It is 1948. Japan is rebuilding her cities after the calamity of World War Two, her people looking to the future. The celebrated artist, Masuji Ono, fills his days attending to his garden, his house repairs, his two grown daughters and his grandson. His should be a tranquil retirement. But as his memories continually return to the past - to a life and career deeply touched by Japanese militarism - a dark shadow begins to grow over his serenity.