Setting: A town in Western Japan during the early Showa period (late 1920s and 1930s)

Synopsis:
OHAN does not want to divorce KOKICHI who is having an affair with a geisha named OKAYO. After KOKICHI leaves her and begins to live with OKAYO, OHAN gives birth to a baby boy. Had he known that she was pregnant, he would not have deserted her.
Seven years later, KOKICHI runs into OHAN on a bridge. His passion stimulated, he invites her to his secondhand shop and makes love to her. They repeat their rendezvous. KOKICHI enjoys the thrill, and OHAN quenches her thirst for love in his embrace.
One day OHAN's little son visits KOKICHI's shop to buy a ball. It is only later that he learns the boy is his own son. He tries his best to be nice to the boy, though he refrains from calling the boy his son.
His secret dates with his ex-wife continue while OKAYO works hard and serves him faithfully. Having no children, she brings her niece from her hometown to train her as a geisha. She spends most of her time on the girl's training, leaving KOKICHI alone. Taking advantage of the opportunity, KOKICHI rents a house where he plans to live with OHAN and his son. OHAN is happy as she tells the boy the truth.
On the way to the new house, however, the boy falls in a river and drowns. OHAN's brother blames KOKICHI for the tragedy and beats him severely. It is only then that OKAYO learns KOKICHI has betrayed her. She goes to OHAN's house to get him back. His betrayal shocks OKAYO, but she knows it is part of his nature.
A letter comes from OHAN, telling KOKICHI that she will leave town alone. She confesses that she was able to enjoy his affection because she lived apart from him. Her last words are an apology to OKAYO.

Notes:
The film is based on UNO CHIYO's most important novel, a work which took her ten years to complete, and has been acclaimed as a masterpiece of modern Japanese literature. The author wrote this emotion packed love story with unique sensitivity.
The director, ICHIKAWA KON, displayed eye-catching stylistic beauty in his film version of TANIZAKI JUNICHIRO's masterpiece, "The Makioka Sisters" (SASAMEYUKI), made the year before "Ohan." With presents even more dazzling sensual beauty. Rich colorful images and Mahler's music are combined under ICHIKAWA's skillful direction to help bring to light the depths of a woman's feelings. The story of KOKICHI, a good natural but indecisive man, and his ex-wife, OHAN, is vividly conveyed through techniques unique to ICHIKAWA.