Kikunosuke Onoe, generally called Kiku, is the adopted son of a famous Tokyo kabuki actor, and is training to succeed his father in an illustrious career. Whilst hypocritically praising Onoe's acting to his face, the rest of his father's troupe deride him behind his back. Otoku, who lives at the father's house as the young wet-nurse of the infant son of the father's natural son, is the only one frank enough to disclose his artistic shortcomings and urge him to improve himself. When Otoku is dismissed by Kiku's family for her over-closeness to the young master, with the potential for scandal, Kiku tracks her down and states that he wishes to marry her. His family is outraged and Kiku is forced to leave Tokyo, taking the train to Nagoya, honing his art away from his father, much to the latter's wrath.
One year later, Kiku is acting alongside his uncle, Tamiro Naritaya in Osaka, but remains dissatisfied. Then Otoku tracks down Kiku and re-inspires him. She becomes his common law wife and continues to encourage him. When his uncle dies, he is fired and forced to join a travelling troupe and their times together become even harder. Four years later, we see Kiku and Otoku on the road, their fellow actors squabbling over small amounts of money. Kiku has changed in character to the point where he even strikes her. She still loves him, but his love has clearly faded. Their position worsens and Otoku becomes very sick.
Otoku goes to meet Kiku's brother to beg that he be given an acting role in Tokyo, re-using the famous family name. He agrees that Kiku can play the part he was due to play on two conditions: one, that his acting has improved; two, that he and Otoku separate, as this is needed to reconcile with their father. Fuku returns with Otoku to fetch Kiku.
Kiku gives a bravura performance of Sumizome, a difficult and critical female role. He has at last found his niche and the fame he had always sought as a kabuki actor. Otoku watches sadly from the wings, but she is happy for him. The family agree that Kiku may perform in Tokyo. As Kiku boards the train to Tokyo Otoku cannot be found, and Fuku hands him a letter from her, explaining everything. His companions explain that he must continue to Tokyo in order to make Otoku's sacrifice worthwhile. He is a success.
The Tokyo troupe visit Osaka and have a triumphant welcome. Kiku's father says that Kiku may take pride of place in the river parade after the performance. The landlord comes and tells Kiku that Otoku is ill and will die that night. Kiku hesitates as it is his evening of glory, but his father forces him, saying how much Otoku helped him. Ultimately Kiku's father accepts Kiku's marriage to Otoku and Kiku tells her this, but this reconciliation comes only when she is already on her deathbed (due, by implication, to tuberculosis). Proud that he is at last happy, she urges him to join the river parade because the audience is waiting to see and praise him.
She dies, while the theater's parade led by her husband can be heard in the distance.
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