An afternoon in late autumn.
Bars in the daytime
are like women without makeup.
THE LILAC BAR
Not Iike that!
You got married in a church,
so kiss Iike foreigners do.
That's right!
Hurry up.
Not Iike that.
Try again.
Stop teasing.
He's sweating.
I'm surprised Miyuki got married first.
She Ioved working here.
Marriage is what
every woman wants.
Not me.
I'm going to save some money
and open my own pIace.
ShaII we cut the cake?
ShouIdn't we wait for Mama?
Mama?
We're waiting for you.
What?
WeII, pIease hurry.
The owner's chewing out
Mama and Mr. Komatsu.
Mr. Komatsu?
I wonder why.
It's obvious.
" You're not making
enough money!''
I guess it isn't easy
being a mama.
SaIes were down Iast month
and the month before.
Why?
Mama's doing her best.
Isn't it because
Mr. Minobe stopped coming in?
Sorry my phone caII
took so Iong.
Mama, do you know
where Mr. Minobe goes these days?
Yuri's bar.
The same Yuri
who worked for you.
Minobe has contacts
at big companies.
If you caII him,
he'II come by.
I wonder.
Your job
is to make money for me.
If saIes are down again this month,
I'II repIace you.
Understand?
Don't be so prim.
Yuri goes aII out.
He's trying to humiIiate me!
TeIIing me to do such a thing!
But business has pIummeted.
Even so, I won't caII him.
It's not just Mr. Minobe.
I've never begged
anyone to come in.
It's not pride.
I hate doing that.
I hate Iiquor,
yet I drink my fiII every night.
Isn't that " going aII out''?
Get your own pIace.
Where wouId I find a miIIion yen?
Mama, don't worry.
Any of the 700 bars
in the Ginza wouId hire you.
What's that?
I hate that sound.
I've got a biII to coIIect on.
Regards to Miyuki.
- Mama!
- What happened?
su1c1de.
The BIuebird hostess.
The fortune-teIIer was right.
Fortune-teIIer?
I took her to a fortune-teIIer
who predicted misfortune,
and it hit her hard.
Something awfuI's happened!
I heard.
I'm sorry I'm Iate.
The BIuebird was
heaviIy mortgaged.
- I heard it was a Iove triangIe.
- Not debt?
Her patron and her Iover
had a fight.
How oId was she?
Forty-three,
but she Iooked younger.
- Aging's hard on a woman.
- I'd better save up for the oId foIks' home.
Enough of that taIk.
Sing, somebody!
We've got a train to catch.
Thanks for everything.
I'II go see them off.
He couId at Ieast buy
second-cIass tickets.
Try to think more positiveIy.
It won't be easy!
Be gratefuI you got
a chance to marry.
Compared to handIing drunks,
his mother wiII be easy.
Mr. Matsui,
take good care of her.
We're not far.
PIease come visit.
Thank you.
As the office girls
are leaving work,
our work is just beginning.
This is nice.
Or is it too pIain?
No, but it's a bit matronIy.
ReaIIy? I'd stiII Iike it.
You sure?
Twin matches - good Iuck!
Stop acting
Iike a cheap cabaret girI.
It's vuIgar.
You sure know how to eat.
You just ruined the taste.
- Other shops seII these for Iess.
- Ours are better.
I'II take these.
How about a discount?
You'II ruin me!
How much is this?
Don't say that.
Just come by.
We haven't seen you
in so Iong.
I'm IoneIy. I reaIIy am.
WeIcome!
Don't bother.
He's from the savings pIan.
Sorry I'm Iate.
So it's 100 yen from Sachiko,
and 200 from Kiyomi.
It's aII here, pops.
Night fell...
l hated climbing those stairs
more than anything.
But once l was up,
l would take each day as it came.
Mr. Minobe, weIcome.
You're quite a stranger.
You caIIed, so here I am.
You'd compIeteIy disappeared.
Pardon me a moment.
Mr. Minobe's here.
Did you caII him?
I said it was the LiIac Bar caIIing,
not you.
Same thing.
He's my customer.
Don't meddIe.
It's business.
Just don't.
Do you Iike this tiepin?
Very nice.
You're not even Iooking.
I bought it for you.
For me?
Put it on.
- No, give it to a customer.
- But -
Good evening.
They're cracking down.
It's harder to get the goods.
- You mean Tetsu got caught?
- Yeah.
Next time I'II be the one
sent to the sIammer.
You've got it good here,
surrounded by girIs,
and with a reguIar paycheck.
That girI's crazy about you.
- I'm not interested in the girIs here.
- ReaIIy?
You can't succeed as a manager here
if you fiddIe with the goods.
Maybe, but what a waste!
WeIcome.
You've got new girIs,
but this pIace is dead!
That's because it's stiII earIy.
Right, Mama?
He's hinting
it's because he's been away.
That's right.
So come by every night.
- This pIace is so routine.
How rude!
You can't take him seriousIy.
He'II aIways act mean
and then turn on the charm.
- Is that true?
- That's my... routine.
But seriousIy,
I've run a Iot of companies.
Any pIace headed downhiII
is aIways depressing Iike this.
I see.
Is Yuri's pIace IiveIy?
You bet.
Not Iike here.
Want to see for yourseIf?
PIease.
I couId Iearn a Iot.
WeIcome!
Is this seat okay?
Mari.
Mr. Inagaki came by Iast night.
Yuri worked for me
until last summer.
She has a gift
for handling men.
Forgive me
for negIecting you.
Care for a drink?
My stomach's been bothering me.
- Swimming in dough, eh?
- Sure. Maybe I'II Iend it out.
Can you teach me
to caIcuIate interest?
Don't impIy
that's my Iine of work.
- It's great you're so busy.
- Thanks.
ActuaIIy, I bareIy scrape by.
Liar.
Didn't you buy a new car?
A used one that bareIy runs.
It uses so much gas
it drives me crazy.
- StiII, you're succeeding.
- See, she -
Be quiet and drink.
Mama and I have a Iot to taIk about.
Mama, that kimono is stunning.
Those stripes reaIIy suit you.
I gasped when I saw you come in.
Your dress is IoveIy too.
Enough. I'm not paying
to Iisten to this chatter.
WeII, heIIo there!
HeIIo.
I used to see him
at your pIace.
A brewery executive.
He's very nice.
Mr. Minobe.
Sorry I've been out of touch.
Busy as usuaI?
OnIy at night.
Business is dead.
AIways the kidder.
Excuse me.
He's president
of an appIiance firm.
I taught him how to use
a radio during the w*r.
Now his company's thriving.
ShaII I introduce you?
Yes, pIease.
No probIem.
I'm Ieaving for Izu tonight
to go goIfing. Come aIong.
I can't goIf.
What wouId be the point?
I'II pIay the goIf, okay?
It's too sudden.
Your pIace just phoned.
A guest...
Thank you.
I'II be going.
I'II be here. Phone me.
Leaving aIready?
I'II drive you back.
Don't bother.
WaIking's faster.
PIease come again.
Take care.
Mama, scouting out the enemy?
I know where you're going.
PIease, go ahead.
It's my first time here.
Yuri won't stop caIIing.
I'II drop by Iater.
ReaIIy?
I'II be waiting.
What were you and Mama
taIking about?
Gimme a refiII.
What to do?
The time to decide was looming.
l went to work at a new bar.
Only a few leaves were left
on the sycamores.
How nice to see you!
When did you arrive from Osaka?
Last night. An emergency
sharehoIders meeting.
I see. This way, pIease.
- I had a hard time finding the pIace.
- Forgive me.
I Iost your map card.
WeIcome.
He drinks BIack & White with water.
Don't forget.
- Nice pIace.
- Thank you.
Making more than before?
It's aIways money with you.
That's the most important thing.
Foreigners ask for the price Iist
before they even drink a gIass of juice.
And they pay up front.
Did Mama give Minobe
the brush-off?
Where'd you hear that?
Besides, how wouId we know?
You're weII trained.
Is my face red?
I may Iook sturdy,
but I can't drink at aII.
Then why come to a bar?
I can't stand sitting at home
once the Iights go on.
But aren't you married?
Not even cIose.
ShouId I caII Mama?
That's okay.
I'm not her onIy customer.
You're so nice!
I'd Iike to marry a man Iike you.
I'm honored.
It's true.
Handsome men are conceited.
May I have a drink?
Sorry to negIect you.
Yukiko, couId you go to the bar?
Have a drink on me.
Thanks.
Mama doesn't have a patron?
No, she's too virtuous.
She'II cave in eventuaIIy.
A woman's a woman.
Want to bet?
- On what?
- On who'II get her.
AII her reguIar guests are here.
Let's see.
That oId man from Osaka
has the most money...
but she Iikes the banker best.
Odds are on him.
What about the fat feIIow?
Not even in the running.
Did you put on a IittIe weight?
HardIy, with aII my debts.
That can't be.
Nothing's harder than
running a 30-man factory.
Is that so?
You're thinner.
Am I?
It's stressfuI changing bars.
- But even prettier.
- Thank you.
- You Iike tempura?
- I Iove it.
I'II treat you tomorrow.
Can't.
I have to see a customer off
at the airport.
Some other time then.
I'm sorry.
WeIcome!
Did Mr. Goda arrive?
Mr. Fujisaki's a reguIar too.
Yes.
That guest toId me
to hoId this for him.
There's 500,000 yen inside!
Don't faII for that.
It's true!
SiIIy.
He's just trying to get you
to go out with him.
It's just for show?
Leave it with Komatsu.
How about dinner tomorrow?
- What time?
- Any time.
I'II caII you.
Leaving so soon?
Stay a bit.
I have to meet someone.
Keep the drinks fIowing
for my men there.
How about dinner tomorrow?
Okay. I'II caII you tomorrow.
Take care.
Between 1 1.30 and midnight,
the Ginza's 16,000 hostesses
head home in droves.
The best go by cab...
the second-rate take the train...
and the worst go off
with their customers.
Junko.
Tomoko, you'II miss the Iast train.
Goodness! Bye now.
You forgot this.
SiIIy me! It's for my son's
schooI trip tomorrow.
Good-bye.
- Good night.
- Good-bye.
WeIcome.
- WeIcome.
- Thank you.
The sign's stiII on outside.
I'm sorry.
She's drunk again.
I'II take her to my apartment.
Keiko,
isn't that kimono a bit pIain?
Is it?
Wear something fIashier.
The Carton Bar.
A caII for you.
What is it?
No, we can't provide
geisha this Iate.
Give them some sushi,
then kick them out.
I'm busy, so I'II be brief.
I paid the 1 70,000 yen
your guests owed at the LiIac
so you'd be free
to work for me here.
It's just a formaIity, but pIease
put your seaI on this receipt.
I'II coIIect the money soon
and pay you back.
I'II be going.
No need to see me out.
Did the owner Ieave?
I hate to ask, but couId you
coIIect on biIIs again tomorrow?
She'II probabIy
want interest too.
I'II get a cab.
WiII you bring Junko?
Back home...
l felt tired
and a little drunk.
My rent is 30,000 yen,
a lot for one person.
But for us Ginza hostesses,
an apartment's
a fashionable accessory...
just like expensive clothes
and perfumes.
Junko!
Oh, it's you.
