Morikawa no Shi’s wife, Utudaru, hasn’t heard from him since he left to work in the Ogimi 12 years ago. When her son, Tsirumatsi, comes to visit, the pair decide to go and look for him together.

The mother and son reach Tsuha village in Ogimi. They meet a monkey trainer on the road and are shown a monkey performance. They pass an old man gathering firewood and ask if he knows of Morikawa no Shi. He talks in detail of  Morikawa no Shi and tells them if they go to Taminato Village they may be able to find news about him. The mother and son meet a flower seller in Taminato Village. The flower seller turns out to be a very ragged Morikawa no Shi. He is embarrassed by his appearance, runs and hides in a shabby old house. He is told by Utudaru to return to Shuri, and  reunite with his family. He decides to go home to Shuri.