The Only Son (1936 film)
Encyclopedia
is a 1936 film directed by Yasujiro Ozu
, starring Chouko Iida and Shinichi Himori. The film was Ozu's first "talkie" (sound film) feature.
, Tsune (O-Tsune) Nonomiya (Chouko Iida), works hard at a silk
production factory to provide for her only son, Ryosuke. When Ryosuke's teacher Ookubo (Chishu Ryu
) persuades her to let her son continue to study beyond elementary school
, she decides to support her son's education even until college
. Her son promises to become a great man.
Thirteen years later, in 1936, O-Tsune, now in her sixties, visits Ryosuke (Shinichi Himori), who is twenty-eight, in Tokyo
. She learns that her son, now a night school teacher, has married and even has a one-year-old son. Her daughter-in-law Sugiko is nice and obliging, but Ryosuke's job does not pay much. Ryosuke and O-Tsune visit Ookubo, who is now a father of four and running an eating house selling cutlets.
The couple keeps the mother entertained but their money is running out. On a trip to an industrial district one day, Ryosuke confides in the mother that he wish that he had never come to Tokyo, and that he is a disappointment to his mother. He later states that Tokyo is not a place where one can succeed easily. O-Tsune chides her son for giving up, telling him she has nothing now left, neither land nor house, and she only wants him to succeed.
Sugiko sells her kimono
and raises enough money for the whole family to go out to enjoy themselves. However Tomibo (Tomio Aoki
), a neighbor's son, gets injured by a horse and Ryosuke rushes him to the hospital. There he gives their money to Tomibo's mother for her to foot the hospital bill. O-Tsune sees all this, and later tells Ryosuke he has done her proud for his selfless act.
O-Tsune eventually returns to Shinshu, but not before giving the couple some money for her grandson. Ryosuke promises his wife he will obtain a teaching certificate. Back at Shinshu, O-Tsune tells her friend at the factory her son has become a "great man". But as she retires to the back of the factory after work, her face breaks into an expression of deep grief and pain.
Yasujiro Ozu
was a prominent Japanese film director and script writer. He is known for his distinctive technical style, developed during the silent era. Marriage and family, especially the relationships between the generations, are among the most persistent themes in his body of work...
, starring Chouko Iida and Shinichi Himori. The film was Ozu's first "talkie" (sound film) feature.
Plot
The film starts in the rural town of Shinshū in 1923. A widowWidow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
, Tsune (O-Tsune) Nonomiya (Chouko Iida), works hard at a silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
production factory to provide for her only son, Ryosuke. When Ryosuke's teacher Ookubo (Chishu Ryu
Chishu Ryu
was a famous Japanese film actor, a favourite of the director Yasujiro Ozu. From 1928 to 1992 he appeared in at least 155 films, including Ozu's Tokyo Story and Yoshitaro Nomura's Castle of Sand...
) persuades her to let her son continue to study beyond elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
, she decides to support her son's education even until college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
. Her son promises to become a great man.
Thirteen years later, in 1936, O-Tsune, now in her sixties, visits Ryosuke (Shinichi Himori), who is twenty-eight, in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
. She learns that her son, now a night school teacher, has married and even has a one-year-old son. Her daughter-in-law Sugiko is nice and obliging, but Ryosuke's job does not pay much. Ryosuke and O-Tsune visit Ookubo, who is now a father of four and running an eating house selling cutlets.
The couple keeps the mother entertained but their money is running out. On a trip to an industrial district one day, Ryosuke confides in the mother that he wish that he had never come to Tokyo, and that he is a disappointment to his mother. He later states that Tokyo is not a place where one can succeed easily. O-Tsune chides her son for giving up, telling him she has nothing now left, neither land nor house, and she only wants him to succeed.
Sugiko sells her kimono
Kimono
The is a Japanese traditional garment worn by men, women and children. The word "kimono", which literally means a "thing to wear" , has come to denote these full-length robes...
and raises enough money for the whole family to go out to enjoy themselves. However Tomibo (Tomio Aoki
Tomio Aoki
aka was a Japanese film actor.Aoki became famous as a child actor after debuting at the age of six in silent films directed by Yasujirō Ozu. His leading role in Ozu's 1929 short comedy Tokkan kozo gave Aoki his nickname. I Was Born, But... , Passing Fancy and An Inn in Tokyo were three other Ozu...
), a neighbor's son, gets injured by a horse and Ryosuke rushes him to the hospital. There he gives their money to Tomibo's mother for her to foot the hospital bill. O-Tsune sees all this, and later tells Ryosuke he has done her proud for his selfless act.
O-Tsune eventually returns to Shinshu, but not before giving the couple some money for her grandson. Ryosuke promises his wife he will obtain a teaching certificate. Back at Shinshu, O-Tsune tells her friend at the factory her son has become a "great man". But as she retires to the back of the factory after work, her face breaks into an expression of deep grief and pain.