Mama wanted to come,
but reIatives
arrived from Nagoya.
She asked me
to extend her apoIogies.
I see.
We'd appreciate
payment soon, sir.
I've overspent this month.
I'd prefer to pay
these two biIIs next month.
I understand.
But they're biIIs
from the oId bar, so...
Mama's having a hard time too.
Yes, her aunt and uncIe
just came from Nagoya.
She asked me to apoIogize.
Me?
I'm watching her pIace.
But pIease do visit
our bar again.
Okay?
Good-bye.
The man from Osaka was furious.
Was he?
It's stiII easier
than saying no to his face.
You're right.
I just Iearned a new trick.
Mama...
who's your favorite customer?
I don't know.
I do.
Mr. Fujisaki?
I don't disIike him.
But in our business
we have to treat
every man Iike a Iover.
You can't Iove just one man.
Too bad.
I couId Iove
just one rich man.
That 500,000 yen from Iast night -
I can stiII see it.
Let's not taIk shop.
Here.
Thank you.
Your omeIettes are as good
as a restaurant's.
My Iate husband Ioved omeIettes.
I hate to cook.
- Even rice?
- I use an eIectric cooker.
I thought you'd say that.
You stiII have to know
how to use it.
You'II have a hard time
when you get married.
I had it hard at first.
At first?
Oh, when you got married?
I've aIways wanted to ask:
What was your husband Iike?
Handsome?
There's a photograph
in the famiIy shrine.
May I?
Isn't he good-Iooking?
He's kind of chubby.
I'm disappointed.
He wasn't reaIIy handsome,
but he was so kind.
Maybe because he was
ten years oIder.
I was just out of high schooI.
I caused him such grief
with my seIfishness.
He d*ed so soon.
I wish I'd been nicer.
But he Iooked so heaIthy.
Was it iIIness?
No, he got hit by a truck.
Poor man.
It's hard to forget someone
you Iose so unexpectedIy.
Mama...
is it true you put
a Iove Ietter in his urn?
Who toId you that?
Mr. Komatsu said you toId him
once when you were drunk.
It's a beautifuI,
romantic thing to do.
When I heard that,
I respected you so much.
SiIIy girI. It's not true.
That's Komatsu for you.
It was in a noveI I read.
A noveI?
What a Ietdown!
But my husband
was such a good person.
Is that why nobody eIse
can win your heart?
It's not that.
It just seems so dirty.
It's not my way.
If a woman does such things,
her charm disappears.
Aren't you IoneIy sometimes?
Sure.
But I have a brandy
and go to sIeep.
That kind of fever soon passes.
You reaIIy have some seIf-controI!
I cIench my teeth
so hard they hurt.
Honest?
You're so guIIibIe!
Oh, you!
A woman shouIdn't be Ioose.
That's one ruIe I've foIIowed.
I'm not a prude,
but if I Iet go once,
it'd be too hard to stop.
Maybe I'm just a coward.
Don't sit there thinking.
Your food's getting coId.
HeIIo?
Mother?
Just a second.
Junko, pIease get the door.
What is it?
30,000 yen?
This is too sudden.
The kimono-maker's biII
is due today.
Wait a coupIe days.
I'II send it with your monthIy aIIowance.
Listen, did you make
your pickIed cabbage?
Bring some when you come.
Don't catch coId.
Good morning.
How'd it go?
Let me eat first.
I'm starving.
Fujisaki finaIIy paid,
but Mr. Goda won't pay
unIess you ask him personaIIy.
He fIashed the money
but wouIdn't hand it over.
I'II go see him tomorrow.
The usuaI inn at Tsukiji?
Won't he try to seduce you?
They try aII the time,
but it can onIy work if I Iet them.
Famous Iast words.
You've heard of
Nobuko at CIub 8?
She wouIdn't even give in
to a cabinet member.
But then she feII in Iove
with some down-and-out guitarist.
Now she's a maid
in a Iove hoteI.
I started as a busboy
in the Ginza ten years ago.
I've seen a Iot Iike her.
What's your point?
Just sharing my experience.
Good marmaIade.
Thanks for coming.
Yesterday I had to take
five kimonos over to Yuri's pIace.
Five?
Her business must be booming.
Care to buy any yourseIf?
I just finished paying
for my Iast one.
Pay whenever you can.
I trust you.
Men are so strange.
You aIways rush off afterwards.
It's bad manners,
especiaIIy the first time.
Can't you stay another hour?
Don't get Iipstick on me.
You're Iike a poIitician.
You don't keep your word.
" The girIs in my care
are precious goods
not to be touched.''
That onIy appIies
to women Iike Mama.
Oh, that's nice!
FooIing around with me
whiIe going on about her.
There aren't many
Iike her in the Ginza.
Oh, I see.
What?
You did to me
what you couIdn't do to her.
Nonsense.
Hurry and get ready.
Hand it over.
- What?
- The money.
You said you Iiked me.
I'm a pro.
I charge the men I Iike too.
It pays better than a normaI job,
but I have to spend
so much on myseIf.
It's a vicious circIe.
It makes no sense.
The owner takes it aII anyway.
How oId are you?
Don't ask. OId enough.
Thirty?
That's the turning point
in a woman's Iife.
The time to decide
whether to marry
or open your own bar.
TeII me, wouId you Iike
your own pIace?
You're joking.
I'II consider it,
if that's what you want.
I couIdn't.
Yes, you couId.
You couId make it work.
How much wouId it take?
Give me a figure.
Even tiny bars in the Ginza
cost over a miIIion.
Then it's no probIem.
Some money I Ient out
came back before it was due.
An honest feIIow.
See? In cash.
Just a IittIe windfaII.
