fire. Ready to fire! Signal distance 7,000. Distance 7,000.

Target enemy flagship Suvorov. Target enemy flagship Suvorov. Ready…fire! Did you get it? Not sure yet. Damn! It swerved left! Do not leave your posts. Do not leave your posts. Urinate on deck if needed. Urinate on deck if needed. Are you all right? Switch with me. Switch! The stretcher! Bring the stretcher! Ouch. Here.

The stretcher. I leave it to you. Master, get on this. How do I get on it? Just pretend. Ushio! Stay steady. Did you bring the ammunition? Target enemy flagship Suvorov. Signal distance 6,000. Distance 6,000. Fire! What happened? Did you get the enemy? Ouch… Ushio! I want curry… Ushio! Hold on.

I’m not going to Tokyo. Why? Sorry. Why? What about your studies? Weren’t you going to study to help society? I can study in places other than Tokyo. No, you can’t. All the people with knowledge and skills are in Tokyo. If you study here, you’ll be wanting to go to Tokyo in a year.

There are books and teachers that are only in Tokyo. I know that. So why? I see. I’m sorry. I knew it. I had a feeling since I saw you this afternoon. I’m sorry. Everyone has changed. Everyone but me, I guess. What are you studying for?

That’s what I was asked. It made me think. I’m just a waste. A waste of a human. I may be smart. I was raised properly. I’m kind, especially to women. But that’s all I am. I don’t have any special desire to serve society.

The feeling isn’t there. I’m of no use to society. There’s nothing much I can do about it. But I’ll follow this through to the end. The path of waste. Follow through is too strong a phrase. I’ll drift. I’ll devote my life to drifting through the world.

– So… – So goodbye. Thank you for everything. Jiro. You were listening, were you? No. We had a lot of inari rolls left from lunch. I thought Aki could take them back with her. Give them to me. I’m a bit hungry. Oh, genuine Kyoto style. These are with pepper, these are mixed.

Thank you. Delicious. Jiro, are you sure it’s okay to dismiss her out of hand like that? You’ve got your mother’s blessing. Compared to the Tale of Genji, where the lover’s spirit possesses her and kills her, I may have broken up too lightly. We operate from a different set of values.

We value solidarity based on friendship and love. What you just witnessed was a fork in the railway. You go that way, I go this way. Let’s part in peace. Just imagine that that’s what you witnessed. So what now? Don’t worry. I won’t be here long. That’s not what I’m saying.

You were born here. You can stay as long as you like. I appreciate that. What kind of work will you be doing? What is this? “Hototogisu” (“The Little Cuckoo”) It’s a magazine put out by the haikuist Masaoka Shiki. A hiker? Haikuist. A person who writes haiku.

Masaoka has revolutionized the art of poetry, writing modern haiku and tanka for our times. You’ll be working with him? He’s passed away. The magazine is being carried on by his students at his bequest. And what will you do? When I got to London, I came to know a friend of Masaoka.

Says he taught English in high school back in Japan. He was an eccentric person. He’d eat a whole bottle of jam with such a serious look. I’ve never met anyone so interesting. He wrote a piece for Hototogisu. “I am a cat. As yet I have no name.” What do you think?

It describes me exactly. “I am a cat. As yet I have no name.” Oh, you can be a novelist. You should. No, no. Why? I have no love. I have no love for my fellow man. A novel by a loveless author is just self-gratification.

I don’t want to write a novel like that. I don’t know how to encourage you. I think I just studied too much. I guess the summer’s over. It’s just nighttime. It’ll be hot again tomorrow. I’ll clean that up. Thank you. I’ll go to sleep. Good night. Good night. Meow.

Is it ready yet, Master? Not yet. We’re gonna drink up all the beer. Hey! Come help me over here! I’ll wash up afterwards. Thank you so much! The vegetables are ready. What do we do next? How about the meat? Tome should be bringing that soon. Cheap meat won’t work.

No worries. We have five yen. Enough of that already. I’m grateful you’re letting us spend that five yen for a feast like this. I can’t take back what I already gave you. A true heir to the Hama household. Don’t tell my wife. All right, all right. Where did Jiro go?

And that woman who was always saying, “Yeah, okay”? Master, I bought the meat! How is it? This is excellent. So now what? Cut the meat into big cubes, and throw them into the pot. What’s the matter? You want your mommy? You want to sleep? Pee-pee?… Ah, poo-poo… So Ne really isn’t here.

Yes, the rumor must be true. Rumor? They say that Jiro eloped with her. With who? Hello. We’re in here. Oh, you’ve come together. Yes, he heard there was curry and asked to come. I’m sorry for what happened recently. No, that’s fine. I’m glad to see you looking so well. Isn’t Seiroku here?

Come over to our house sometime, Ushio. He’ll be happy to see you. Okay. Seiroku got a marriage proposal. From who? Some rich person in Osaka. Says Seiroku is honorable for bearing an injury in the war. He wants to introduce a girl. Really? What will you do? I’m not sure what to do.

Let’s have curry! Lotus root? There were no potatoes. And this? Fried tofu. Why? It was sitting over there. Curry. How about it? Nostalgic, isn’t it? The navy serves curry on its ships every Friday. Why on Friday? Why Friday? Because it’s Friday. I see. Now we put in the curry powder.

My son must have eaten this too. Looks like it’s going well. We just have to wait until it thickens, and then it’s done. But it’s watery. Maybe we should put in more starch. Right. Don’t be acting arbitrarily. How about sugar? That gets thick too. Master, we’re going to borrow some starch and sugar.

Go right ahead. How is it? It’s spicy…What do you think? We’ll add some fish stock. Wait! Ah, Madam. Thank you for having us in your home. What are you doing up? We’ll call you when everyone’s here. Get some sleep. She wanted to know what was happening. What’s that smell? It’s curry.

It’ll be ready soon. Wait just a little longer. Would you like some? If she eats that, it’ll give her stomach a shock. I’ll have some. I’m hungry. I’m checking how it tastes. I’ll do it. But you’ve never had curry before, have you? I’ll do it. Master, is Tokyo still under martial law?

Yes. Seems a lot of people have died. If it goes on like this, the government will fall. It’s frightening. What’s frightening? This is our country. If we’re angry, it’s only right that the government should fall. That’s right. Even with a new prime minister, nothing will change.

The old Choshu and Satsuma clans just take turns being prime minister. That’s right. The only people who can change the country are those who represent us. Miso soup? Curry. How is it? Not enough miso. Add some more miso. This is curry! Excuse me. She’s here. Today’s main guest. Main guest?

Aki! Madam, thank you very much. Everyone, Aki has decided to go to Tokyo to study. One reason we had you over today is to celebrate the start of her new life. Aki, please take care of yourself. Thank you. It was Jiro who had the idea.

He said Aki should go to school in Tokyo and made the arrangements. Also…this is rather sudden, but Jiro’s decided to study overseas again. I thought his talk would come to nothing. But you remember the fuss here last month about how the war should be settled. It made me think.

We all must study. The weakest have to study and help others in the same position. I don’t think things were better in the past. And I don’t think things have gotten better now. We were all on a train that we couldn’t get off.

We need to look closely at where we’re going and correct course if it’s wrong. Yes! I’m old and can’t study anymore. But I can support the young people who want to study. Aki, study hard. Make a world where we can live in peace. I will! Masa-san.

I’ll study hard and create a world where people like you can have a happy life. Masa, bring the beer! Here you are. Thank you! It’s curry.