The characters here take a much more proactive approach. The striking sets, dramatic photography, and haunting images add pathos to the wrenching human drama. The film opens on a quiet forest scene. Tamaki's husband, Taira no Masauji, a local governor, has refused to allow soldiers to be sent to his area because of the difficulties it would cause his peasants. Although the peasants rally to find a way to support him, the governor is sent into exile at Tsukushi.
Men are created equal, everyone is entitled happiness.
He makes Zushio repeat this lesson and gives him a family heirloom, the image of the Goddess of Mercy. At present, the four cannot find lodging. Due to the prevalence of local slave-traders and bandits the region's governor has forbidden anyone to give shelter to strangers. The family and their nurse set up camp, but in the middle of the night a woman claiming to be a priestess invites them to stay with her. At her home, the priestess advises them to travel by sea rather than land and offers to hire reliable boatmen for them the next morning.