Omomo is the older wife of Kyokutei Baken and owns the geta shop above which Hokusai and Oei live in poverty. Her death marks a major change in Kyokutei Baken's life, prompting him to adopt his literary name and devote himself fully to writing. She therefore connects the domestic and literary strands of the story.
An older woman living in reed fields with her daughter-in-law. She kills and robs wandering soldiers to trade for food, and initially tries to seduce the veteran Hachi to keep her daughter-in-law's assistance. After stealing a Hannya mask from a samurai, she wears it to frighten her daughter-in-law. The mask becomes permanently fused to her face, leading to her tragic pursuit of her fleeing daughter-in-law at the film's end.
Takako Ishikawa is a teacher living on an island in the inland sea who returns to Hiroshima during her summer holiday to visit her family's graves. She reconnects with former acquaintances, visits surviving kindergarten students, tries to help a former household servant and his grandson, and ultimately leaves Hiroshima with the child and his grandfather's ashes.
Shizu is Oyû's younger sister and the woman initially considered as a marriage prospect for Shinnosuke. Aware of the affection between her husband and Oyû, she refuses to consummate the marriage out of respect for her sister, though Oyû scolds her for this. Shizu later gives birth to her and Shinnosuke's child and dies shortly afterward.
Mother of Hachi and mother-in-law of Shige. Murdered alongside her daughter-in-law by a troop of samurai, she returns as a vengeful ghost. Making a pact with the underworld, she waits at Rajōmon, lures samurai to an illusory mansion, and kills them by tearing their throats. After Gintoki severs her arm, she disguises herself as an imperial seer to trick him during his purification ritual before vanishing.
Hama arrives at Saiko's home with her young child and claims that she was Kadota's former mistress and that Shoko is his daughter. She dies in an accident shortly afterward, leading Saiko to adopt Shoko. Her arrival exposes Kadota's past relationship and precipitates the end of his marriage to Saiko.
After her husband dies, Shigeko leaves Ueda for Tokyo with her son, Hideo, and takes a job at a ryokan. She is Hideo's mother and works for Junko's employer. Later, she runs off with a guest, leaving Hideo alone.
Jiju is Moronao's chief chambermaid, responsible for arranging his intended meeting with Kaoyo. She sends letters in his name and secretly pressures Kaoyo to accept his advances, fearing the loss of her position. After Kaoyo's death, Jiju returns with the severed head and begins laughing when it smiles.
A wife whose husband abandons her after fifteen years of marriage to live with another woman. Seeking revenge, she asks for demonic power at the Kibune Shrine and follows instructions to transform herself. She haunts the couple and tries to punish her husband, but her power falters; she ultimately becomes an invisible ghost and vows to wait for another chance.
A single mother who has left her second husband, Tamiko seeks help from her mother when her son Toshio needs surgery for a brain tumour. She marries Tajima on the condition that he pays for the operation, then works with him in his printing shop. After Toshio dies, she discovers she is pregnant and is determined to have the baby despite the danger to her health.
Gorosuke is one of the stranded crew members and, alongside Hachizo, rebels against Kamegoro’s rationing by insisting they eat their food at once. After weeks without food, he joins in killing Sankichi, then repents and begs Kamegoro for forgiveness. Rescued with the others, he later dances madly, falls into a cargo hold, and dies.
Ikuyo is Tomoko's mother, whose choices shape their troubled relationship. She leaves Tomoko with Tsuna and later sells her to a geisha house; when they meet again, Ikuyo has become a prostitute. She marries again, including her former servant Hachirô, and lives with Tomoko in a cellar amid the ruins of Tokyo before dying in a traffic accident.
Nobuko Otowa has 165 screen credits in a career dating back to 1950. Their work spans 5 cinematic universes — most prominently Ten Duels of Young Shingo Trilogy with 3 titles. Signature works include Onibaba, Life of a Woman, Children of Hiroshima. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
Universe traveler — spans 5 universes
