Movie depicts the later life of poet Issa Kobayashi. At the age of 50, he goes back to his hometown. Two years later, he marries 28-year-old Kiku. The couple go on to have three sons and one daughter, but their children all die at early ages. Due to inheritance issues with his father's property, Issa comes into conflict with his stepmother Satsu and his younger stepbrother Senroku.