[2] The film takes place in post-war Japan, following a family clan through their wedding and funeral ceremonies, and the lengths the elder generation goes to preserve their traditions in spite of the damage it causes to the younger.

His grandfather dies years later, and at his memorial service Masuo is asked by his uncles to marry as quickly as possible to have another heir to the family lineage.

This is seen best with the character of Tadashi, a far-right nationalist sympathizer who coincidentally dies after attempting to interrupt Masuo's wedding ceremony.

The film also shows the lengths that the Sakurada clan goes to preserve traditions, and how they negatively affect the younger generations.

Rather than canceling the wedding, Kazuomi insists that the ceremony go through as planned, with Masuo facing the embarrassment of having to marry a nonexistent bride.

The clan's obsession with inbreeding to keep the family line pure is a reflection of the conformity, xenophobia, and racism that pervade Japanese society.

Ōshima and cinematographer Toichiru Narushima often make use of symmetrical framing and wide-angle lenses, and throughout each ceremony often track the camera in toward individuals who are talking.

Wide-angle tracking shots are often used to help establish locations, as the film does not make usage of the 180 degree rule in its editing.