倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾 倉本聰 走る 英訳 ふらの塾
My English translation of the stage play RUN written by Soh Kuramoto
Soh Kuramoto is a very famous writer in Japan. He has written many things for publication, along with stage plays as well as for the movies and television. One of his most widely known television dramas is 北の国から、 From the North Country. This TV drama was not only popular all over Japan, but in many other Asian countries as well. In fact, because of the vast popularity of this TV series, many tourists from all over the world have come to visit Furano, which was the filming location for this drama series. I have had the honor of meeting Soh Kuramoto on several occasions. One of the those occasions was at a performance of of his stage play HASHIRU at the Furano Juku in Furano, Hokkaido. The Furano Juku was so popular that they built a brand new and much larger theater in October of 2000. It is called the Furano Theater Factory and you can visit the website by clicking here. In English, HASHIRU means RUN. This stage play is the story of the two year course of studies at the Furano Juku which is an actors training school. But it is also about the reality of life in post WWII Japan. It talks about how the economy was rebuilt from the ashes of war by the diligent efforts of the Japanese people. Then, after 1990 when the so called bubble economy burst, there were a lot of disillusioned "salary men" who were beginning to lose their jobs because of the bad economic situation. Many people who thought they had a secure job for life, were rudely awakened when they were told that their services were no longer needed at the company. This stage play HASHIRU is a powerfully true, and heart touching story about the importance of working hard and not giving up hope in order to achieve your dreams. I liked the performance so much that I bought the script for $10 and asked the author, Soh Kuramoto, if I could translate it into English and he said OK. The result can be read below. Every year in the springtime, many students from all over Japan come to the Furano Juku with hopes of becoming a rich and famous actor, but only a very few actually make it. This stage play is the true story of their trials and tribulations while considering the backdrop of postwar Japan. Enjoy.
1
START
Runner #15 pulling herself up from the ground and the coach
Coach:
“Your pace is too fast! Wait! Stop for a second!
(coach hits the floor with a whip)
How many times do I have to tell you? Do you think you can keep up that pace all the way until the end of the race? Huh?
(pause)
You don’t understand anything, do you!
(pause)
Give up your dream of winning the race. Just try and finish it. That’s good enough. That’s all that you can hope for this time.
(pause)
Get into the flow around you,…… and go! Put yourself into the flow of the race and ride it out. Don’t think that the other runners around you are your enemies. Your enemy is not around you,…… It‘s in a completely different place. Try and find your enemy. Think about that while your are running.”
(pause)
“Are you listening to me? Yuka!”
(Yuka takes off running by herself)
“Run,……
According to the dictionary ‘run’ means that people and animals move their legs quickly and move forward in a deliberate manner.
(pause)
People,…… everybody,… tries to run through life.
What are they running towards?
------- I don’t really know.
What is it all for?
There are people running through life who don’t even know that much.
(pause)
As for me,…. Well,…. I used to be the same way.
I graduated from college and got a job at a big company.
It was during that time when Japan was still recovering from the damage it had suffered by defeat in the big war.
Anyway, without knowing why, I started running. Running,…… running and doing my best. I lived that way for almost 40 years. Getting closer and closer to retirement. Today was my last day on the job.
(pause)
Yeah, lately I’ve been really confused.
Even though I’ve reached retirement, should I keep on running? Or, should I just stop around here somewhere, and take a rest?
That’s why I’m just standing around here and waiting.
I don’t know what to do.
I want to know the true meaning of what it is to run.
Every year, young people gather here at the Furano Juku, from all over the nation,…… to run.
This race is a bit different from the standard 42.195 kilometer marathon.
It’s a marathon that continues for a full two years,…… without rest.
You can say it’s a marathon against time.
Last year, for the whole year, I peeked in on the race.
There were quite a few people who dropped out.
I said dropped out but,… that doesn’t mean you can abandon the race all together.
‘It’s too difficult this year. I’ll try again next year!’
They say that,…… and then stop running.
‘This year I give up already. I’ll do my best next year.’
I understand how they feel.
However, they can’t do that during the second year.
That’s because they won’t be here to try again for a third year.
Ah,… here they come. The group of runners.”
Runners wearing the black trainers begin
appearing on stage
“We are from the second year group.”
Runners wearing the white trainers begin
appearing on stage
“It’s our first race this year.”
All of the marathon runners assemble on
Stage
They begin stretching and warming up
in small groups
The person with the starting pistol appears
All of the runners line up at the starting line
Silence
“And thus, the race begins.
As expected, the second year upperclassmen have taken up good positions.
However, there are many newcomers running by their sides.
There are always a few of them. Beginners who jump out into an early lead. But most of them can’t continue like this. They don’t know, do they, how to allocate their strength. It’s only their desire that drives them on.
(pause)
Let’s try and make a few predictions.
The top contender seems to be number 7, Oshida. Last year he ran a really good race. He is rumored to be the most dangerous runner in the race. It’s passion. It’s love. How far will this love go to pull his legs out from under him?
------- But where is he? I still can’t see him.
Also,……
Number 8, Kuroda and number 9, Morikawa.
Whoa! Number 15 is all fired up. She’s the newcomer, Sasaki. She has a strong character. She doesn’t make friends. She is always doing things by herself. She might be the big winner.
Ah, number 7 Oshida is over there. Number 1 Maya is running right along beside him. They seem to be getting along fine together. She’s making a good showing just as I expected. She’s also a candidate for first place.
Oh! There’s number 14, Inaba.
That guy recently met with a misfortune.
