Desk
After coming home to find his desk has been moved, Koichi's son demands it be moved back so he can study. This represents the younger generations lack of respect for their elders, and this particular instance shows a lack of respect for two generations as he is yelling at his mother about an inanimate object needing to take priority over his grandparents.
Old Wooden Sandals
As Tomi and Shukichi leave for the public bathes Shige tells her mother to take her wooden shoes. The "old" ones she tells her to take. The symbol is that Shige has very little respect nor honor for her mother in how she provides for her.
Landmarks
Noriko is showing Shukichi and Tomi the city and we see one scene where they ask her to point out Shige and Koichi's houses to them. Then they want to see where Noriko's home is. Ozu has it in the complete opposite direction as the sibling's homes. The symbol is that Norkio is the exact opposite of the two siblings and how they treat their parents.
Smoke Stacks
Throughout the film, Ozu cuts to an image of smoke stacks. This image symbolizes Tokyo as each time we see it it is just prior to the characters entering the city. It represents the progress through industry as well as the pollution it puts into the atmosphere.
Bird in the Light
As Tomi lies in a coma Ozu shows us the image of a bird flying into a light. The symbol is that Tomi is either fighting for her life or she is heading towards the light at the end of it.
