Late Spring (1949)

Haruko Sugimura: Masa Taguchi

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Quotes 

• Masa Taguchi : I have a fine prospect. Won't you meet him? His name is Satake. He studied science at Tokyo University. He's from a good family. He works at Nitto Chemicals. His father was a director there until the war. He's 34. Just right for you. His office speaks highly of him. What do you say? He looks like that American. The man in that baseball movie.

  Noriko Somiya : Gary Cooper?

  Masa Taguchi : That's right, Cooper. Looks just like him. He has the exact same mouth. The top half is different, though.

• Masa Taguchi : How can you know how she feels deep inside?

  Shukichi Somiya : Maybe you're right.

  Masa Taguchi : I am. That's how the younger generation is.

• Masa Taguchi : Maybe some detail is bothering her?

  Shukichi Somiya : Like what?

  Masa Taguchi : Like his - name.

  Shukichi Somiya : Kumataro Satake?

  Masa Taguchi : Kumataro - "Bear Boy."

  Shukichi Somiya : What's wrong with it? It sounds tough. If anybody's old fashioned, it's you. That wouldn't bother her.

  Masa Taguchi : But doesn't it make you think of hairy chests and things? That bothers young ladies more than you imagine. And what should I call him if they get married? "Kumataro" sounds like a mountain bandit, "Kuma-san" is used for common bumpkins, and "Kuma-chan" sounds like "baby bear."

  Shukichi Somiya : Well, we have to call him something.

  Masa Taguchi : That's the point. I think I'll call him "Ku-chan."

  Shukichi Somiya : "Little Vacuum"?