His older sister died in a traffic accident. He seems to have been rather distressed about whether or not to drop out of the race. But he decided to run anyway. He pushed aside the objections of his parents and entered the race because is older sister had urged him to do so. He’s betting everything on this year’s race.”
“Consequently,…… what can I say,……
My prediction is that number 7 and number 8 have the best chance of winning. Number 3 and number 14 are the long shots.
2
First Mark of the Race
The runners appear on stage one after the other and engage in monologues
First group: runners 9, 2, 18 and 15
Runner #9
“It’s a new April. There is still snow on the ground.
But it looks different than last April. Maybe it’s only that I have changed.
Mother!
I’ve finished the first year’s race but,...
I didn’t place well last year. And now, the second year’s race has started. Last year I was completely hopeless.
I was in love with Shin Chan, a boy who was waiting for me in my home town, I couldn’t concentrate on my running at all. This year, I’ll forget about all of that. I’ll ignore it and run.”
Runner #2
“It’s my second marathon. It’s my last marathon.
I’m going to fly this year. Right from the start.
No problem. I’ve got lots of muscle.
I’ve been building my body just by working in the fields.
Keiko! You won’t beat me. No way! I’m different than last year. Much different.”
“Don’t put me down. It’s the first time I’ve run this race, but I’m no amateur. I’ve been running for a long, long time. I don’t think I will be defeated by my upper classmates. Not by their experience. Not even by their stamina.”
“I’m running towards my dream.
Because I believe only in my dream,… I am running.
I hate to hang out with other people.
Anyway, strangers are nothing more than strangers.
The only thing I can believe in is my dream.”
Second group: runners 3,8,5,4 and 11
Runner #3
“There are a lot of people who only have a dream.
Most people think that if they just see a dream, it will come true.
To tell you the truth, I was that way last year too.
I’m a bit different this year.
“Don’t hurry.
Take your time.
Hold back, don’t jump out in front too quickly.
Last year I took the lead early and everybody hated me.
I ignored all of the warnings and set a fast pace.
I was thinking only of myself and self-destructed.
Don’t hurry.
Take your time.
Pace yourself.
Run smart.”
“Don’t eat.
Don’t eat.
Don’t eat.
Don’t eat.
I am going to lose weight!
No snacks between meals!
I won’t drink soda pop!
I won’t eat potato chips.
So,…… please everybody, don’t offer me any.”
“The lower classmen are running all around me.
The upper classmen are all out of sight.
This year’s lower classmen are really strong.
They are probably glittering with hope.
(pause)
I was probably the same way last year.
I feel like I’ve grown old during the previous year.”
“I can’t forget the humiliation I felt last year.
Even though I had real ability, I was defeated by sleepiness.
(pause)
This year I’m going to do it.
I’m going to beat the sleepiness.
appear on stage.
“I’m riding a roller coaster of emotion. I’m so happy it’s spring that I can hardly contain myself. My body is so charged with energy,…… it’s crazy! But that’s no problem. I’m going to run. I’m going to run like a wild horse. I’m so happy it’s spring, I can hardly contain myself. I’m so pumped up,…… I’m fearless. I’m going to run. I’m gonna put the pedal to the metal.”
“I’m depressed. I’m really depressed. I’m completely depressed. I’m always depressed.”
“Ever since I was just a small child, everyone said that I was sly. Even on my school report card it was written that my dishonesty was a problem.
I admit it. I am crafty.
After I entered junior high school, there was a notation on my report card that said I did things in a slipshod and makeshift manner.
I kind of like the word ‘slipshod.’
I’m going to run this race in a ‘slipshod manner’.”
“Haven’t you been anaesthetized by civilization?
Which is more important,… your legs or your car?
Which is more important,… water or oil?
Which is more important,… wisdom or knowledge?
Which is more important,… creativity or criticism?
Which is more important,… action or theory?”
“It’s good enough for me to run behind this guy.
It’s good enough for me if I don’t fall too far behind him.
I don’t care what anybody else says.
Nobody understands me anyway.
I’m just going to stare at his back and run.
(pause)
Oh, he has such big strong shoulders and,...
such a feeling of security.”
The 6th group appears on stage.
Runners 25, 6, 31, 16, 19, 13
Runner #6
(Talking about the runner directly in front of him)
“I really like Miss Yamamoto Chiyo. She has such nice hips.
Just the right amount of flesh for my liking.
(pause)
This is not the right time to be thinking about such things.
(pause)
But I’m going to hold this position and enjoy watching her hips as long as I can.
(pause)
Hips, ho ho ho
Hips, ho ho ho”
The 7th group: Runners 26 and 23
“I made love just before coming here.
My partner was a woman older than me. Another man’s wife.”
“I made love just before coming here too.
My partner was a man. Younger than me.”
The 8th group: Runners 17 and 29
“I’ve said it before but,…
If you run out in front of me, I’m going to punch you out!
Do you understand? Don’t you mess with me!
Runner #29
(no response)
I mean it man! There is such a thing as social status, you know. The entire world is a vertical society. If you try and change that,… I’m going to whack you man.
I swear it!
My dream is to have a character just like the Sumo champion ChiYouTaiKai.”
The 9th Group: Runner #27 only.
Runner #27
“The new comers this year are really flying.
I was way too pumped up last year.
This year, I’ve got a plan.
During the spring, I’ll just crawl along with everybody else, like a turtle.
When summer comes, I’ll sneak into 3rd or 4th place without anybody even noticing me.
(pause)
In the autumn, I going to change from a turtle into a snake.
I’m going to slither my way into last place of the lead group. I’ve still got lots of stamina.
