A widowed professor and devoted father who lives with his unmarried daughter. He encourages her to marry, falsely claims he intends to remarry a widow to persuade her, and ultimately returns home alone after her wedding.
Shukichi is a retired father from Onomichi who travels to Tokyo with his wife, Tomi, to visit their adult children. He is disappointed by their lack of time, drinks with old friends, and later faces Tomi’s death. He remains in Onomichi, accepting the solitude of widowhood while expressing gratitude to Noriko.
Keitaro Hayashi is the boys’ father and part of the household affected by their demand for a television. When Minoru throws a tantrum, he asks the boys to keep quiet. Later, he and the family acquire a television, helping end the children’s protest.
Religious authority figure at local temples, often officiates matchmaking rituals or community ceremonies.
The widowed protagonist and former mathematics teacher. After blaming himself for a student drowning, he quits teaching and works as a Tokyo clerk to fund his son's education. He dies of a heart attack after a school reunion.
The Principal is the head of the local school and feels honored by Lily Carmen's presence as a celebrated artist. After the performance, he receives money handed over by Kin Aoyama's father and promises to use it to provide the villagers with an artistic education.
An elderly patriarch who travels with his family during their difficult relocation to Hokkaido. The journey exposes tension between him and Seiichi, but Tamiko defends him when Seiichi speaks harshly, and Seiichi later asks him to continue with the family. His wish to return home underscores the emotional cost of leaving the island.
Local dignitary or historical figure, adds cultural depth to the narrative.
A policeman is among the officers pursuing Tokiko and Jyoji. As the couple embrace after Tokiko shoots Jyoji, the police close in on them. The summary does not distinguish this officer from the other listed policeman or provide further details about his actions.
Tashiro is a street fortune teller who shares a house with Tamekichi. After finding Kohei separated from his father, he brings the boy home and helps return him after Kohei runs away. At the end, he reads Tane’s palm and advises her where she might look for another child to adopt.
Ryôen Toba is Mikako's father, a former Buddhist priest. After Mikako dies, he performs a wedding ceremony for his deceased daughter and Rentarō, fulfilling the marriage Rentarō had vowed to make. His actions connect Mikako's death to Rentarō's grief and the story's closing events.
Nanmura is a soldier staying at the remote spa who steps on Emi's ornamental hairpin in an outdoor bath and must extend his stay. He undergoes daily exercises to regain his health, supported by Emi and the children. His growing affection for Emi is complicated by his expected return to military service.
Chishū Ryū has 294 screen credits in a career dating back to 1928. Their work spans 9 cinematic universes — most prominently Tora-san Series with 46 titles. Signature works include Late Spring, Tokyo Story, An Autumn Afternoon. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
Universe traveler — spans 9 universes
Related entry on Wikidata (Q958714), public domain (CC0).
