Akiko Nomura

Hamajima is a quiet, hard-working man, whose life changes drastically when he reunites with a lovely childhood friend and her strange little boy.

Follows the fluctuating fortunes of three wanderers who travel through feudal Japan selling their services to whichever lord will fill their rice bowls.

Traveling salesman Kuruma Torajiro falls in love with an inn manager as New Year's approaches.

Follows railway workers' struggles to create unions during a period of economic growth and increased automation.