Then comes winter.
Winter is a big challenge all by itself. It’s an explosion.
Red pepper and a pocket-sized heating pad.
I’ve got ‘em hidden in my pants.
They will help to get me through the cold winter.
(pause)
But as for now, it’s still spring.
And I am a turtle.”
The 10th Group: Runner #14 only
Runner #14
“If I can just finish the race, that’s enough.
That’s all I want.
Sister!
That’s what my sister told me to do.
(pause)
Sister! Why did you have to die?
Where is my sister now?
I wish my sister were here to cheer me on now.
That’s the only reason I’m running.”
The 11th Group: Runners 22, 21, 10, 24, 32, 24, 28, 20 and 30 appear on stage.
“Everybody is really young, aren’t they. Yeah. It’s great to be so vivacious.
But, I don’t want to jump out in front from the start of the race. This position is good for now.
Hey! You’re a bit behind on your rhythm.
If one person goes crazy, everybody goes crazy.
Let’s coordinate our breathing. Follow me.
Huff huff! Huff huff! Huff huff!”
3
Second Mark of the Race
Background music starts
The voice of a father reading a letter to his son.
VOICE
“Yuusaku. It’s been a rather long time since you left home to go there. I wonder how you’re doing. You are always thinking only about your objective and even though you never contact me, I’m not worried about you. However, recently I saw you running that marathon on TV and you looked rather thin. That’s the first time I’ve seen you with such a drawn face. After your mother saw that, she became very worried. I mean, really worried.
Yuusaku.
Is the race that you’re running now, really such an important race? Can’t you get by without being so hard on yourself?”
“Father, don’t worry about me.
I have my own way of doing things, you know.
Please tell my mother the same thing.
(pause)
But, to tell you the truth dad, the real reason I’m running, is to get away from you and mom.
I’m tired of being spoiled!
Sorry to say it.
But anyway,…
I want to run by myself.”
Runners 9 and 15 have a verbal exchange.
“It’s not smart to get out in front too soon, you know.”
Runner #15
(no response)
#9
“I think you and I are both running a bit too fast.”
Runner #15
(no response)
#9
“Let’s both slow down a little bit, OK?”
Runner #15
(no response)
Runner #15 keeps up the faster pace but,.. the other three runners, lag behind.
Runner #9 calls out to runner #15
“Yuka!!!”
The runners take a stop motion stance.
The coach appears on the scene.
COACH
“This runner, Yuka, is hated by everyone around her.
Let’s replay the video and find out why.
Play close attention to the other runners around her.”
The runners imitate a video pause rewind and return to the positions that they held just as runner #9 yelled out ‘YUKA!!!’
The previous conversation between #9 and #15 is repeated as above
Runner number 15 gradually pushes ahead to take the lead.
(pause)
Runner #2
“Last year some fool took the lead too early. Who was that?”
“It was Katchin.”
Runner #2
“Oh,… that’s right!”
Runner #9
“She didn’t even last until the autumn leaves began to fall.”
Runner #2
“That’s right.”
(pause)
Runner #9
“You know,… It’s really important to synchronize your pace with that of everyone else’s.”
Runner #2
“That’s true but, nobody knows that at the start of the race. All you can think about is taking the lead for yourself.”
Runner #9
“Yeah,…… the truth is, I’m a little bit off of my pace.”
Runner #2
“Hey, don’t feel down. You’re surrounded by friends. We’ve all got to work together and help each other.”
Runner #15
“What are you talking about you fool?”
(pause)
I don’t really want to talk to other people.
These people with me now,… they aren’t my friends.
Everybody around me is my enemy.
What good does it do to talk to your enemies?
Enemies are a thing to be crushed.
Enemies are a thing to be hated.
I will use the energy of my hate to spring myself forward. Yeah!”
There is the loud snap as the ACL in #15’s
right knee breaks
Runner #15 stumbles
Runner #9 bumps into #15
Runner #15 falls down.
Runner #2 cannot avoid #15 and runs into her before zooming past.
Runner #15 groaning in pain tries to get back up but can’t.
COACH’S VOICE:
“Yuka!”
“Yuka! Stand up!! Run!!!”
COACH’S VOICE becomes softer:
“What ever happened to your self confidence?”
The other runners take off leaving the injured #15 where she lies.
The other runners come by one after the other and running in slow motion, bypass the injured #15
Runner #15 tries again and again to get up but the pain is too much and she can’t do it.
The remaining runners all run past #15 in succession
Runner #15 is left where she lies, all by herself and completely alone.
4
The Third Mark of the Race
The first group appears on stage
Runners 9, 2 and 18
Runner #2
“Say,…… Uh, what ever happed to Yuka?”
(no response)
(pause)
Runner #2
“I saw what happened. You tripped up Yuka.”
(no response)
“I saw you do it.”
(no response)
(no response)
Runner #2
Runner #9
(no response)
Runner #18
“Well, I guess that’s what competition is all about.”
Runner #9
(no response)
Runner #18
“I saw it too. You deliberately tripped up Yuka!”
Runner #9
“Eh?!? What are you talking about? I would never do something like that!”
Runner #18
“You tripped her up! You’ve got such guts! I’m impressed”
Runner #9
“What the!… shut up! I didn’t do anything.”
Runner #9 spurts out in front.
Runner #18 does the same
Runner #2 lags behind.
Runner #9
“I don’t care what they say. They can say what they want. They are always doing it anyway. Finding excuses is what really trips people up. I don’t have time to think about that stuff now. I’ve got to win! I’ve got to get out in front of the others.”