My wife wiII grab it
if I take it home.
And the banks onIy pay 6% .
If you're serious
about setting up shop, take it.
You'd Iend it to me?
WeII...
maybe even give it to you.
I come to Tokyo
severaI times a month.
It's a waste staying aII aIone
in a big room Iike this.
Maybe we couId...
reach an understanding.
I don't want to force you
into anything.
Think it over.
Ask yourseIf if you want
to spend your Iife working for others.
Mama...
come cIoser.
WiII you dine now?
No, thank you.
I'm just Ieaving.
I shouId be going.
I'II have an answer
next time I see you.
HeIIo?
Komatsu?
I'd Iike your advice.
It's not a bad proposition.
You approve?
That's irreIevant.
So you'II finaIIy get
a pIace of your own.
You were a cashier
when I recruited you five years ago.
Time fIies.
Now it's either marriage
or my own bar.
No respectabIe man
wouId marry me now.
I've made up my mind.
So you're giving in
to the oId man
after hoIding out for five years.
What's so funny?
If I was going
to do it that way,
there are better men
than Mr. Goda.
I'II soIicit subscriptions.
If ten men put up 100,000 yen each,
that wouId make a miIIion.
I'II deduct their drinks
from what I owe them.
Now I approve!
Being a kept woman is stupid.
I'II chip in too.
You wiII? Thanks.
But I don't want to burden you.
Mr. Sonoda, Mr. Ito,
and Mr. Matsubara -
they're good
for 200,000 yen each.
That's 600,000.
The rest are smaII spenders.
But Fujisaki's a banker.
He couId put up 200,000.
No, not him.
Why not?
No speciaI reason.
You feeI awkward asking him?
Something Iike that.
I know a good bar for saIe.
- Where?
- ShaII I show you?
PIease.
THE CONGA BAR
The down payment is cheap.
Just one drawback:
You share the restroom
with the sushi pIace downstairs.
No pressure, but I've got
two other interested parties.
- We'II taIk it over.
- I'II be eating downstairs.
WeII?
It needs some fixing up,
but it's a good pIace to start.
I'II be your bartender.
- You're too expensive.
- Not at first.
But sharing the restroom
with a cheap sushi pIace -
wouId my customers come?
They'II come to see you.
Let's do a test run.
Order something.
A dry martini?
Coming right up.
Komatsu, your secret's out.
The Iipstick on your shirt.
Lipstick?
Can't avoid an occasionaI smudge
with so many women around.
So what do you say?
WeII...
We can't quite decide.
I've got nicer pIaces.
What a surprise.
Long time no see.
I'd Iike to taIk to you.
How about some tea?
Are you stiII angry at me?
Angry at you?
About what?
I want to apoIogize
for taking your customers.
I'm sorry.
It was the onIy way
to keep my pIace going.
Don't worry about it.
Minobe stiII comes?
Yes.
Maybe it's this Iight,
but you Iook thinner.
Just between us, I'm deep in debt.
It's taking its toII.
You must be joking.
I heard you bought
five kimonos for Christmas.
I don't have them anymore.
I bought them on credit,
then pawned them for cash. CIever, huh?
Isn't that risky?
I soId my car
and put away my goIf cIubs.
I borrowed so much to get started
that now I'm in a pinch.
Don't Iaugh.
What'II you do?
I've decided to die.
Isn't that a great idea?
They say sIeeping piIIs
work quite weII.
Yuri!
Just kidding.
It'II be a staged su1c1de.
I won't actuaIIy die.
I'II just fake it
to hoId off creditors.
Shocked?
Not shocked. Impressed.
I thought,
with your pIace doing so weII,
your view of the worId
might be a IittIe too rosy.
But you've tasted struggIe too.
I respect that.
You're embarrassing me.
What a strange conversation.
Whatever happens,
don't give up.
By the way,
I'm going to open my own bar.
ReaIIy? That's wonderfuI!
Let's drink to that.
Women working in the Ginza
fought desperately for survival.
lt was a battle
l couldn't afford to lose.
On my days off, l took my pledge book
from one company to the next.
Some men promised
more than l expected,
some less.
But l didn't want to discuss money
with the man l really cared about.
A pIedge book?
WeII, weII.
Your money wiII be repaid
IittIe by IittIe
in the form of your bar tab.
So we have to come drink
to get repaid? Smart idea.
I'm not trying to coerce anyone.
Joking aside,
I'd Iike to heIp,
especiaIIy since it's you,
but a bank can't Iend 200,000
without coIIateraI.
However, I can put up
30,000 out of my own pocket.
I may be branch manager,
but it's other peopIe's money.
May I speak to you, sir?
Excuse me.
l shouldn't have come.
CoIIecting on biIIs?
Depressed?
I don't feeI down.
My cIient didn't pay,
but at Ieast I ran into you.
How about some tea?
What a nice fragrance.
What's your perfume?
BIack Narcissus.
Must cost a Iot.
It's stronger here
than at the bar.
ReaIIy?
So you're opening
your own pIace?
Has everyone contributed?
Nothing but promises so far.
I'm counting on you too.
You're putting me in a spot.
Why?
WeII...
No, I'd better not.
Come on. TeII me.
AII right.
A bar is no pIace for you.
I'd be happier
seeing you marry a good man.
You're the first to say that.
Everyone eIse encouraged me.
It's not the money.
But I aIways feeI sorry
seeing you with drunks.
I don't know how you got
into this Iine of work,
but you beIong
in a nice home.
Don't be offended.
It's just my opinion.
Put me down for 100,000 yen.
Christmas time again.
How depressing.
I have to buy new cIothes,
seII tickets.
WeII, weII.
Long time no see.
Kiyomi! How are you?
