- Woman at wedding banquet: Life, as they say, has its ups and downs. At times, the waves may taunt you, tossing you in their swells. But take heart. It's hard to stick with it and make it on your own. But even a couple of losers can survive most things if they're together. So listen, take some advice and have children as soon as you can. Children are the best reasons for riding out life's storms. Nowadays, people say child-rearing is challenging and difficult, but we've done it from time immemorial. Children grow even without parents. So hold them close to your heart as they crawl, then walk. They'll be fine.
- Noboru Yamada: The reason the Yamadas get along fine is because all three adults are nuts. If one of you were normal it would unbalance the rest.
- [Takashi takes a picture of his family without them noticing]
- Haiku reader: A lone figure / back turned / receding into the mist.
- [Takashi imagines that he is a hero]
- Haiku reader: How cruel, / a grasshopper trapped / under a warrior's helmet.
- [Grandma goes to see a dying friend at the hospital]
- Haiku reader: No sign of Death's approach in the cicadas' voices.
- [Noboru receives a call from a girlfriend]
- Haiku reader: The scent of plums / on a mountain path / suddenly dawn.
- [Grandma and Nonoko watch Mr and Mrs Yamada keep each other from the TV]
- Nonoko Yamada: Nobody can watch any show now...
- Shige Yamano: This is more entertaining!
- [Nonoko went missing and has been found]
- Haiku reader: Joyful laughter breaks the silence of an autumn eve.
- [Mr Yamada eats dinner while his wife watches TV]
- Haiku reader: Turn towards me / I'm lonely too / the Autumn dusk.
- [the Yamadas walk off into the sunset]
- Haiku reader: The ocean in spring / the gentle rolling of the waves / all day long.
- Matsuko: [Walks in to the kitchen, where Shige is preparing food] Um... Mother?
- Shige: Sushi's too easy. I thought I'd try something more interesting.
- Matsuko: [Moans]
- [Beat]
- Matsuko: So what did you decide to make?
- Shige: Beef Stron-ana-goff-uhna-no-va-no...
- Matsuko: [Interrupting] How could you cook it if you can't even say it?
- Shige: Sure I can!
- [Puts on glasses and reads recipe title carefully]
- Shige: "Beef Stroganoff with Peas & Carrots".
- [pause]
- Matsuko: So you *can* say it.
- Shige: It's not that hard. Beef "Strona-goff" is beef "Strona-goff, goff, goff".
- Matsuko: Whatever, just make it.
- Takashi: You have to accept life as it is. Acceptance is the key for suriviving the worst situations without stopping to love each other or separating. Even the worst behavior can be accepted and forgiven if it is not driven by evil. In fact, you must forgive in order to move on. It doesn't have to be bad to resign yourself to a situation. In fact, it is essential. Something basic to have a happy family. Something basic to face life and move on. Although it may sound negative, it is the only way out of unacceptable situations.
- [the Yamada family meets Takashi on his way home and they return together]
- Haiku reader: A spring shower / dressed for rain / talking as they go.
- [Mother discovers that Noboru brought home a book on F-1 racing]
- Noboru Yamada: It's your fault, for starting me with "Power Rangers" ABC when I was three...
- Noboru Yamada: The meal of the day is the same every day: cold noodles!
- Matsuko Yamada: And it will remain the same since there is lots of free ginger from the garden to go with it.