Runners 9 and 18 run off.
Runner #2 is left behind.
Runner #2
“Bastards! Assholes! Huh? What?
I hear foot steps behind me!”
Runner #2 looks behind herself
Runner #2
What the,… What’s this? Otani is right behind me. How did that happen?
Damn it! Son of a bitch!”
Runners 8 and 3 appear
Runner #8
“Don’t hurry! Take your time! It’s still too early to take the lead.
(pause)
But this gal is too slow. I should just run at my usual pace. I’m going to pass her. I don’t care if she hates me. Excuse me for passing you.”
Runner #3
“My pace is really calm. I am running at my own pace.
I have found my own pace.
(pause)
Last year the upperclassmen set the pace.
At times I thought it was too fast and at times I thought it was too slow. But this year we are setting our own pace.
Not too fast. Not too slow.
Our own breathing. Our own rhythm.”
Runner #5 appears.
Runner #5
“I broke a promise! I bought some potato chips.”
Runners 13 and 25 appear.
Runner #13
“It’s your first time this year isn’t it?”
Runner #25
“Yes, it is!”
Runner #13
“The biggest problem is pacing yourself for the long race.”
Runner #25
“I think so too.”
Runner #13
“You’ll be OK. Just stick with me.”
Runner #25
“OK.”
Runner #13
“I’ll lead the way. Let’s go together.”
Runner #25
“Oh, thank you very much.”
Runners 1 and 7 appear
Runner #7
“Haven’t you been anaesthetized by civilization?
Which is more important,… your legs or your car?
Which is more important,… water or oil?
Which is more important,… wisdom or knowledge?
Which is more important,… creativity or criticism?
Which is more important,… action or theory?”
“I’m running right beside you. I can’t believe it. I’m right by your side. That’s enough to make me happy. You and I are one. Our speed is the same. We are running in step. We are even breathing in rhythm. You and I are one wind.”
Runners 23 and 26 appear
Runner #26
“This race is getting more and more painful.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m starting to wear out sooner than I expected.”
Runner #23
“It’s better not to think about running when you are running.”
Runner #26
“What should I think about?”
Runner #23
“Think about something else. Anything but running.”
Runner #26
“What are you thinking about right now?”
(pause)
Runner #23
“Love and separation”
Runner #26
(no response)
Runner #23
“You’ve never experienced any hardships, have you?”
Runner #26
“I guess not.”
Runner #23
“If you think running is tough, it’s not. Running is a simple problem of the muscles and the heart. That’s all.
Runner #26
“Yeah, I know what you mean.”
(pause)
Runner #23
“Have you ever loved a man?”
Runner #26
“Uh,… No. Not yet.”
Runner #23
“I highly recommend it.”
(pause)
Runner #26
“Uh,… what a,… What does it feel like?”
Runner #23
“It’s a hundred times deeper and more pure than loving a woman. That’s because there are no ulterior motives such as producing offspring. Therefore, it is unlimited in its pureness.”
“That’s disgusting!!!”
Runner #23
“That’s the pressure of society, isn’t it.”
Runner #6 appears
Runner #6
“I can’t see Chiyo’s hips anymore! Chiyo’s hips are overflowing with youth. Even though she is my junior, she has left me behind and is steadily moving out in front!
(pause)
Chiyo! I’m thinking about you!
(pause)
Your young hips will someday grow old. They will lose their tightness. It won’t be long, you know.”
Runners 22 and 4 appear
Runner #22
“Hey! Are you sleeping?”
Runner #4
(no response)
Runner #22
“You sleep a lot while your running, don’t you?”
Runner #4
(no response)
Runner#22 (yelling)
“Hey! Wake up!”
Runner #4’s eyes open with a start and she takes off running in a different direction
Runner #22
“No, no, no! Not that way!”
Runners 29 and 17 appear.
Runner #17
“Wait a second! Hey wait! I told you not to jump out in front of me!
Runner #29 moves farther ahead
Runner #17
“So, you’ve got an attitude, have you? Is it for real?
ahead of #17
Runner #30 appears
Runner #30
“I’ve got to find a toilet. I’ve got to take a dump.”
Runners 24 and 20 appear
Runner #24
“I wonder what I am running towards.”
“Huh???”
“I wonder,… Why am I running?”
“------------ Huh???”
Runner #24
“I’ve never even had a boyfriend. I wonder what will become of me.”
“-------- Gee, I wonder.”
(pause)
Runner #24
“Isn’t it all in vain? Isn’t it all just a big waste of time?
Runners 11, 35 and 12 appear
Runner #35
“Excuse me but, do you know a short-cut?”
“No, I don’t.”
Runner #27 appears
Runner #27
“My plan is rapidly falling apart. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.
(pause)
It might sound like an excuse but my body is not very strong. I was always getting sick, ever since I was a child.
(pause)
The doctor was always telling me not to try too hard.
(pause)
Even the birthmark on the right cheek of my butt hasn’t completely disappeared yet.”
Several runners appear and run off stage
Runner #21 appears, looking a bit strange
Runner #21
“Hey, staff member! Everybody is bad mouthing me. I know they are. Everybody gathers in the room next to mine and talks about me in hushed voices. They do it all night long! They don’t even sleep a wink! Even though I’m very sleepy, it wakes me up. The other people don’t sleep. They never sleep. They stay up all night, every night and then go to work the next day.”
Runner #14 appears
Runner 21 grabs Runner 14 by the arm
Runner #21
“Hey! Kousuke! You’re bad mouthing me too, aren’t you!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about! Let go of me!
“Kousuke! You touched my breasts!”
