A coming-of-age story portrayed as the loss of all youthful illusions. Sixteen-year-old Yoichi dreams of becoming a sailor. His parents are fishmongers, and Yoichi lives together with them and his four siblings in cramped living conditions. His beloved younger sister is given to a wealthy, childless uncle; his best friend moves away; the girl he fell in love with from afar is with someone else: little by little, Yoichi loses all the people that are important to him.
as Yôichi Akimoto
as Yôichi's mother, Oshin
as Sudô
as Yôichi's older sister, Toyoko
as Seiji's mother, Kiyo
as Yôichi's father, Genkichi
as Seiji's father, Haruo
as Yôichi's younger sister, Kazue
as Seiji Harada
