Dodes'ka-den Quotes

Beggar: Our house ought to be built on a hill. We Japanese used to build houses in valleys and mountain coves. We've always preferred the lowlands.

Beggar's Son: That's true. I saw pictures of foreign countries. They have their houses in high places, but ours are in low places.

Beggar: There's a reason for that. There are many earthquakes and typhoons in Japan. Wooden houses in high places are easily shaken by earthquakes and typhoons. So they chose the lowlands to avoid the danger. But that's not the only reason.

Beggar: [continues] The Japanese prefer soft light to bright sunshine. We like shady places. We like to live in the midst of nature. So we couldn't get used to concrete houses.

Beggar's Son: That's right. I don't like concrete houses either. They're too cold for me.

Beggar: But we shouldn't forget one thing. It's true that wooden houses suit the Japanese people. But we mustn't cling to our culture and characteristics if we become weak and lose endurance as a result. By living in houses made of stone, iron, and concrete, foreigners have strengthened their characters and capabilities. Now we're building our own house. We must take our future into consideration. We must think of you, your children, and your grandchildren.

Beggar's Son: Yes, that's true.

Beggar: I've been thinking all evening about the house we're building... Looks like you're sleepy?

Beggar's Son: No, I'm not sleepy. I'm listening.

Beggar: The gate comes first. The gate is the face of a house. The face shows the character.

Beggar's Son: Mm hmm. That's right.

Beggar: Since we're building a house on a hill, it must be in a European style. How about rococo? Or Spanish style? British style isn't bad either... They're a bit showy. It should be neither too fancy nor too imposing. I want a gate both plain and inviting.

Beggar: We forgot about the swimming pool. Let's make one.

Beggar's Son: Oh, yes, let's.

Beggar: One you'd like. I'm glad you're talking. Everything will be all right. The worst is finally over. Children are really very strong.

Beggar: [continues] A swimming pool is good. It'll be in the lawn. White tiles in the middle of evergreens. Still, filling and draining it will be hard. The place is on a hill. We'll need a huge water tank in case of water shortages. And the drainage problem... To drain a pool full of water, a small drainpipe won't do. But don't worry, we'll make it. This is all your idea, and the pool will be good for your health.

Suicidal Old Man: [Haltingly, opening up to Mr. Tanba, who patiently listens to him] I'm fed up with everything now... Life is nothing but pain to me. When I get up in the morning and get ready for breakfast... thinking I have to do everything all over again, I just lose my strength. Food doesn't taste good. I lose my appetite.

Suicidal Old Man: [continues, as Mr. Tanba listens silently] When I go to the public bath, I'm disgusted to see myself in the mirror. Naked, I look really disgusting and filthy. I can't stand myself. At this point... the only thing I want... is to die quickly. I want to disappear from this world.

Mr. Tanba: [Mr. Tanba gets up and starts rummaging for some items, and prepares a powder which he gives to the man] This powder is used in engraving. It's a very strong poison, not sold to the public. You'll die without pain an hour after taking it. If you really want to die, take it.

Suicidal Old Man: [the suicidal man eagerly takes the powder and pours all of it in his mouth, then drinks it down with water] Thank you. It's very kind of you. Goodbye.

Yukichi Shima: [speaking to his three guests] Let me ask you a question. Have you ever found a way to get rice from a rice store? I don't mean borrowing, I mean taking it right in front of their eyes.

Yukichi Shima: [continues] You take a big pot and get it all wet on the inside, and have it filled at the rice store. Try to get it on credit and they'll refuse. You throw the rice out, but the pot is wet. So some rice remains stuck to the sides. If you repeat that three times, you'll get enough for a meal. Eh? Great, isn't it?

Taro Sawagami: Father...

Ryotaro Sawagami: What is it?

Taro Sawagami: Is it true we aren't your children?

Ryotaro Sawagami: Think for yourself. Do you think you aren't? I know every one of you is mine. So, you're all dear to me. But if you don't love me, and if you don't think I'm your dad, then I am not. Right?

Taro Sawagami: But people have always said that we aren't your kids, that our fathers are all different. And they didn't just tell me, but also Jiro, Hanako and Shiro.

Ryotaro Sawagami: People say what they want. You can't stop them from saying all kinds of things. Right? No one can really tell whose child is whose. If you believe someone is your dad, then you are his son. If someone says you aren't my kids, then you ask him about his own father. I'll bet he can't answer. After all, it's either you believe me, or you believe the others.

Ryotaro Sawagami: [looks at the kids] Who do you believe?

Taro Sawagami: You, father.

[all the kids raise their hands and shout in agreement]

Ochô: [pondering the bare stalk of a dead tree outside Hei's hovel] What kind of tree is this?

Ochô: [lightly touches the dead tree trunk] It's no longer a tree when it's dead.

Okabe: [referring to the fact that previously, she had stabbed him with a kitchen knife] I don't understand. Why did you do that to me? Why?

Katsuko Watanaka: [she looks away] I wanted... to kill myself.

Okabe: You mean suicide?

[she nods yes]

Okabe: But, why did you have to do that to me, then?

