This collection of meaningful excerpts comes directly from the Barefoot Gen movie quotes, offering glimpses into the lives and thoughts of characters amidst the devastating backdrop of wartime Japan.
Inspirational and Motivational Quotes
“So, let the wheat be an example to you, my boys. It survives. The rain pounds it, the wind blows it… it’s crushed beneath people’s feet… but still the wheat spreads its roots and grows.”
“You know, sometimes it takes more courage… not to fight than to fight, to not want to kill… when all around you are calling out for blood. That’s real courage in my book.”
“If you boys remember nothing else that I teach you… I hope you’ll remember that, all right?”
“It’s up to you to look after your mother and the baby from now on. They’re going to need you, boy. I know you’ll do your best.”
“We’ll do it ourselves. You and me, Mother? But that’s impossible! You must try, my boy.”
“Take a good look around, little one. Look closely. You see? This is the war that killed your father. Remember it.”
“We’re going to be OK. Trust me. I’ve already started planning what to do. And I know the first thing we’re going to need… a house.”
Quotes on Family and Love
“You do my mother and me great honor by coming here… and wishing me well in my service to the emperor.”
“Mother needs to be strong for the baby that’s coming.”
“I just wanted to say I love you, Father. Yeah, I want to say I love you, too, Father.”
“Don’t be silly, Mother. You’re not well, and you’re eating for two now.”
“Shinji, what did you say to make Mother cry? All I did was ask if I could suck on the fish bones… when she was done with them.”
“I admire the boys. Such high spirits. Such devotion to you and their mother. You have good sons there, Nakaoka.”
“Mother, leave the washing to me. You’re still not well.”
“Your father, sister, and brother… they’ve all been taken away from us, haven’t they? That’s right. All of them are dead, Mother.”
“I hope she always has friends. Lots and lots of friends. Why don’t we call her Tomoko? Yes. That means friend. Very good.”
Quotes on the Harsh Realities of War
“Grown men fighting over a bowl of soup. If they’re gonna fight, it should be over some fish.”
“It’s a terrible thing… having to watch children go hungry. And what’s worse, there’s hardly any food to be bought… even if we had the money.”
“Why do we keep on fighting if we’ve lost the war? Why? Because our government is run by madmen. They’re just stupid, crazy. All of them.”
“This war can’t be right… but it’s only the cowards like me who dare say it. If there were only a few more like us.”
“They’re all burning up…. My family… burning. They’re burning like a bonfire.”
“This is the war that killed your father. Remember it.”
“The fierce craving to quench their thirst was the one overpowering instinct that kept many alive after the blast, but when given water, their thirst quenched at last. Many gave up the struggle and died on the spot.”
“Frankly, son, I don’t know what we’re going to do. I’m finding it difficult to think clearly.”
“Everybody’s dead. Everything’s gone. How come you’re shivering when it’s so hot?”
“God help us. Is it possible that one bomb could have done all this?”
Quotes Reflecting Loss and Grief
“Father, sister, and brother… they’ve all been taken away from us, haven’t they? That’s right. All of them are dead, Mother.”
“Tell me, why now? Why not before?”
“My name is Ryuta Kondo. I haven’t eaten all week. Then I smelled your food. And I was so hungry. I-.”
“Where’s your family, Ryuta? They were all killed in the explosion.”
“No, of course you aren’t. He’s dead.”
Quotes Showing Resilience and Hope
“We’ve got work to do first.”
“Something will come along. We’ll find the money. We just have to keep at it and finish our work.”
“Well, we’ll do it ourselves.”
“I won’t ever let you die. You won’t have to worry. I’ll protect you!”
“We’re going to be OK. Trust me. I’ve already started planning what to do.”
“Somehow it seems like he belongs here.”
“Well, you know we’re having a difficult enough time making ends meet as it is… but still, if Shinji were alive…”
Quotes Displaying Childhood Innocence
“I’m still hungry. I am, too.”
“I’m gonna eat so much bread! Bread and bread and bread until I throw up. Noodles! I’m gonna eat noodles till I burst!”
“We’re sick of that dumb ol’ story.”
“I’m so hungry I’m dizzy. I’m so hungry… I could eat a whole goat!”
“Father, can we have some soup, too?”
“What’s to eat? I’m starving.”
“Sweet potato!”
“Aren’t ya gonna share it? No!”
“Look at it all! And see? Noodles… lots of ’em! Where? Real noodles?”
“Suppose you want one to land on your head… is that what you want? Bet it’s just another spy plane. They never drop bombs on us. We’re too boring.”
“Hey, Gen, is Mother gonna die? Oh, no! Mother’s dying, isn’t she? Shinji, shut up! Mother’s not going to die.”
“She’s got my little brother in her tummy!”
“Look at all the carp. And they’re so big.”
“I think I caught one. That was fast. He must be hungry, too. He almost pulled me in! He’s a big one! Really big!”
“Don’t forget to tell Father who caught it.”
“Hey, isn’t it time we came up with a name for her?”
“Look across the river. Everyday, I see more and more fires.”
“What are you talking about? My hair…”
“Don’t let it happen to me, Mother! I don’t want to die!”
“Don’t cry, Tomoko. Hush now, hush.”
“She needs milk, not this porriage.”
“You look just like my little brother.”
“Here. You can have my rice, if you want it. Go on. Take it. You mean I can have all of it? Sure. Slow down. You’ll make yourself sick.”
“Mother, he even behaves like Shinji. See?”
“Hmm, is there any more?”
Funny Quotes
“We’re sick of that dumb ol’ story. Sick of it, are you? Yay! Yay! Ha ha ha ha ha! Yay! Yay! Ayee! Ayee! Hiyah!”
“You should’ve thought of that before you got so fat.”
“Hey, this baby doesn’t look like me. I guess it’s a girl, Mother, but it really looks like a monkey. All babies do. You did, too. Well, I guess she’ll turn out to be real pretty then.”
“Remember, old man, if you lie, you’ll go straight to hell. Funny, I was just about to say the same thing to you two.”
“I ought to let him join our platoon. I might give him a medal.”
“Hey, I think you wet your pants. Shut up, you stupid little brat! What are you talking about? Blood! Must’ve sat in something. Hey, somebody cut funny holes in your hair! Listen, kid, I’ll cut holes in you, if you don’t… My God. What’s happening?”
“Damn it! Damn it! Huh? What’s this? Rice! But it looks like charcoal. This must’ve been some kind of storehouse. What a waste! All this rice for people to eat and it’s been burnt to a crisp! Damn it! This looks fine. I found a gold mine! Ha! There’s more rice than we’ll be able to eat! Ha ha!”
“Will you relax? He really looks like Shinji.”
“Mother, he even behaves like Shinji. See?”
“Hmm, is there any more?”