I'm fine,
but the LiIac is going under.
Did you hear?
Yuri did a terribIe thing.
I know.
You do?
She committed su1c1de!
No, she was just faking.
Can she fake being dead?
Dead?
Yes. I just got back
from paying my respects.
She put sIeeping piIIs
in brandy.
Not too many,
but with that much aIcohoI...
I'm sorry she was
so much troubIe to you.
Not at aII.
I just came
to offer my condoIences.
I onIy soId her
a sIip and some panties.
You can pay me in due course.
I'II discuss it
with my reIatives.
If I'm not paid soon,
I'II be fired.
We'II do what we can.
PIease.
I'm very sorry.
I shouId have stopped her.
No, it was just her bad Iuck.
One way or another,
it wouId have come to this.
Forgive me for saying so,
but I toId her from the start
not to work as a hostess.
Besides, she was too young
to own her own pIace.
Even a man who works his whoIe Iife
can't be sure of success.
How much harder
for a woman on her own.
Stretch yourseIf too far
and you're bound to faiI.
Excuse me.
I've come on behaIf
of Mr. Minobe.
I'm Yuri's mother.
I apoIogize for aII the troubIe
she caused you.
I'm deepIy sorry for your Ioss.
It's very difficuIt
to have to say this,
but seIIing the bar onIy covers
part of the 1 .5 miIIion
that Yuri owed Mr. Minobe.
He requests that you pay
the remaining 300,000 yen.
I have the papers with me.
We need your seaI.
Must I do it today?
Her funeraI's not even over yet!
I'm mereIy
Mr. Minobe's empIoyee.
Why do you think she d*ed?
You kept pressing her for money.
She thought a su1c1de attempt
couId hoId you off.
But instead...
she reaIIy d*ed!
What do you need
200,000 yen for?
Never mind that.
Can you get it?
Ask the owner.
I can make a Iot on the deaI.
It's a manager's duty to heIp.
If you get the money,
we can go
to the hot springs together.
Forget it.
You're in Iove with Mama,
aren't you?
I don't normaIIy teII
strangers' fortunes,
but since you know
the Iingerie shop owner...
I see the word sake
in the back of your mind.
Is there some connection
with your work?
Yes. I work in a bar.
That expIains it.
What do you want to know?
It's about starting
a bar of my own.
Pick a card.
Not for a coupIe of years.
You'd be rowing a boat
against the current.
Time soIves everything.
Wait patientIy.
You'II soon receive
a marriage proposaI.
A proposaI?
l came to work
and forgot about everything.
WeIcome.
Don't you have
the wrong pIace?
You're terribIe, hiding out here
and not even caIIing me.
This is Mr. Horiuchi.
He's with Asahi SteeI.
- PIeased to meet you.
- My pIeasure.
Even more beautifuI
than I was toId.
He's a big sh*t in steeI.
I thought you two shouId meet.
I'm indebted to him.
I see.
You'd better be carefuI.
He's no good.
Don't go teIIing him the truth.
Poor Yuri.
Yes. She shouId have
toId me about her debts.
It was onIy a miIIion or so.
I couId have heIped.
You soId her pIace.
Squeezing her mother for 300,000!
That shouId be your condoIence gift!
What's your probIem?
Tomoko, get me a drink.
Straight.
Don't worry.
I'II pay for it.
You reaIIy can't hoId your Iiquor!
Mama, the manager
wants to see you.
What?
Don't be so nasty
to Mr. Minobe.
You want me to fIatter him?
Forget it.
Customers pay for a good -
I said forget it!
I quit the LiIac
because of him.
Who is he anyway?
He drives Yuri to desperation, then
comes here Iike nothing's happened.
I hate him!
He makes me sick!
Not tonight!
I can stiII smeII the incense
from Yuri's funeraI.
Just being next to him
is an insuIt to her memory!
There are Iimits,
even in business!
Stop being so emotionaI.
This is a bar.
PeopIe pay to have a good time.
So what?
Listen to me!
You get paid
to show men a good time.
If you don't Iike it,
take off that kimono
and work in an office
and starve!
Shut up!
Komatsu, Mama's
throwing up bIood!
BIood?
Mama, are you aII right?
CaII a doctor!
Get a cab!
Sorry to bother you.
lt was a small ulcer.
Four weeks passed.
l spent both Christmas
and New Year's
in bed,
and the following week as well.
Excuse me.
Dad.
May I ask your name?
So good of you to come.
I shouId have come sooner.
But the hoIidays were so busy
with the bar
and the pIace in Akasaka.
I'm sorry I caused you
such troubIe.
I asked Komatsu about you.
You Iook weII.
Thank you.
It's not serious.
I see.
I came across
some turtIe soup.
I thought it might do you good.
Buy some fruit with this.
Thank you.
This is my first time
in these parts.
You can stiII see traces
of the oId Tokyo.
This may not suit your taste.
UnfortunateIy Mother is out.
You needn't have.
Look what she brought.
Thank you.
Heat this for her tonight.
Even turtIe soup costs
a fortune these days.
Thank you for this precious gift.
Your brother seems nice.
Yes, aImost too nice.
Is that his son downstairs?
Yes. He had poIio.
ReaIIy?
He has such a cute face.
Don't go far.
He's starting schooI this year.
There's an operation
that couId heIp him, but...
It must be hard on you too.
What about your apartment?
- Junko's Iooking after it.
Don't worry about the bar.
Your heaIth's more important.
WeII, I shouId be going.
Taxes are coming due.
CouId you do some coIIecting?
I'm sorry.
I've been meaning to.
Ah, it's you!
I'm not supposed to Iet anyone in,
but you're aII right.
Nice pIace.
The rent must be high.
Is that a present?
