Chieko, wife of the renowned Japanese poet and sculptor Kotaro Takamura, desperately seeks to express her own artistry as a painter. She passionately devotes herself to the creation of beauty, but critical response is discouraging, and the dawning realization that she lacks the creative capacity to achieve her goal begins to drive her mad. Kotaro grows to the task of understanding his wife's problem and tenderly ministers to her wants, writing moving poems to and about her. Chieko finally admits defeat and abortively attempts suicide. Her mental condition deteriorates rapidly, and she finally dies of pneumonia.