Mother

Tamiko (Nobuko Otowa) is a single mother. Her son Toshio (Koji Takahashi) is going blind. He is diagnosed with a brain tumour. She does not have the money for surgery. She asks her mother Yoshie (Haruko Sugimura) for money. Yoshie refuses but arranges a marriage with another single parent, Tajima (Taiji Tonoyama) on condition he pays for the surgery. Tamiko marries Tajima and works with him in his printing business. Toshio is operated on and recovers. However, the tumour returns. The surgeon (Kei Sato) refuses to operate, saying that another operation would be fatal, and tells Tamiko to make Toshio's remaining life enjoyable. Toshio starts learning braille. Tamiko's brother Haruo lends her money to buy an electric organ for Toshio. Haruo, a barman, is involved in various fights over women, and finally dies in an attempt to kill a rival. Toshio dies of the tumour. Tamiko discovers she is pregnant and is determined to have the baby, even if it is dangerous to her health.