The Ballad of Narayama (1983)

Mitsuko Baishô: Oei

Quotes 

• Orin : Risuke found out you ostracized him, and now he hardly works. I know you're repelled by his stink, but please, can't you bear it for just one night?

  Oei : I'm sorry... anybody but him. I'd die.

  Orin : But it was your husband's last wish. Or did it exclude Risuke?

  Oei : Early this morning I went to his grave. I pleaded with my husband to let me skip that stinking yakko. And then a butterfly, this big, came flying by. And it's autumn.

  Orin : Your husband became a butterfly?

  Oei : That's right. He was frolicking about, and seemed happy. So I returned home with a clean conscience.

• Arayashiki : There's a great curse upon the house of Arayashiki. There used to be a storehouse where the doghouse is now. My sister lived in it. A yakko snuck in there... and my father beat him to death with a log. The reason why I got sick, why I can't do a pilgrimage to Narayama before I die... it's all because of the curse of the yakko my father murdered. After I die, let every yakko in the village... be your bridegroom for a night.

  Oei : One night for each?

  Arayashiki : That's right. Then pray to the god of our house. And make the yakkos pray too... to the god of our house. If you don't... then that yakko's curse will plague us forever. O-ei, I beg you... do this to atone for that sin. Okay? I'm counting on you.

  Oei : I understand. Don't worry about it. Get a hold of yourself, I said I understand. I promise I'll atone for the sin.