In the middle of the Meiji era, Japanese painter Rogin goes on a trip to draw a bijin-ga, and he accidentally rescues a salt merchant. The salt merchant describes an out-of-this-world beauty he once loved. This is the prologue to the drama “Suiko,” a tale of humans and nature.
Director
Screenplay
Status
Released
Original Language
JA

Down-on-his-luck veteran Tsugumo Hanshirō enters the courtyard of the prosperous House of Iyi. Unemployed, and with no family, he hopes to find a place to commit seppuku—and a worthy second to deliver the coup de grâce in his suicide ritual. The senior counselor for the Iyi clan questions the ronin’s resolve and integrity, suspecting Hanshirō of seeking charity rather than an honorable end. What follows is a pair of interlocking stories which lay bare the difference between honor and respect, and promises to examine the legendary foundations of the Samurai code.

A group of travelers is stranded in a small country inn when the river floods during heavy rains. As the bad weather continues, tensions rise amongst the trapped travelers.