| Director | Kenji Mizoguchi |
|---|
Genjūrō, a farmer from the village of Nakanogō on the shore of Lake Biwa in Ōmi Province during the Sengoku period, makes pottery and sells it in town alongside his brother-in-law, Tōbei, who dreams of becoming a samurai. When Shibata Katsuie's army sweeps through the village and forces the villagers to flee, Genjūrō persists in working to finish his pottery, intending on making a profit in nearby Ōmizo.
As Genjūrō, Tōbei and their wives travel toward Ōmizo across Lake Biwa, they encounter a boat carrying a dying man, who warns them of pirates. Miyagi, Genjūrō's wife, is returned to the shore with their young son, Genichi, while Tōbei's wife, Ohama, decides to accompany the men. In Ōmizo, Genjūrō's pottery sells well. After taking his share of the profits, Tōbei purchases samurai armor and sneaks into an army camp. Becoming lost while searching for him, Ohama is captured by a group of soldiers and raped.
, the setting of Ugetsu.]]
A noblewoman, Lady Wakasa, and her female servant visit Genjūrō, ordering several pieces of pottery and requesting that he deliver them to her mansion. There, he learns that the women are the only survivors of the Kutsuki clan following a massacre by Oda Nobunaga's army, and that Wakasa's father haunts the mansion. Wakasa seduces Genjūrō and convinces him to marry her. Meanwhile back in Nakanogō, soldiers desperately searching for food accost Miyagi and stab her. She collapses with her son still clutching her back.
Tōbei steals the head of a defeated general and presents it to the commander of the victors, earning himself a retinue. Later, he rides into town on his new horse, eager to return home to show his wife. Stopping by a brothel, he finds her working there as a prostitute. Tōbei begs for her forgiveness and promises to redeem her honor.
Genjūrō meets a priest who tells him to return to his loved ones or accept death. When Genjūrō mentions Wakasa, the priest reveals that she is dead and performs a ritual with Genjūrō, painting Sanskrit symbols on his body. Returning to the mansion, Genjūrō admits that he is married, has a child, and wishes to go home. Wakasa and her servant concede that they are spirits, returned to this world so Wakasa, who was slain before experiencing love, could fulfill that desire. Wakasa attempts to stop him from leaving but cannot touch him due to the presence of the symbols. Genjūrō reaches for a sword, throws himself out of the manor, and collapses.
Genjūrō wakes up the next day and finds himself in the middle of a ruin. He is accused of stealing the sword by soldiers, which he denies, insisting it is from the Kutsuki mansion. The soldiers inform him that the mansion had long been destroyed, confiscate his money, but spare him imprisonment as the prison has burned down. Genjūrō returns home and is reunited with an overjoyed Miyagi, to whom he admits that he has made a terrible mistake. He holds Genichi his arms and falls asleep. The next morning, Genjūrō is awakened by the village chief. The chief, surprised to see him home, explains that he has been caring for Genichi after Miyagi was stabbed to death.
Later, Tōbei returns to Nakanogō with Ohama. He reflects on his mistakes and resolves to work hard from then on. Genjūrō continues caring for Genichi and working on his pottery. Ohama gives Genichi a plate of food, which he takes and places on his mother's grave.