Runner #14 (looking surprised)
“I did not!”
Runner #21
“Yes you did!”
Runner #14
“No, I didn’t!”
Runner #21
“Yes you did!”
Runner #21 (speaking to the staff member)
“Kousuke touched my breasts!”
Runner #21 begins to breathe heavily and glares at the staff member. Then she suddenly laughs
Runner #21
“I’m losing all of my hair!”
Runner #21 continues to laugh and then suddenly starts crying.
The staff member holds onto runner #21 and escorts her off stage.
Runner #14 returns to the race.
5
Drinking Water Supply Station
All of the runners appear on stage one after the other running in slow motion. Some of them grab a paper cup or a sponge from the station. Some do not.
In the background, a mother and her daughter are playing with fireworks
Autumn
6
The 5th Station
“Yesterday, I got a letter from my daughter. It was the first letter from her in three years. She told me that she had given birth to a child. I,…… I started crying, spontaneously.
(pause)
It seems my wife had already heard the news.
Somehow, I was vaguely aware of this. But I,…… I was determined to ignore it.
I loved her you know. My daughter,… that is.
That’s why I worked so hard for all these years.
(pause)
What did my daughter see in that man?
What was it about that man that my daughter found attractive?
I guess it must be pure love.
She eloped with her boyfriend.
(pause)
It was a big shock for me.
(long pause)
The young people who are running here.
And their parents. Probably feel the same way…… Don’t they?
(pause)
That’s the way they are, these children here who single mindedly devote themselves to the illusion they have as their dream.
(pause)
However,……
Now, I too am thinking about such things.
(pause)
Even if it is just an illusion, it is better to have some kind of a dream than none at all.
It’s good to have a dream with a goal in mind.
I wonder now if I ever had such a dream.
At times I think that I never did.
The company. I always did everything for the company. I feel as if I never had any dream other than that.”
The sound of footsteps is heard from far away and then comes closer and closer.
The voice of runner # 9 is heard.
“Shin Chan! I haven’t gotten a letter from you in 3 months!”
It’s already autumn here in Furano.
The mountain behind our performing arts school looks really impressive.
It is ablaze with vivid reds and yellows. It reminds me of the many times we visited Iwate Mountain together.
Shin Chan. Can I still believe in you?
(pause)
I still have about half a year to go.
I’m still running. Amid the autumn colors.”
“The other day, I had that horrible dream again.
(pause)
The dream where I see the time when Yuka fell down.
I wonder if Yuka gave up on finishing the race then?
Or, maybe she is still running towards somewhere?
(pause)
Kaori who was also running with us at that time is really lagging behind too.
The person who is running with me now is a new comer this year, Yuusaku.
But Yuusaku looks like he is having a hard time.
“The back of Eiko who is running in front of me, suddenly gets bigger,…… and then it gets farther away.
(pause)
The body of that person who was running behind me was,… And also the body of Otani was,……”
“…… They just floated out in front of me and then just drifted away.
(pause)
Father!
(pause)
My feet.
There are holes at the tips of my toes and the oil in my body is flowing out!
(Runner #18 begins to sob)
Father!
Eiko,…… Katchin,…… and Otani too,……
Everyone is running really well!
I can’t keep up with them.
(continues to sob)
I was completely spoiled when I lived in Tokyo.
The reason I came here in the first place was because I was tired of being spoiled but,…… just like I thought something about me is self-conceited.
(pause)
To tell the truth,… everybody was just messing with me.
Nobody was taking me seriously! Nobody!
(pause)
(tears roll down his face)
It’s terrible father,…… I’m the lowest of the low!
(He begins to sob more loudly)
My upper classmen are great! They are a cut above!
Their training is much harsher than mine!
(Runner 18 begins to weep bitterly)
People who are harsh to others don’t get ahead.
Only people who are tough on themselves get ahead.
(crying more loudly than before)
Let’s all clap for all the tough people in the world!
Let’s all clap for our upper classmen!
Clap!
Clap!”
Runner #2 approaches
Runner #2
“I can’t get Yuka out of my head.
The Yuka that fell down when I bumped into her.
I just ignored her and kept on running.
Even though I am her friend, I abandoned her.”
Runner #13 (breathing feebly)
“Please,…… stay with me.”
“Don’t hurry…… Slow down…… Run at my pace.
What!?! What the!?!…..
Runner #25 runs past #13
Runner #13
You’d be better off not to hurry so much.
Life is…… just beginning…… life is long, you know.”
“The life of a flower is very short, you know.”
“That’s odd!
His back is shaking!
The rhythm of his legs is different than before!
He’s off his pace! It’s obvious that his pace is off!
What happened Takashi?
Come on Takashi,…… pull yourself together!
You pace is a bit off, you know!”
“You take the lead!”
“What!?!”
“Get out in front of me, damn it!”
“I can’t do that!” I’ve been watching your back and running along behind you all this way.”
Runner #7 (yelling out in an excruciating voice)
“Stop grumbling and get the hell out in front of me!!!”
(stunned silence)
“It’s much easier for me to follow you!
Don’t always drift along in my windbreak!
Get out in front of me! And do it now!”
“Are you really going to follow me?
Will you follow after me?”
“Yes,…… damn it! So,…… hurry up and take the lead!
Runner 1 makes up her mind and pulls out in front of runner 7.
“I want to eat a deep fried pork cutlet”
“I want to eat a deep fried pork cutlet”
“The snow bugs have already made their appearance this year. They have a fleeting existence, don’t they.
No really. They don’t live for very long, do they?
That’s just the kind of insect they are.
