Kwaidan Page #2

Mosaku and Minokichi.

Mosaku was an old man

and Minokichi. his apprentice.

was a boy of eighteen.

Everyday. they went to a forest

a few miles away

from the village.

One cold day. a great snowstorm

overtook them on their way home.

The boatman had left his boat

on the other side of the river.

It was no day for swimming.

I intended to treat you like

the other man.

But I couldn't help feeling pity

for you

because you're so young.

You're a handsome boy.

I will not hurt you now.

But if you ever tell anybody -

even your own mother

about what you've seen tonight,

I'll know it.

And then I'll kill you.

Remember that.

Understand?

I'll be going now.

We sell wood for a living.

You can't work for some time,

not before spring.

The terrible cold night

made you ill.

Eat the porridge.

Take care of yourself, son.

Or you'll be frozen

and dead like that old Mosaku

whose blood was all gone.

If this happens to you again,

you won't survive.

Are you listening?

You've said nothing

about that night.

A year passed.

As soon as he got well.

he resumed working.

Every morning. he went

to the forest alone

and returned with bundles

of wood after sunset.

Where are you going

in the evening?

Edo.

Now?

Yes.

I lost my parents.

My relatives in Edo might help me

find work as a servant.

Brothers?

None?

You'd need connections

to find work in Edo.

Is it so hard to get work

when you don't know anyone?

You could get married...

With you?

Come!

That's my house.

Why don't you take a rest?

There's nobody you have to mind.

But...

Only my mother and I live there.

Come!

Your name is Yuki?

I see, I see.

Going to Edo alone

sounds very dangerous.

People are not always kind.

Young girls must be careful

not to be bothered by bad men.

Come eat while it's hot.

And Yuki bore him

three children.

handsome and very fair of skin.

She acquired a fame for being a

good wife among the villagers.

T ake a moment to reflect

on Grandma's grave.

Show her you've grown up.

Give her your flowers.

It seems she never gets old.

Really.

She's as young today as on the day

she first came into the village.

She's a wonder.

Were you at the grave?

Yes. It's my mother-in-law's

memorial day.

That's good.

She must be pleased to see her

nice grandchildren

praying for her.

She's happy.

She died praising

her son's wife.

It's not very common.

No.

Usually, a mother-in-law talks ill

of her son's wife.

No matter how good the wife is.

That's not true.

Thanks to you, I'm happy.

What a happy couple,

you and your husband!

He must be happy.

He has such a good and beautiful

woman for a wife.

Naturally.

What a young wife!

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes