When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

Plot Summary

Keiko, whom everyone calls Mama, narrates her story: she's a hostess on the Ginza, 30, a widow. She describes life's vicious cycle: acting cheerful around drunks, dressing and living well to convey confidence, needing money for these expenses and for her demanding mother and brother, and knowing she's growing older.

Top Cast

Hideko Takamine Keiko Yashiro

Masayuki Mori Nobuhiko Fujisaki

Reiko Dan Junko Inchihashi

Tatsuya Nakadai Kenichi Komatsu

Daisuke Katō Matsukichi Sekine