I’ve killed them before.
(pause)
I shouldn’t have done that!
I hate myself for it!”
“Are you depressed? Have you become depressed?
Don’t worry about it Chiharu. You’ll get over it.”
“You think too much. Stop it!”
“Yeah! Let’s forget about it! Let’s forget about everything and just run!”
Runners 23 and 26 appear
“Hey, Kura! Look! The steam is rising from the river. It’s so beautiful!”
“Yes it is. I guess that means that the first snowfall is just around the corner.”
(pause)
“I didn’t think I could run this far.”
Runner #26
“Neither did I.”
(pause)
Runner #23
“Is it painful?”
“No, it’s not. Strangely enough,…… On the contrary, I’m high! I feel great!
“That’s what everyone calls the Runner’s High.”
“Yeah, but winter is still in front of us. I don’t know what’s going to happen after this. But anyway,……
Runner #26
“I now feel as if I can finish this race somehow.
But it’s a little bit embarrassing.”
“What’s that?”
“Ah,…… No I can’t,…… I can’t explain it very well but,…… You and I,…… We’ve been running together and come all this way,…… And ah,…… what should I say… I’ve begun to have a very special feeling towards you.”
“I’ve been in love with you right from the start.”
“No, no, no, no, no! My feeling is different than that! I still like women better but that’s not what I’m talking about. I don’t know if I should ask you this or not but,…
(pause)
Is it possible that you are hiding something very important?”
“Does it look that way to you?”
“Sometimes your back suddenly looks like that of Jesus Christ carrying the cross.”
(no response)
(pause)
“Where is that person now? The one you parted with.”
(pause)
Runner #23 (points his finger up to the sky)
“In heaven. He returned to heaven.”
“No kidding? That’s what I thought.”
(pause)
Runner #23 takes off his wrist band, wipes the sweat off of his forehead and hands the wrist band to Runner #26.
Runner #26 looks shocked momentarily, but then takes the wrist band, wipes the sweat from his own forehead and returns the wristband to Runner #23
(pause)
“Thank you.”
“The yellow pine needles of the larch trees are falling like rain. They fall and stick to my body. It’s just like a yellow rain. But in a very short time, this yellow rain will turn into a white snow.
(pause)
Right in front of my eyes are Minami’s hips.
(pause)
They’re not bad.
(pause)
Compared to Chiyo’s hips, they’re not as young but, then again, they have a certain maturity to them.
I would be willing to pay money for hips like hers.
(pause)
What I really like more than the peach shaped spread from left to right, is the high tight cheeks as seen from the side.
It’s not good to have too much of a belly, but I do like it when you can clearly see the indentation of the backbone.
(pause)
I guess I can’t ask for extravagance.
(long pause)
When in the world did I become such a critic of women’s hips???
(pause)
Why am I running this race anyway???
“Hey you guys,…… There is a bus stop just a little ways ahead.”
Runner #22
“A bus stop!!!”
“There is going to be a bus coming soon.”
(pause)
The runners take a quick look around them to make sure nobody is watching
“Let’s all ride the bus,…… just to the next bus stop.”
“Come on,…… nobody will see us.”
(pause)
“Well,…… If we’re going to ride the bus anyway, we might as well ride it to the bus stop after the next one too.”
“Yeah, let’s do it.”
(pause)
Runner #20 suddenly yells out from behind the stage
“Those guys are going to cheat and ride the bus!”
“No we’re not! No we’re not. It’s a joke! It’s a joke!”
Runners 11 and 12 appear, breathing heavily and looking very tired.
“You mustn’t fall asleep!”
“I’m not sleeping.”
(pause)
“What are you thinking about?”
(pause)
“I was thinking about what I should come back as the next time I am reborn.”
“Anything is OK as long as I don’t have to run. A much more stupid animal would be just fine.”
(pause)
“How about a turtle?”
“Nah, I want to be a shellfish.”
“What kind of shellfish?”
“A scallop.”
“Becoming a snail would be good enough for me.”
(pause)
“Say,…… let’s go to sleep for just a little while.”
“Yes, let’s.”
The two runners stop running, lie down and go to sleep
Runners 10 and 33 come along, become very sleepy, drop to the stage, fall asleep and drop out of the race
“At last, I’ve been left behind by everybody.
What in the world am I doing?
I’m out here all alone on this snowy night.
(pause)
I can’t go on any more!
My legs won’t move the way I want them to!
I can’t raise my arms.
This is the end.
I’m going to quit.
I’m going to give up.
(pause)
This race is beyond my ability.
My dream was too big.”
“What!?
Who is that?
There is still someone running behind me.
I can’t believe that I’m not the slowest runner.
Who could it be!?!”
“What are you doing Yousuke!”
Runner #14
(no response)
“You can never give up!
RUN damn it! RUN with all your heart!!”
The ghostly image of his dead sister, as a marathon runner appears beside him
“Sister!”
“What the hell are you doing? Pull yourself together! Keep running!!”
“I can’t,…… I can’t move my legs anymore!”
“Don’t be a coward!”
“But sister,…… Really,…… I’ve done my best and made it this far but,…… It was all I could do, just to get to here. I just can’t go any further. My dream was unrealistic from the start.”
“What are you talking about? Do you remember what you said to your father when you decided to start this race?”
(no response)
“Your father could never chase his dream. Day after day after day, he was running in place just to keep up with his job. Work, work, work. He told you, ‘What ever you do, don’t end up like me.’”
“You knew nothing of your father’s trials and tribulations. You thought you were so great. You were just being defiant, weren’t you.”
