The Sound of Waves

After fishing the next day, Shinji stops at the Yashiro Shrine on his way to the lighthouse to give thanks to the sea-god for blessing him. After praying at the shrine, Shinji looks out on the ocean. He feels a deep connection to the “opulence of nature” all around him as he breathes deeply and listens to the waves. He slowly makes his way toward the lighthouse, excited yet nervous about meeting Hatsue there.

The lighthouse-keeper and his wife have taken Hatsue into their hearts as if she were their own child. They do have a daughter of their own, Chiyoko, who attends university in Tokyo and visits the island only rarely. In her absence, the lighthouse-keeper and his wife have opened their home to local girls for etiquette lessons. The well-read, chatty wife and the stern lighthouse-keeper often argue—but they respect one another deeply and remain devoted to each other.

Hatsue arrives at the lighthouse with a gift of sea cucumbers, even though no etiquette lesson is scheduled for the day. She visits with the lighthouse-keeper’s wife, who, much to Hatsue’s embarrassment, asks Hatsue about her romantic life. To change the subject, Hatsue volunteers to help make supper. While Hatsue helps prepare the meal, Shinji knocks at the door with two fish for the lighthouse-keeper and his wife. As Shinji enters, the lighthouse-keeper’s wife tells Shinji that Chiyoko has written a letter asking about him—the lighthouse-keeper’s wife suggests Chiyoko has feelings for Shinji. Shinji, embarrassed, leaves the house quickly. Hatsue becomes quiet.

Shinji decides to wait for Hatsue along the path down to the village from the lighthouse. He stares into the sea as he considers scaring her when she walks past. When he hears her footsteps approach, however, he decides to announce himself by whistling. Hatuse walks right past him. Shinji calls out for her, but she doesn’t turn around. Hatsue walks into a small forest, using a flashlight to light her way. Shinji follows her. Hatsue trips and falls, and Shinji helps her up. Shinji asks if Hatsue was upset with him before. She says that the rumors about him and Chiyoko upset her, but Shinji insists that he has no feelings for Chiyoko. Hatsue is relieved.

As Shinji walks Hatsue back to the village, he tells her about his dreams of working hard, saving money, and buying a lumber freighter that he and Hiroshi can use to get into the shipping business and take care of their mother financially. No matter how successful he gets in life, he says, he hopes to come back to Uta-jima at the end of his life to help preserve its beauty and its community. Hatsue listens intently to Shinji’s dreams for the future. They do not hold hands or touch as they walk—it seems to both of them that what happened yesterday between them on the beach was some “undreamed of event, brought about by some force outside themselves.” As they approach the village, they take different paths home.