An Autumn Afternoon AKA The Widower (Sanma no aji) (秋刀魚の味)

OFFICIAL ENTRY 1962 FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

A SHOCHIKU FILM

AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON

Screenplay by KOGO NODA and YASUJIRO OZU

Produced by SHIZUO YAMANOUCHI Cinematography by YUHARU ATSUTA

Art Directors TATSUO HAMADA and SHIGEO OGIWARA

Music Coordinator TAKANOBU SAITO

Sound Editor ICHIRO ISHII

Assistant Director KOZO TASH I FRO

Starring

CHISHU RYU

SHIMA IWASHITA

KEIJI SADA

MARIKO OKADA

TERUO YOSHIDA

NORIKO MAKI SHINICHIRO MIKAMI

NOBUO NAKAMURA EIJIRO TONO

KUNIKO MIYAKE KYOKO KISHIDA

MICHIYO TAMAKI RYUJI KITA

TOYO TAKAHASHI SHINOBU ASAJI, MASAO ODA

DAISUKE KATO HARUKO SUGIMURA

Directed by YASUJIRO OZU

Take these to the director when you get a chance.

Thanks. - Not at all.

What's going on with Miss Taguchi? This is her second day out.

I heard she's getting married.

Really? So she'll be quitting?

I don't know.

Good for her. How old is she?

Around 23 or 24.

Is that so?

What does your husband do?

- I'm not married yet. - No?

It's just me and my father.

I see. Well, it'll be your turn soon.

I hope you find a good husband.

Hey there.

What is it?

I just happened to be in Yokohama.

I see. Was your wife angry the other day?

Not at all. She was amused.

- Sake makes me too honest. - You and me both.

Tell me, how old is Michiko now?

She's 24. Why?

I've found a good prospect. Interested?

- A prospect? - For marriage.

My wife found him. She's quite impressed.

Fresh out of medical school. He's an intern there now.

About 29, I think she said. What do you say?

Marriage, huh?

You have other offers?

No. I just haven't given it any thought.

Haven't given it any thought?

She's not ready yet.

She's just a child, naive about the opposite sex.

No, she isn't. She's more than ready.

You think so?

Absolutely. Marry her off. She'll be fine.

Think so?

Oh, Horie called earlier. He wants to talk about the reunion.

When?

Tonight. He probably called you too.

He's a real fireball since taking that young wife.

Maybe he's popping some pills.

You could be right.

Well, think about what I said about Michiko.

All right. So will you come tonight?

No, I'm here to see the Whales play the Tigers.

It's a doubleheader.

Go some other night.

I'm not missing a crucial game just to see Horie.

Don't talk like that. Come on.

- Not tonight. - Come on!

No, not tonight.

It's the bottom of the fourth inning.

The Whales' cleanup batter, 3rd baseman Kuwata, is at bat.

Bottom of the fourth. Kuwata is at bat.

With his leg injury healed, he's in top form.

He sent a grounder to short his first time up.

He glances at coach Mihara for the signal.

He's out to nail that ball.

Buckey's on the mound, Tanigawa's behind the plate.

A fastball from Buckey. It's a strike.

Low in the strike zone. One strike, no balls.

New signal for the next pitch.

Ifs a ball, and ifs now 1 and 1.

Kuwata waits for the pitch.

Too high. The count is 1 and 2.

Did they score a run?

So where'd Sugai run into him?

On the train.

He saw a strange old man reading a discarded newspaper.

He looked familiar. Then Sugai realized it was "the Gourd"!

He must be pretty old by now.

I thought he'd died long ago.

No, his kind never die.

Right? Not even if you try to kill them.

You still bitter?

He browbeat you with the Chinese classics.

He was a rat. Why have a party for him?

For the hell of it.

If he's coming, I'm not.

What? The reunion's in his honor.

It won't be fun without you. Come on.

Come on.

Absolutely not.

Who's ahead?

No change. Tied 0-0.

More hot sake.

This one's empty.

Professor Horie, your wife is late.

- Your wife's coming? - Yes.

- She is? - That's right.

She's visiting friends now, but she'll be here.

Such a lovely young wife.

So she goes with you everywhere these days?

More or less.

- You taking anything? - What?

You know.

I don't need that yet.

It's not necessary.

What about you, ma'am?

- What? - You know.

Do you give your husband pills to... you know...

Well, I never!

I'll heat some more sake.

More?

Just between us...

What?

I'm serious now.

I won't shout it from the rooftops, but it's pretty nice.

What is?

Having a young wife. It works out quite nicely.

Listen to you!

No, I'm serious. It's true.

How old is she?

Three years older than my daughter. What of it?

Lucky bastard.

That's right, and it's great.

Why don't you try it? Start a new life.

Is it that great?

Forget it.

Just stay as you are and marry off your daughter.

But in all seriousness -

We get it. Spare us any more.

Just between us -

Professor Horie, your wife is here.

Really?

Come in.

Well? Did you see your friends?

Come join us. - Please do.

Welcome.

Sorry I haven't been in touch.

Not at all. How have you been?

- Please join us. - Yes, do.

Did you finish your shopping?

Then come join us.

I really ought to...

You're going home? Did you get my medicine?

I'll take some now. - What's it for?

It's vitamins.

Why not take them at home?

I guess I will. Shall we be leaving?

Sorry, but...

What about the reunion?

I'll leave it to you two.

You decide what's best.

Please excuse us.

Take care.

You know, I missed the game to come here.

It's just a game.

Aren't you eating?

I'll eat at home.

Well, good night.

I'll listen meekly to any complaints later.

Look what's become of him.

What a fool.

I wouldn't want to wind up like that.

No, sirree...

- Can I lock up? - Yes.

- Welcome home. - Thanks.

- You smell of sake again. - I didn't have much.

I wonder.

Father, did you run into Koichi?

- Was he here? - He just left.

What did he want?

Nothing special.

But he brought doughnuts. There's one left.

I see.

Welcome home.

- Care for a bite to eat? - I'm fine.

Then I'll have the last doughnut.

Mrs. Tomizawa won't be coming anymore.

How come?

Her sister-in-law died. She's moving back home.

I see. Did you find a replacement?

She asked around but couldn't find anyone.

That's a bother.

We'll manage if we all get up early. You too, Kazu.

Not me. I'm off tomorrow.