(no response)
“Your father never said anything about it. That’s the way he was. Just like you said.
But I,…… I was a pitiful thing.
Your father was a poor thing too.
He was your ally at that time.
Are you going to stab us in the back now by giving up on this race?”
Runner #14 continues crying as he tries to keep running
“It’s OK Kousuke.
You can still keep on running.
I will run together with you. Right by your side.
(no response)
“Come on! Do your best! Finish the race!
7
The 6th Station
All of the runners make an appearance on stage in turn
During that time, some of the runners drop out of the race
Again all of the runners appear on stage. This time in random order starting with the first group
8
The 7th Station
“The years go by quickly.
When I was a child, this season would cause me great excitement.
The end of the year, that is.
Christmas.
New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s Day.
(pause)
However, as I get older, this time of the year makes me feel extremely sad.
How about you?
(pause)
Christmas music plays on the radio.
On the TV, hedonistic young people laugh out loud like they are crazy or something.
They are thinking only of today, with no regard for the future.
(pause)
But for me, that kind of laughter makes me feel sad.
What can I say,…… It makes me feel sad and alone.
(pause)
When I was a young man, there was no such gaiety.
What I remember about my early childhood is the wail of air raid sirens and the sound of marching soldiers.”
The sound of Christmas music fades out and is replaced by the increasingly louder sound of marching boots. The sound reaches a crescendo and then suddenly stops
Background music of “The Apple Song” begins
“All of that suddenly disappeared in the burned out ruins our bombed out cities, and the Japanese men started running.
They started to revive the country from ground zero.
They started the reconstruction from nothing.
They just started running blindly.
Can all of you young people of today laugh about that?
Your fathers were all members of that group.
So were your grandfathers and your elder brothers.
You cannot appreciate these men who have struggled to support your lifestyle and who have made Japan a rich country.
(pause)
Everyone ran.
They all ran in desperation.
(pause)
To tell the truth.
(pause)
The company I worked for all these years went bankrupt today.
(pause)
It was a bank.
It was a bank that nobody ever thought would fail.
(pause)
I was dumbstruck with disbelief.
Since the end of the war, we Japanese have been running single-mindedly and without thinking towards our goal.
But then again,…… when I think hard about it,…… did we really have a goal?
(pause)
When we reached one goal, we went on to the next one.
When we cleared that goal, again,…… we went on towards the next goal.
You might say that we were running a marathon with no clear goal in mind. We were just following our desires.
(pause)
When I got my first electric refrigerator, that was the realization of one goal.
When I got my first TV,…… That was another goal completed.
When I got my first car,…… Another goal realized.
When I think about it now, I feel like there are many such scenes in my past.”
“It would have been good if we had been satisfied with that.
It would have been good if we had stopped at that time.
But we didn’t. We kept on running.
We were always trying do better than the year before. It was a continuous cycle.
We continued our endless quest upwards, ever higher.”
A group of business suit clad men, running in place, appears behind a mesh screen on the stage
The light on the businessmen dims and they disappear
“It’s all a comedy.
It’s just an illusion.
(pause)
Ah,…… I can hear them again. The sound of footsteps.
That single-minded sound.
It makes me feel nostalgic.”
“I’m way out in front.
Even though my legs are almost frozen, I think I can hold this position until the end of the race.
(short pause)
As long as I’m not brushed aside by some bothersome detail.
(pause)
Yuka!
I’m sorry!
I,…… I didn’t trip you up on purpose!
(pause)
I have no reason to do something like that!
(pause)
Shin Chan!
(pause)
Why don’t you ever write to me?
Have you come to hate me so much?
You laughed and said that you could easily wait for me for at least two years but, was that just a lie?
(pause)
Is our relationship over?
(pause)
Shin Chan. Please! Please write me a letter!
appears
“Alright!!! I can see her!
I’ve come to within sight of Keiko
I’ve even been able to shake off Otani who was right behind me all the way.
I’ve got it now!
I’m going to grab the top position!
(pause)
Up until now, I lived my whole life only caring about how other people might look at everything I did.
What if people hate me?
What if nobody will love me?
I lived in fear. I was a coward.
That was no way to live.
That was wrong headed.
If only I love other people first, then they will love me back.
I don’t need to think about all of that other superfluous bullshit.
I have confidence in myself.
Because of my confidence, I can RUN!”
appears
“Help me big brother.
I,…… I can’t continue any more.
I can never finish in first place.
(pause)
You always said the same thing to me didn’t you big brother.
‘You can never be the top runner. Give up your foolish dream.’
But,……
That’s OK because, I’ve already run the race.
I’ve brought my dream this far.
I am proud of that.
If that’s all I’ve ever done,…… I can be proud of myself.”
“I’ve finally made it all the way to here.”
“What?!?”
“I never thought I would last long enough to see winter come.”
(pause)
“Kura San,…… You’ve noticed, haven’t you. That I’ve been infected with a deadly disease.
“………… What?”
Runner #23
“Even though you knew that,…… you took my sweat soaked wrist band and wiped your own sweaty brow with it.”
(no response)
“You are very kind.
You are my friend.”
(no response)
(pause)
“My lover died of an infectious disease.
That disease is in my blood too.”
(no response)
(pause)
“Why are you running?”
(pause)
“To tell you the truth,…… I don’t really know myself.
But,… Maybe,…… It’s just because I am still able to run.”
(no response)
“How much longer can I keep on running? Do I have enough energy? Watching my own energy burn out,…… maybe that is my reason for living.”
“Climbing over mountains.
Crossing through valleys.
