[3][4] The film opens with a conversation between a barber and his customer about the Nadaya food store across the street which, in their words, is "going downhill" since the former owner Keisaku retired and his son Kenkichi took over.

While Kenkichi's more modern daughter Kimiko lives a life of ease, the more traditional Kunie is working in her father's store.

Now that his wife has died, Kenkichi offers his mistress Oyo to move into their house, a plan endorsed by Kunie but opposed by Kimiko.

Kimiko refuses to accept the truth and makes preparations to leave the house.

At this moment the police arrive and ask Kenkichi to follow them to the station for an interrogation, as he had cut the sake sold in his store.