Shige is Shukichi and Tomi’s eldest daughter and runs a hairdressing salon in Tokyo. She is too busy to spend much time with her parents, sends them to a hot spring spa, and later asks for Tomi’s clothes soon after the funeral. She also reacts angrily when Shukichi’s drinking recalls painful aspects of her childhood.
The widowed professor's sister and the young woman's aunt. She believes her niece should marry, proposes a suitable match, and also attempts to arrange a remarriage for her brother in order to remove her niece's objections.
Kikue Haraguchi is the neighborhood club chairwoman. She denies receiving the monthly dues, then confronts Tamiko Hayashi after hearing that Tamiko spread a damaging rumor. After discovering that the money was given to her forgetful mother, she recognizes her mistake and apologizes.
Noge's mother and a rural farmer. Initially distant, she eventually works alongside Yukie in the rice fields. After neighbors vandalize their crops, she finally accepts Yukie as her daughter-in-law, acknowledging her dedication and sincerity.
Oyoshi is Komajuro's former mistress and the owner of a small eatery in the seaside town. She has raised Kiyoshi, who does not know Komajuro is his father, and urges Komajuro to reveal the truth so they can live as a family. After Komajuro leaves, she tells Kiyoshi to let his father go.
Noriko's boss who acts as a catalyst for the marriage plot by suggesting she wed a 40-year-old bachelor, reflecting workplace and societal pressures.
Central protagonist. An elderly, active widowed actress staying in the countryside. She hosts friends, confronts a violent intruder, and ultimately learns of her maid's long-held secret regarding her late husband. She reflects on mortality, prepares for her own death, and returns to Tokyo.
Kin is a retired geisha who has become a moneylender and merciless businesswoman. She insists that her former geisha sisters repay their debts, rejects requests from Seki and Tabe, and considers buying rural land with advice from Itaya. Her final journey with Itaya reflects her continuing focus on money and property.
Yoshie is Tamiko's mother. When Tamiko asks her for money to pay for Toshio's brain tumour surgery, Yoshie refuses to provide it and instead arranges a marriage between Tamiko and Tajima, with payment for the operation as a condition. Her decision helps set Tamiko's new family circumstances in motion.
Tamio's mother, whose troubling behavior prompts him to ask a researcher from Peace University to check on her. After visiting the family, the researcher recommends psychiatric care and explains that mental illness is common and that treatment need not be frightening. The researcher later disputes that she is the family member who is mentally ill.
Oiwa's sister, who rejects rumors that Oiwa willingly abandoned her husband and helps preserve her reputation.
Otoko's Mother is closely involved in the aftermath of Otoko Ueno’s affair with Toshio Ôki. After Otoko became pregnant, suffered a miscarriage, and attempted suicide, she spent months in a mental institution. Her mother tried to persuade Toshio to marry Otoko and later revealed his infidelity to Fumiko Ôki.
Haruko Sugimura has 122 screen credits in a career dating back to 1932. Their work spans 5 cinematic universes — most prominently The Yotsuya Ghost Story Collection with 2 titles. Signature works include Tokyo Story, Late Spring, A Last Note. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
Universe traveler — spans 5 universes
