쇼난 해안의 작은 집은 사토 일가의 보금자리다. 가장 쇼이치는 도쿄의 회사에 다니는 평범한 샐러리맨이고, 아내 야스코는 아들과 가사를 돌보기에 바쁘다. 집 대출금을 마련한다는 명목으로 쇼이치는 회사 부장에게 여름 동안 집을 빌려 주고, 야스코는 아들을 데리고 가루이자와의 친정으로 간다. 다사다난했던 여름이 지나고, 쇼난의 집으로 돌아온 사토 일가의 생활은 언제나처럼 계속된다.
The humorous tale of Jimbei, a miller, and his wife Osen who live in complete happiness. But Osen's beauty attracts numerous would-be lovers among whom is the local governor, a timid creature, who is dominated by his high-born and beautiful wife, who dresses in a scarlet battle-tunic, a sign of his family's military merit around which he fabricates fantastic tales of his prowess in war. During the traditional festival when the villagers are released from observance of all social customs and restrictions, it is permissible for any man to attempt win the favors of the one he loves. However, the timid but romantic governor goes to the length of having the miller arrested to clear the way for his seduction of Osen. But Osen fights off his advances with an old hunting gun and dashes out of the mill. Jimbei, meanwhile, has escaped from jail and dashes home to finds the governor in his bed. Convinced that his wife has been violated, he decides to take an eye for an eye.