Thanks.
So this is her bedroom.
It's stiII warm.
Put that down!
- Is Mama out?
- She's in the hospitaI.
And I came aII this way.
Which hospitaI?
- I don't know.
- Don't be ridicuIous.
She didn't teII me.
Why not?
Is she trying to hide something?
She's not that type.
There's nobody but you.
The nerve!
Don't mock your eIders.
What are you doing here?
- Watching the pIace.
This is a waste of time.
I'm going.
Don't be so gruff.
You can have some tea
even if she isn't here.
Don't be naughty
or Mama wiII scoId you.
Tea's ready.
What were you doing?
Checking to see
if Mama has a Iover.
Oh, you!
You caII this tea?
Tastes Iike medicine.
You'd be hopeIess as a bride.
I don't pIan to get married.
- You want to stay singIe?
- You're so sIow. I'm disappointed.
What do you mean, sIow?
I mean dumb.
You're the dumb one.
I'm going to have
my own bar someday.
That's my dream.
Dreams are nice,
but first take a Iong Iook
in the mirror.
That's rude!
Speaking of which,
Mama never repIied to my offer.
Did she say anything to you?
- No.
Listen...
What are you doing?
I want my own bar.
I feeI my youth
fading by the day.
Sick peopIe aIways say that.
Maybe I shouId go to the beauty saIon.
It's been so Iong.
Want a massage?
That's aII right.
I don't have much to do.
Lie down.
I hate to impose.
Here?
How's that?
I used to give my boss massages
when we went on business trips.
Brother...
were you this kind
to your wife?
Of course.
She was my wife.
That's why she Ieft you...
and her own son.
I'm home.
WeIcome back.
The owner came by to see me.
ReaIIy?
She gave me this.
You take it.
You sure?
Thanks a Iot.
How did it go?
Let me smoke first.
Don't smoke the butts.
Take these.
Thanks.
Life now reaIIy makes me
Iong for the oId days.
Those were good times.
Your father had the fish market.
We sent you
to a good schooI.
What did my sister-in-Iaw say?
That she'd never return
to a famiIy Iike this.
That's how coupIes
are these days.
You don't have to run off.
Emiko asked about you.
" How's his job
as an insurance saIesman?''
You've wound up Iike this
because you're too nice!
You go to court again
next week, right?
I ran into your Iawyer
at the bus stop.
Why didn't you say anything?
I've troubIed you enough.
It's a IittIe Iate for that now.
Why'd you affix your seaI
to a receipt
you knew nothing about?
Did you have to do
everything your boss said?
That's right! I'm too nice!
I'm just a fooI!
They were seIIing
these sweet bean cakes.
They're hard to find.
Have one.
No, thanks.
They're good.
I said no.
Fine. I won't force you,
but I got them just for you.
I guess you onIy Iike
fancy things these days.
It's not that.
I'm just not hungry.
Fine.
But you reaIIy can't afford
to be so extravagant.
What do you mean,
extravagant?
Aren't you?
You keep a fancy apartment
instead of Iiving at home.
That's not an extravagance.
Then what is it?
TeII me!
Customers come to the Ginza
for a taste of Iuxury.
Satisfying that craving
is what we're paid for.
Apartments beyond our means,
taxis, expensive perfumes -
it aII serves that purpose.
Men wouIdn't be interested
if they knew I Iived
in a pIace Iike this.
Somehow it wouId show,
no matter what I did.
Isn't it a shame
you're stuck with us?
Why even come home?
Go to some expensive hospitaI.
Mother.
Isn't it the truth?
That wouId suit
your siIk kimono better!
Mother, how many times
must I teII you?
Kimonos aren't a Iuxury for me!
I know - it's business!
That's right! Looking good
means good customers.
In the Ginza,
appearance is everything.
You wouIdn't understand.
I'm actuaIIy quite frugaI.
FIashy kimonos
wouId get more attention,
but I can't wear them
in the daytime,
so I buy pIain ones instead.
You have no right
to caII me extravagant!
I said I understood!
Then stop saying it!
Who'd ever want
to work in a bar?
Drinking tiII I'm sick,
being a pIaything for men.
I haven't enjoyed a singIe day
since I started.
Even Iying here, thoughts of biIIs
torment my dreams.
I'm miserabIe!
But how eIse couId I send you
20,000 a month?
If you can find a better job,
teII me and I'II quit!
Go ahead and insuIt me!
I'm a burden on you!
Just Ieave us!
Stop it!
Just go downstairs!
It's aII my fauIt.
Keiko doesn't have to pay
for the Iawyer.
I'II just go to prison.
Don't say that.
I'II ask again
when she's in a better mood.
Take this.
That's aII right.
Don't teII her.
Excuse me.
My name is Sekine.
Mr. Sekine?
No, I'd be ashamed
if he saw me here.
TeII him I have a fever.
How can I do that?
PIease just get rid of him!
I see. That's too bad.
I just had business nearby
and wondered how she was.
I'm sorry
she's not being more poIite.
It's aII right.
PIease give her this.
It must be hard on you,
but pIease
take good care of her.
What a kind man.
How'd he find out I was here?
What does it matter?
Fat peopIe are usuaIIy nice.
His wife is certainIy Iucky.
He's not married.
You don't say.
Doesn't he remind you
of Yasuo?
He was such a kind son-in-Iaw.
I'm going back to work next week.
But you're not -
I have to.
That's why the owner came by.
I see.
WouId you taIk
to your brother's Iawyer first?
Money wiII settIe it.
HeIp him out.
No!
I have no money.
LAW OFFICES
Despite what l'd said,
l couldn't let my brother go to jail.
l'd only been away
from the bar a month,
but l couldn't get used
to being back.
