A maiko, or geisha apprentice, in Kyoto is practicing her skills and art looking forward to participating in an upcoming festival. Her mother is the mistress of a married man who loses his business. His wife dies and he is left with two daughters. To make ends meet the five have to move in together. The man's older daughter finds a rich man, marries and moves out. The remaining sister despises the maiko and her mother. Nevertheless, the maiko, who has given up on the festival due to her lack of funds, collects some money for the younger sister.—aghaemi