While already living in the village of Magino, where they settled around 1974, the members of Ogawa Productions heard about the existence of a cold air front blown from the Pacific, which damaged crops in the small neighbouring hamlet of Furuyashiki, in the mountains. The collective moved to this small village with only a few houses and an ageing population and spent two years there. Adopting the methods of scientific documentary, the first part of the film is a rigorous investigation of the influence of the cold weather on the crops. Through a series of experiments and with the help of the farmers, the filmmakers hope to discover a way to save the crops and help the population of Furuyashiki. In this small village, the filmmakers found the whole history of modern Japan. They recorded the personal and collective stories told by the old villagers, including ancient tales passed down from their ancestors, their memories of war, as well as their views on the transformations brought about by the modernization of the country. The film is a heartfelt tribute to these people.