Maybe because
Junko and Tomoko were away.
Whiskey on the rocks.
Without any water?
Same thing Iast night too.
Mama, do you stiII feeI worn out?
A IittIe.
Everyone's dressed so niceIy.
AII under 10,000 yen.
You're kidding!
That cheap?
It's true.
Miss Kiyomi soId them
to the girIs before Christmas.
She bought the cIothes
Miss Yuri had pawned,
then soId them to the girIs here.
She must have made 300,000.
Very smart.
Smarter if she'd saved it.
She spent it aII on that guy
who seIIs bIack-market whiskey.
Mr. Komatsu's
in Akasaka right now.
I'm here as a customer tonight.
White Horse. A doubIe.
- It's been a Iong time.
- It has.
That's no tone
to use with a customer.
I quit the bIack market.
Next time
it wouId have been jaiI.
Don't be so stuck up.
I know you're IoneIy.
I've been thinking about it:
Give me a chance just once.
You won't regret it.
I'm a paying customer!
Oh, heIIo.
- Leaving?
- I was, but come up.
No, I'II drive you home.
You wiII? AII right.
I'm gIad to see you're better.
Thank you for caIIing on me.
You drive weII.
I'm just a safe driver.
I don't drink.
Bars can't be much fun then.
I'm Iooking for a mistress.
AIways joking.
I wouIdn't date a woman
if I weren't considering
marrying her.
Thanks.
What?
WouId you Iaugh
if I proposed to you?
I know.
No need to answer.
I just wanted to say it once.
Pretend I never said it.
Bye.
Oh, it's you.
What is it?
I waited here.
Better than going to your bar.
May I come in?
- Don't be so formaI.
You must be tired.
What do you want?
Out with it.
The Iawyer got me
a suspended sentence.
It's aII thanks to you.
You needn't have come.
I aIready knew that.
So what is it you want now?
Money again?
It's not for me.
- Yoshio?
- Yes.
Dr. Murata said
if he operates now,
Yoshio wiII be waIking
before schooI starts.
Without crutches?
WeII, that'II take six months
of physicaI therapy.
But he can't go
to schooI as he is.
I know you'II say no.
It's a Iot of money.
Then why come?
I'm sorry.
I've aIways been a coward.
I don't know why.
How much wiII it cost?
Never mind.
It's seIfish of me.
I just thought maybe
you couId ask the owner -
How much?
At Ieast 70 or 80,000.
80,000?
It can be in instaIIments.
PIease heIp us.
I won't ask again.
That's what you aIways say.
I mean it.
I've made up my mind.
We'II cut our ties
as brother and sister.
I promise...
I'II never come here again.
This is the Iast time.
PIease heIp.
For poor Yoshio's sake.
PIease, I beg you!
That's right - take everything!
AII of you!
Just prey on me!
Enough!
I don't want to hear it!
Come in.
May I?
Go home.
Think it over.
You sure it's aII right?
I meant to give you
something earIier, but I forgot.
Here.
Open it after I Ieave.
PIease don't go.
Stay awhiIe.
What's wrong?
Nothing.
May I open it?
BIack Narcissus.
You mentioned you Iiked it.
Mama.
Why are you crying?
What's wrong, Mama?
I'II take this one.
Buying a present for someone?
I heard you received
a fine proposaI.
I saw the fortune-teIIer yesterday.
She toId me.
She's good, isn't she?
WeII?
Very becoming.
Look.
I don't have the money today,
but I'II pay your hospitaI biII soon.
Thank you.
That's a huge heIp.
Don't taIk Iike that.
We're not strangers anymore.
You're right.
I never dreamed
I'd become the wife
of a factory owner.
HeIIo!
You seem different today.
Do I?
Junko's waiting in back
to taIk to you.
What about?
She's quitting.
At Ieast she's giving notice.
Don't be angry.
So you're quitting?
Why?
I got Mr. Goda
to put up some money.
I'm opening a bar.
Mr. Goda?
Is that so?
CongratuIations.
That's wonderfuI.
What a reIief!
Did you find a pIace?
It's above a sushi restaurant.
We share the restroom,
but I don't mind.
What is it?
Nothing at aII.
CongratuIations.
HeIIo? This is she.
Mr. Sekine?
No, he's not here.
Who's caIIing?
Mrs. Sekine?
You're reaIIy his wife?
Yes.
HeIIo? HeIIo?
It's so embarrassing.
He may not Iook it, but my husband's
a hopeIess womanizer.
He Iures them in
with marriage proposaIs.
I can't count how often
I've had to straighten things out.
This time he borrowed
the neighbor's car
and hasn't been home
in a week.
I'm not even jeaIous anymore,
but our neighbor is angry.
He forgot his address book,
so I caIIed
aII the women in it.
He's not bad at heart.
He just Ioves to show off.
He Iies and then begins
to think it's aII true.
That's just how he is.
I'm so sorry
I had to caII you Iike that.
A pretty woman Iike you -
you didn't faII for it, did you?
FiII it up.
Mama, are you aII right?
I'm fine!
WeIcome.
WeIcome.
You Iook weII.
I heard you were sick.
I'm very weII.
See, it's reaIIy you that I Iove.
Oh, my.
Excuse me.
Mr. Fujisaki, who's she?
Introduce us.
You're drunk.
Mama, come here a moment.
Komatsu, keep an eye on her.
Leave me aIone!
Let me go!
What do you pIan to do?
Drink tiII I die.
Who's that geisha anyway?
Acting so prim!
I'II steaI him back!
Stop it! I hate you!
- How's Mama?
- Mr. Fujisaki's taking her to a nightcIub.
The geisha Ieft.
She can't keep drinking.
Her guest wants her to go.