Katsuko Watanaka: I don't know how to say this right. I don't exactly remember... what it was like. Only, when I thought of killing myself, I was afraid you would forget me. I thought... you would forget me soon after I died. I was so scared. So scared. I couldn't stand it.

Okabe: I had no idea... Let's go eat something!

Katsuko Watanaka: I'm not hungry now.

Okabe: Well, then, some other time!

[cheerfully hops on his delivery bike and rides off]

Katsuko Watanaka: [watches after him with a sad face] I'm sorry, Mr. Okabe.

[first lines]

Roku-chan: I know I often ask this, but please listen to me, dear Buddha. Please make my mother smarter.

Mr. Tanba: How's the streetcar today?

Roku-chan: Not so good, not so bad. How is business?

Mr. Tanba: Just so-so.

Tatsu Masuda: Don't get drunk again. Come straight home tonight.

Masuo Masuda: Shut up. You're the one driving me to drink.

1st Man Calling Out: Hey, who got you pregnant this time?

[Misao pushes him out of the way]

2nd Man calling out: There's my Umeko. I hear you're with a new young guy. You've gotten prettier.

3rd Man calling out: Hey, we haven't done it for a long time. Take a break from the young guys and let me have a little.

[Misao slaps him in the crotch]

4th Man calling out: Too good for us? Why not have a good time with me again?

5th Man Calling Out: How are the children? Are they well?

[Misao elbows him in the stomach]

1st Wife: He must have been handsome when he was young.

2nd Wife: He still is.

3rd Wife: Someone went over to see him one night.

Good-Looking Housewife: "Someone"? Trying to take a dig at me?

4th Wife: What makes you think that?

5th Wife: Well, did you go all the way?

4th Wife: You always brag about getting what you want. Something must have happened.

Good-Looking Housewife: Once I made up my mind that I wanted him, I washed myself with a real perfumed soap at the public bath and I went over to his place.

Masuo Masuda: I can't stand my damn wife anymore. I feel like I'm some kind of dog all tied up.

Hatsutaro Kawaguchi: I don't really understand, but that can't feel good, can it?

Masuo Masuda: Of course not. It's just like having a bucketful of sand poured over your head while you're eating.

Hatsutaro Kawaguchi: Husbands have to work hard enough outside. It's only natural they want their wives to be nice to them.

Masuo Masuda: But my wife isn't like that. She's like a nail digging into a cavity in my tooth.

Hatsutaro Kawaguchi: Women are really impossible.

Masuo Masuda: Yeah.

Hatsutaro Kawaguchi: They have too much free time. They enjoy turning a little thing into something huge.

Yoshie Kawaguchi: I'll have some. Pour me some.

Masuo Masuda: You want some sake?

[pours some missing the cup]

Masuo Masuda: My hands must be drunk, too.

Yoshie Kawaguchi: You're spilling it all over.

Masuo Masuda: You're Hatsu's Yoshie, aren't you? This is a big surprise. I feel sort of funny. Strange. My heart isn't beating at all.

Yoshie Kawaguchi: Let me see. It's thumping all right. It's moving my hand.

Masuo Masuda: Oh, is it? How is your heart?

Yoshie Kawaguchi: Feel for yourself.

Masuo Masuda: May I? It takes too long this way. The hell with your heart.

Yoshie Kawaguchi: Hold on a minute. Not so rough. Wait.

Masuo Masuda: Am I rough?

Yoshie Kawaguchi: What's the matter? Don't go to sleep there.

1st Wife: Those two and their husbands - I can't believe it!

2nd Wife: They've swapped husbands!

1st Wife: Of course everyone has her secret affair.

2nd Wife: No one's putting that down. But they're too open about it.

3rd Wife: They still get along with each other.

4th Wife: Their husbands too.

Suicidal Old Man: I used to run a kimono shop. I had a wife and two sons. I had five employees and a servant. I even had two mistresses and lived in luxury. But, after my sons were called up for military service and were killed at the China Front, I lost interest in business. My wife fell sick and died six months later. My house was burnt during an air raid and I lost everything. I had to let my mistresses go. I earned my living by peddling toys. Still, my dead wife and sons appear in my dreams and talk to me every night. They laugh and talk as if they were alive.

Mr. Tanba: You must be happy during those times.

Suicidal Old Man: Yes, I am.

Mr. Tanba: You feel that happiness because you live your life. In other words, they are alive as long as you are alive. Is it all right to kill them by killing yourself?

Good-Looking Housewife: Don't be fooled by her looks. I once knew a woman who looked just like her. Women like that are extraordinarily sensual.

[brushes the dust off her bottom]

Good-Looking Housewife: They don't lose interest in sex no matter how old they are.

Otane Watanaka: So which is it? Does she keep or get rid of the baby?

Kyota Watanaka: She's too young. What about our reputation? She should take medical measures than ethical measures now.

Tatsu Masuda: You had the devil killer, didn't you?

Masuo Masuda: So what? What's wrong with that? Give me some water.

Tatsu Masuda: Don't ask too much.

Masuo Masuda: Why don't you mind your husband for once? Water!