Sociocultural shift in Japanese life

It is the dawn of a new century in post-feudal Japan as the lovers Satoko and Kiyoaki discover each other. Playmates as children growing up in the same household (but unrelated), their passion quickly blossoms into love as the two reach adulthood. In 1912, marriages among the aristocracy are still arranged by families seeking to perpetuate and increase their power and prestige. As the pair of lovers are consumed by fire, Satoko becomes engaged to a prince she hardly knows and does not respect, much less love. The families must petition the emperor on behalf of their heirs for permission to allow them to wed, and the engagement proclamation makes front page news in the local papers.

Meanwhile, Kiyoaki and Satoko meet furtively and often with the assistance of Satoko's servant woman Tadeshina and Kiyoaki's friend Honda. Thus the stage is set for high drama...