Geisha O-Mocha (Isuzu Yamada) rejects the traditional rules of her profession, choosing instead to look out for herself by finding new patrons to elevate her position in life. Meanwhile, her geisha sister Umekichi (Yoko Umemura) remains loyal to a bankrupt former patron. But both paths lead to ruin, as the bankrupt man betrays Umekichi and a wronged client seeks revenge on O-Mocha in this poignant Japanese classic from director Kenji Mizoguchi.