Kikunosuke (Shotaro Hanayagi) was adopted as an infant by a legendary kabuki actor (Gonjuro Kawarazaki) and is being groomed to follow in his theatrical footsteps. Though his fellow troupe members publicly praise him, they privately sneer at his lackluster performances. Otoku (Kakuko Mori), his stepbrother's wet nurse, is the only one willing to tell Kikunosuke the truth. When his father fires Otoku, Kikunosuke leaves home, and with her encouragement, tries to become a great actor.