Character Relationship Map: Yearning

Characters

• Reiko Morita (played by Hideko Takamine) — protagonist

  An 18-year war widow running a grocery shop in her deceased husband's family house. She faces pressure from her sisters-in-law to convert the store. After rejecting Koji's romantic confession, she dec...

• Koji Morita (played by Yūzō Kayama) — protagonist

  A 25-year-old brother-in-law who regularly gets into drunken fights. He is the only family member supporting Reiko and confesses his love to her, which she rejects. He follows her on a train, approach...

• Hisako Morizono (played by Mitsuko Kusabue) — supporting
• Ruriko (played by Mie Hama) — supporting
• Mr. Murata (played by Yutaka Sada) — supporting
• Shizu Morita (played by Aiko Mimasu) — supporting
• Mrs. Kaga (played by Chieko Nakakita) — minor
• Takako Morita (played by Yumi Shirakawa) — minor
• Mr. Nomizo (played by Yū Fujiki) — supporting
• Shopkeeper (uncredited) (played by Haruo Nakajima) — minor
• Mr. Morizono (played by Kazuo Kitamura) — supporting
• Mr. Okamoro (played by Hisao Toake) — supporting
• Bar Madam (played by Kumeko Urabe) — supporting
• Mr. Kaga (played by Kan Yanagiya) — supporting

Story Analysis

A widow's struggle for independence clashes with familial duty and unrequited love, ending in tragic acceptance.

Plot Progression

1. The Family Grocery
2. Confession and Rejection
3. The Journey and The Inn
4. Tragedy and Acceptance