Tree Without Leaves (1986) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An aged writer reconstructs his family's financial collapse and preserves his mother's memory through recollection.

Story Structure — 6 Plot Phases

The Mountain House Memory

An aged scriptwriter lives alone in a mountain house and begins recalling his childhood in Hiroshima Prefecture. His memories introduce a wealthy family led by his landowning father.

Key Events

• Mountain House Opening — The aged scriptwriter lives alone in a remote mountain house. Location: House in the mountains
• Childhood Recollection Begins — Haru recalls growing up as the youngest child of four in a wealthy landowning family. Characters: Mother, Father Location: Family estate in Hiroshima Prefecture
• Landowner Family Prosperity — The family initially possesses wealth through Father's position as a landowner. Characters: Mother, Father Location: Family estate
• Debt Guarantee — Father guarantees another person's debts, beginning the gradual loss of the family's fortune. Characters: Father, Mother Location: Family estate

Debt Enters The Household

Father guarantees another person's debts and gradually destroys the family's financial security. The resulting passivity provokes a violent confrontation with the older brother.

Key Events

• Family Tensions Rise — The father's passive response to the financial crisis creates severe tension within the household. Characters: Mother, Father Location: Family house
• Knife Dispute — Haru's older brother confronts Father and threatens him with a knife during a violent dispute. Characters: Father, Mother Location: Family house
• Brother Leaves Home — Unable to change Father's mind, the older brother leaves the family home. Characters: Father, Mother Location: Family house
• Police Force Departure — The older brother joins the police force after leaving the household. Location: Outside the family house

A Life Recalled Through Writing

In the present, a food-delivery visitor finds Haru's draft novel and asks about his screenwriting. Haru explains that age and family memory have changed his purpose.

Key Events

• Food Delivery Visit — A woman delivering food visits aged Haru at his remote residence. Location: House in the mountains
• Unfinished Novel Found — The visitor discovers Haru's draft novel and asks whether he has stopped writing screenplays. Location: House in the mountains
• Haru Explains His Silence — Haru says he is too old and wants to preserve his mother's memory as the last surviving family member. Location: House in the mountains

Sacrifices Against Bankruptcy

The oldest sister accepts an unwanted marriage for financial help, while the younger sister leaves for the city. Their sacrifices and the dowry still cannot prevent bankruptcy.

Key Events

• Marriage Proposal Accepted — Haru's oldest sister accepts an unwanted marriage proposal to help address the family's debts. Characters: Mother, Father Location: Family estate
• Marriage Payment Demanded — The marriage is conditioned on a payment of 2,000 yen toward the family's debts. Characters: Mother, Father Location: Family estate
• Sister Leaves For City — Haru's younger sister leaves for the city, but her departure cannot prevent the family's financial collapse. Characters: Mother, Father Location: Family estate
• Dowry Fails To Save Estate — Neither the older sister's dowry nor the younger sister's departure stops the bankruptcy. Characters: Mother, Father Location: Family estate

The House Is Dismantled

The estate is sold, and Haru and his parents move into the warehouse. The main house is demolished so its usable parts can be sold.

Key Events

• Estate Sold — The family sells the estate after the bankruptcy. Characters: Mother, Father Location: Family estate
• Move Into Warehouse — Haru and his parents move into the warehouse after losing their home. Characters: Mother, Father Location: Warehouse
• Main House Demolished — The main house is demolished so its usable parts can be sold. Characters: Mother, Father Location: Family estate

A Voice Across Time

Mother dies after the family loses its home and fortune. In the present, Mother's voice calls Haru to supper, bringing the memory back to the opening image.

Key Events

• Mother Dies — Mother eventually dies after the family's loss of home and fortune. Characters: Mother, Father Location: Warehouse
• Mother's Voice Returns — In the present, aged Haru hears Mother's voice calling him to supper, recalling the opening scene. Characters: Mother Location: House in the mountains

Story Breakdown

• Mountain House Frame — The present-day setting establishes Haru's solitude and the memory-based structure.
  • Remote Solitude — Haru lives alone in a house in the mountains.
  • Memory Awakens — His present life opens into recollections of childhood in Hiroshima Prefecture.
• Family Prosperity — The childhood household begins as a wealthy landowning family.
  • Landowning Household — Haru grows up as the youngest child of four in a wealthy family.
  • Parents Together — Mother and Father remain the central parental figures in the family home.
• Debt And Conflict — Father's financial decision creates a crisis that divides the household.
  • Debt Guarantee — Father guarantees another person's debts and gradually loses the family fortune.
  • Knife Confrontation — The older brother threatens Father during a violent dispute over his inaction.
• Broken Siblings — The family's financial decline pushes the older brother and sisters toward separate futures.
  • Police Departure — The older brother leaves home and joins the police force.
  • Sister Sacrifices — One sister accepts an unwanted marriage while another leaves for the city.
• Bankruptcy And Displacement — Family sacrifices fail, resulting in the loss of the estate and home.
  • Marriage Payment — The oldest sister requires a payment of 2,000 yen to help pay family debts.
  • Estate Sold — The estate is sold after the family becomes bankrupt.
• Demolished Family Home — The family moves into a warehouse while the former home is dismantled.
  • Warehouse Life — Haru and his parents move into the warehouse after selling the estate.
  • House Demolished — The main house is demolished so its usable parts can be sold.
• Mother's Enduring Memory — Mother's death becomes the emotional center of Haru's present-day remembrance.
  • Mother Dies — Mother eventually dies after the family's decline and displacement.
  • Voice At Supper — Haru hears Mother's voice calling him to supper in the present.

Directed by

Kaneto Shindō

Key Cast

• Keiju Kobayashi — Hatsu-rojin
• Nobuko Otowa — Mother
• Ichirō Zaitsu — Father
• Meiko Kaji
• Kotoe Hatsui