Mother Water

Blessed with several large rivers interconnected streams and springs Japans ancient capital Kyoto anoints the land with a bountiful source of water In this tranquil setting three women join the flow of a small community with the subtle presence of a spring breeze Setsuko the proprietor of a whiskeyonly bar Takako the owner of a coffee shop along the waterway Hatsumi a maker of tofu so delicious it seems to spring forth from the clear water Under their subtle influence other townspeople gradually begin their own streams too Yamanoha a local worker for a furniture workshop Otome the owner of a neighborhood public bath Jin a young man who assists him at the bath Makoto a wayfarer about the town Among their daily lives there is Poplar a small child with a perpetually friendly smile