Hikaru Kawa

Synopsis

Set in 1958 during Japan’s period of rapid economic growth, “Hikaru Kawa” follows the story of Yuucha, a young boy living with his grandmother in a mountain village. At the end of summer vacation, a traveling kamishibai performer visits the village and tells a tragic love story that has been passed down through generations. It tells the tale of a village girl, who, devastated by her unrequited love for a woodturner from the mountain folk, drowns herself in the river, and her tears are said to have caused a great flood. After experiencing a mysterious synchronicity with the kamishibai story, Yuucha desires to prevent a flood threatening his family in the present day and free the girl’s soul, which remains trapped in sorrow. Following an ancient legend, he journeys upstream toward a deep pool in the depths of the mountains.

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