Ito no Mori no Ie (2015)

Ito no Mori no Ie 2015 / いとの森の家 2015 /

Housewife Kanako leads an unfulfilling, hurried life in Tokyo. One day, Sakiko, who had been a close friend, suddenly calls her and insists that she come to Itoshima in Fukuoka Prefecture for a class reunion. It has been 35 years since Kanako spent a year there during fourth grade. The place holds many memories for her. She transferred to Itoshima from Tokyo and immediately made friends with Sakiko. They were always together and forgot time as they played around the forest and sea. Reliving Itoshima’s environment reminds Kanako of the sparkling feeling she experienced every day at that time. She also unexpectedly recalls the old lady Oharu-san who lived alone deep in the forest and seemed to be the personification of nature. Cats and children were free to come in and out of Oharu-san’s house and she had been interacting with prisoners on death row without being noticed. Kanako remembers posing all sorts of questions like what she thinks about prisoners on death row and what happens to people who die as well as the life lessons Oharu-san taught in the mysterious forest. In the middle of this peaceful time, Sakiko tells Kanako the real reason why she called her to Itoshima. This unforeseen confession leaves Kanako lost for words. In addition, she is told about Oharu-san’s sudden disappearance from the village after she transferred to the school. Cruel rumours about suicide had flown about but what is the truth? Kanako follows the tracks of Oharu-san who had faced life and death and tries to find their own living clues. Oharu-san’s hidden past and the message that she left to them are revealed. ~~ Adapted from the novel ‟Ito no Mori no Ie‟ by Higashi Naoko.