The world is in turmoil with the October Revolution of 1917, riots over the inflationary price of rice, and the military expedition to Siberia in 1918. But Shinsuke, a brothel owner, spends his days in the arms of geishas, paying little heed to the events happening around him.

Ichijo Sayuri, once the legendary queen of Osaka strippers, has retired to run a sushi shop. She is awaiting her day in court after having been arrested for indecency at her farewell performance. While she was active, she was both the rival and the model for many young strippers. Harumi was one of them. Ichijo Sayuri was the real-life queen of Osaka strippers who was arrested on her final performance.

A young man named Katsu comes to a rural town by the sea, and begins to work as a movie reel carrier in a movie theater. Apparently this town is the hometown of Katsu, but no matter how many residents of the town ask, "Is it Katsu?" he just laughs. The wife of the cinema owner that has become involved with Katsu is interested in his past ...