Set in Osaka in the 18th century, the film centers on the doomed romance between Jihei (Kichiemon Nakamura), a down and out married paper merchant passionately in love with doe-eyed courtesan Koharu (Shima Iwashita), whom he cannot afford to buy out of servitude. Koharu herself has also fallen in love with Jihei; she even starts turning away other patrons to be with him. Their love is further imperiled by Tahei (Hosei Komatsu), a rich, obnoxious merchant who flaunts his ability to buy Koharu's indenture. Suicide is the only way for the two to be together.
Kichiemon Nakamura | Jihei | |
Shima Iwashita | Koharu and Osan | |
Hôsei Komatsu | Tahei | |
Yûsuke Takita | Mogoemon | |
Kamatari Fujiwara | Owner of the Yamatoya | |
Yoshi Katô | Gosaemon |
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