Climbing over another mountain.
Crossing through another valley.
Then again, climbing over yet another mountain.
And crossing through yet another valley.
Before I know it,…… I’m 30 years old.”
“We’ve already passed up two people.
Only seven more to go!
Takashi!
Are you OK
Takashi
Are you still with me?!?
“Stay out in front of me!”
“Don’t be a coward!
Everybody has already reached their limit.”
Runner #7
(no response)
“We haven’t given up! Everyone is tired!
This is our chance! This is our big chance!”
“Stop It!”
(no response)
“Run at your own pace, damn it! You don’t need to synchronize with me!”
“I am running at my own pace.”
Runner #7
“Shut up! Don’t lie to me!”
“I’m not lying!”
“Ah ha! I know what you’re up to!
Just a little while ago, you wanted to run faster.
But if you stay close to me,…… You have to deliberately run slower.”
“No,…… That’s not true!”
“You don’t understand men, you dummy!”
(no response)
“If you take pity on a man,……… That man will lose his honor.
You don’t understand men at all! Do you! You damn fool!”
(no response)
Runner #7
“Hurry up and get the hell out of here,……… Before I start to hate you.”
Runner 7 suddenly stops, stands still for a moment, and then falls to his knees.
Runner 1 keeps on running, but when she finally realizes what has happened, she returns to the spot where Runner 7 has fallen down.
“What happened?”
“Go away! Get the hell out of here!”
people
people
“I want to eat MANJU! I want to eat MANJU!”
Runner 1, after vacillating for a while, makes up her own mind, and takes off running again.
Runner 7, upon seeing this, grits his teeth, stands up, and slowly starts running again. However, he is very wobbly and rapidly falls way behind everybody else.
“Haven’t you been anaesthetized by civilization?
Which is more important,… your legs or your car?
Which is more important,… water or oil?
Which is more important,… wisdom or knowledge?
Which is more important,… creativity or criticism?
Which is more important,… action or theory?”
9
The 8th Station
The group that is holding the lead in the race appears on stage. Runners 9,8,23,26,3,29
10
The 9th Station
The group that is holding the lead in the race appears again on stage. This time in slow motion.
Runners 9,8,23,26,3,29
Runner 9 trips and falls down. As she does, the voice of Shinji (the boyfriend she left behind in her home town) is heard reading from his letter to Keiko (Runner 9)
Shinji’s Voice
“Kei Chan.
I’ve been here waiting for you for the past two years.
But, I feel as if I can’t do that, anymore.
Please forgive me.
I can no longer stick with you and follow your dream.
Good bye. I still love you.”
11
The Finish Line
The event staff pulls the tape across the point of the finish line, and waits for the first runners to appear
Finally, the leading group of runners appears is slow motion and approaches the tape.
Each runner, in turn, suddenly returns to normal motion and crosses the finish line
The last runner to cross the finish line is #14
Background music reaches a crescendo, and then abruptly stops
12
After the Banquet
The staff members are busy cleaning up after the race
The man past middle age, looking absent minded, reappears on stage
“When the festival was over,
(pause)
There was this indescribable feeling of sadness.
(pause)
After the party was over.
(pause)
But actually, this sadness has,…… in one way at least,…… a certain quality about it.
Almost like a narcotic.
That’s why people crave this feeling of loneliness.
They can forget about all the hard times and keep on running
We are very odd creatures, aren’t we.
Human beings.
Living things.
(pause)
These young runners right now are feeling higher than a kite. They’ve gone nuts with ecstasy.
They are anticipating the next time they can run again.
The present time is just a short pause until the start of their next race
A rest.
What a nostalgic word.
For young people, there is still plenty of time to take a rest.
(pause)
I too, am thinking about taking a rest. Thinking about,…… well,…… to stop my running.
I’ve already RUN enough.
Yeah, that’s right! I deserve this rest. A long rest.
I’m going to give up my stubborn ways and get back on good terms with my daughter,…… and my grandchildren.
I just want to be able to sit around with them and relax.
And,… from time to time,… Look through my photo albums.
Since the end of the war,…… The strongest memory I have is of following in the footsteps of my bosses and running along the same path.
I’m going to reexamine my dream, and find out what it is that I should’ve really been doing with my life.”
“Ahhh,…… I can hear that the music from my group of friends has already started.
It was during that time when,…… we were shining at our brightest.”
The young people (the runners) all jump out onto the stage and begin to………
They all begin dancing in a spiral fashion. (like a maypole dance)
All of the staff members start lining up again at the finish line
“What happened??”
“There is still one person running the race.”
“Huuuuuuuuuuuuh,…………………???
One of the staff members suddenly says…
“Somebody, hurry up and bring me a First Aid Kit!”
same time
again
finish line
Runner 15 is covered with mud and looks completely exhausted
Runner 15’s injured right leg is barely able to
move
“I want to talk to somebody,…… Right now,…… Really badly.
“I want to talk to somebody.
I’ve made this long journey all by myself.
I haven’t talked to anybody for a long, long time.
During this entire year,…
The hard times,…
The loneliness,……
Being hated by other people,…
I’ve even started to hate myself.
Come on, everybody,…
Won’t you please talk to me?
I’ve grown up a bit in the meantime, you know.
I’ve found my real enemy,…
My real enemy was inside of me.
The enemy I had to fight with has always been right here, inside of me.
I want to talk to somebody!
I want to talk to somebody really bad. Right now!”
Runner 15 keeps pushing slowly towards the finish line
Finally, she crosses the goal line and falls into the arms of the other runners and staff members. A big celebration begins.