Ochoyan

1916. Chiyo Takei is born to a poor family in Minami Kawachi, Osaka. Having lost her mother at a young age, she lives with her drunk father Teruo and her younger brother Yoshio. Chiyo is a clever girl, but instead of going to school, she must take care of her brother and the family chickens. The other children tease her behind her back. One day, Teruo brings home a new mother, Kuriko. (C)NHK

Chiyo is thrilled when her father, Teruo, brings home a new mother, Kuriko, thinking she can go to school now. However, instead of housework, all Kuriko does is lie around the house. Not only that, she steals a snack that Chiyo had brought home for Yoshio, deepening the rift between them. That night, Teruo runs out of the house in a panic. Where has Kuriko gone to...? (C)NHK

In order to bring Kuriko back, Teruo decides to sell his prized rooster Ryuseimaru to bring in some cash. He brings Chiyo along to the luxurious home of a glass factory owner where a selection of birds are being evaluated. There, Chiyo sees the most glorious roosters she has ever seen, but the factory owner is not impressed. Soon, it's Ryuseimaru's turn... (C)NHK

Thanks to the factory owner, Teruo and Chiyo were able to sell their prize rooster. They go home in high spirits to find Kuriko alone. Yoshio is nowhere to be found. The next morning, the entire village searches for him. Chiyo begs to be part of the search team. Why did Yoshio go into the mountains alone? As Chiyo thinks, she spots Yoshio's shoe along the cliff. Then, Chiyo gets lost too... (C)NHK

Kuriko is pregnant, and she suggests sending Chiyo and Yoshio away to an apprenticeship. Angry, Chiyo plots to make her leave, but feels conflicted when she realizes there are people who love Kuriko. Plus, she's shocked to learn that Yoshio got lost in the mountains out of care for Kuriko. Not feeling like she belongs and wanting the best for Yoshio, she asks her father his true feelings... (C)NHK

Chiyo Takei arrives at Dotonbori. Everything about it is so glamorous. Her apprenticeship is at the theater tea house Okayasu. The woman in charge, Shizu Okada, instructs Chiyo that she has a month to learn everything about being a maidservant, or "ochako." Her duties include cooking, laundry, and other errands. Chiyo's busy ochako apprenticeship in Dotonbori has just begun. (C)NHK