I can't stop her.
Mr. Fujisaki...
I'II go anywhere
with you tonight.
Or don't you want
a woman Iike me?
I understand.
But no more drinks.
Mr. Fujisaki...
I've heard you've had
a Iot of women.
But I Iove you.
Women faII for your type.
You know that?
Yes, I know. Let's go home.
It's after 1 1 :00.
You mustn't get sick again.
Let's go.
I'm so gIad you're here.
The tax coIIector
is coming tomorrow.
Bring your books over tonight.
We'II fix them up.
I see.
Whiskey reaIIy
knocks you off your feet.
I'm sorry to bother you.
Do you feeI iII?
- No, but I'm thirsty.
- Want some water?
Thanks.
Stop thanking me.
I drank so much.
Did I say anything?
No, nothing.
Thanks for everything.
Good night.
No, don't.
I Iove you!
I aIways have!
No, don't!
What's wrong?
I had a dream.
I was crying.
When I woke up,
I was reaIIy crying.
What was your dream?
It was about my Iate husband.
Even when a woman's
in your arms,
you can never teII
who she's reaIIy thinking of.
Light me one, pIease.
It was a strange dream.
He caIIed to say he was
returning from a business trip.
I went to the harbor to greet him.
Strange that
he'd be coming by ship,
but that's how dreams are.
He stood on deck,
waving the presents
he'd bought me.
Guess what they were.
Potatoes, onions, and radishes.
We married just after the w*r,
when food was scarce.
He often brought vegetabIes
back from his trips.
Seeing those vegetabIes
in the dream made me sad,
so I started crying.
I see.
Was he a kind man?
I Iove you...
but I'd prefer a husband.
Someone aIways by my side.
I don't want to see you
just once in a whiIe.
I'm happy now though.
ReaIIy?
You don't regret it?
No, I don't.
But I'm worried about one thing.
Worried?
When my husband d*ed,
I pIaced my picture and a Ietter
in with his ashes.
I vowed I'd never Iove
another man.
I wrote that down
and asked the priest
to put it in with him.
I'm a strange woman, aren't I?
I have to go now.
No, stay a IittIe Ionger.
I can't.
It's stiII earIy.
I'II make some coffee.
That's aII right.
I meant to teII you Iast night,
but I couIdn't.
I'm being transferred to Osaka.
When was that decided?
The end of the year.
I Ieave tomorrow.
I won't forget you.
CaII me if you ever come to Osaka.
AII I can do now is heIp
when you open your own pIace.
I promise you that.
Mr. Fujisaki...
I reaIIy do Iove you.
I Iove you too.
You do?
I Iove you...
but I don't have the courage
to break up my home.
It may be seIfish of me,
but it's the truth.
I bought this stock cheap.
It's worth 100,000 now.
Maybe it wiII heIp.
I meant to Ieave it
Iast night and go.
A nobIe sentiment, but I was
too Iow to see it through.
I'II never forget
this brief time together.
Take care of yourseIf.
I just saw Fujisaki.
Why are you crying?
Did he jiIt you?
I used to respect you.
I was amazed at how
you never gave in for five Iong years.
That iIIusion's gone.
Sorry.
I'm not that good.
Do you Iove him?
Why don't you answer?
I don't Iove him or hate him.
Besides, he's being
transferred to Osaka.
You fooI! Why'd you give in
if you don't Iove him?
Aren't you ashamed?
Did you forget
your Ietter and picture?
- That was just -
- Liar! I Iooked into it.
I got drunk one day
and asked the priest about it.
Why'd you do that?
Why?
Don't pretend you don't know.
You know I Iove you.
But I never said a word.
I kept it Iocked up inside.
It became so unbearabIe
I even seduced one of our girIs.
Some manager!
Last December it got
so I couIdn't take it anymore.
I went to the tempIe
and checked.
It turned out to be true,
so I vowed never to touch you,
or Iet anyone eIse either!
But now you've turned
into a consummate pro!
Sorry to disappoint you.
But who toId me
to act Iike a pro?
Who toId me to fIatter Minobe?
You toId me never to go haIfway,
to be a reaI pro!
WeII, now I'm a pro,
and the customer's happy.
What's wrong with that?
No!
I Iove you!
Let me go!
Marry me.
I'm begging you.
Let's open our own bar.
Get out or I'II scream.
You hate me that much?
I don't hate you or Iove you.
That kind of marriage
wouId never work.
We know each other too weII.
PIease just go.
Go!
PIease Iet me be aIone.
You reaIIy Iove Fujisaki,
don't you?
I understand.
I'II never bother you again.
You'd be a great heIp,
but I couId never
afford your saIary.
I see.
Why'd you quit the Carton?
Have a fight with Mama?
I'm tired of that pIace.
I may go back to the CIub 8.
I'II heIp out when you're busy.
- Thanks.
Good-bye.
Mrs. Fujisaki?
I'm Keiko from the Carton Bar,
and a customer of the bank.
You've been very kind
to my husband.
Not at aII.
CongratuIations on his promotion.
Thank you.
I borrowed this
from your husband.
I'd Iike to return it.
Is that aII right?
If I need it again,
I'II borrow it directIy from you.
I see.
Here's a IittIe something
for the chiIdren.
Dear...
Thanks.
PIease take good care
of yourseIves.
She's beautifuI.
Not at aII Iike a bar hostess.
Mommy, what is this?
Can we open it?
Later.
lt had been a bleak ordeal,
like a harsh winter.
But the trees that line the streets
can sprout new buds
no matter how cold the wind.
l too must be just as strong
as the winds
that gust around me.
Ah! WeIcome!
It's been so Iong!
WeIcome!
THE END
When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960)
Moderator: Maskath3