Synopsis: The Medicine Seller meets a woman convicted for the murder of her household.

A certain Satsuki Kazuma and his family were murdered. The culprit is Kazuma’s wife, Chou. She was imprisoned immediately for her crime. The wife says that she accepts responsibility and thus the case was closed.

The Medicine Seller is in a prison cell with Chou. He asks her what she did. The woman asks him in return who he is. He tells her that he is a medicine Seller and that he had a rude customer. The customer accused him of fraud because the pills he bought did nothing to his condition. The Medicine Seller says that he does not believe medicine alone can cure one’s ailments. A medicine becomes ineffective due to one’s own lack of belief. The Medicine Seller told his customer that but the customer demanded his money be returned. The authorities then arrived at the scene. The Medicine Seller says he was embarassed the customer put him in such a situation.

The woman speaks that it is strange that a man and a woman should share the same cell. The Medicine Seller comments that at any rate, the woman is going to die. The Medicine Seller tells the woman that he knew of it since the people are abuzz with rumors of her crime. Ochou was branded as the devil-woman who killed a samurai’s entire household including her own husband and father-in-law.

The Medicine Seller tells her that it was a rather heinous crime. The scene changes to show people being hanged. The Medicine Seller says that four people were hung from a plum tree. The woman tells him that that wasn’t how it happened. The Medicine Seller thought of people being impaled but Chou told him it is wrong as well. He then asks her how it happened.

The woman remembers a knife dropping on the floor but she tells the Medicine Seller that she has forgotten. The Medicine Seller tells her that rumors develop quickly and that how she did the crime would be irrelevant. Whether it is cooked in miso or cured with salt, a fish is a fish. Chou tells the Medicine Seller that he makes no sense at all.

The Medicine Seller then tells Chou that he believed that a woman could not do the crime alone. The Medicine Seller’s backpack opens and a scale appears. He tells the woman not to give it attention as it is only a tool for his trade. The scale balances on the Medicine Seller’s finger.

He says that there were no witnesses nor physical evidence of the crime, only the woman’s admission of her guilt. All the details are vague. The Medicine Seller then emphasizes that he does not believe she acted alone. He says that it was the work of a Mononoke. He asks her if it rings a bell but she says it doesn’t, though her eyes stray away when she said this.

The woman says that she did it herself. The Medicine Seller explains that people have a certain air, or expression, to them. He says that Ochou does not look like one bound for the gallows in the morning. She says that her white kimono distinguishes her as such but the Medicine Seller tells her that it’s the jailor who determines what she wears and that her face is of more concern than what she is wearing. He says that the woman he is speaking with seems an entirely different person from the normal Ochou-san. The woman, with a voice slightly raised, tells the Medicine Seller that he would not know how she acts under normal circumstances. She asks again who the Medicine seller is.

Smoke appears from outside and another voice asks the Medicine Seller. He demands that the Medicine Seller tell him who he is. The voice also asks why the Medicine Seller is there. The Medicine Seller tells him that he is amazed that the Mononoke could speak. He says that it is the first time he’s met such sort of Mononoke. The woman then tells the Medicine Seller not to speak strange things. She says that the man outside isn’t anyone suspicious.

The Medicine Seller tells Ochou not to leave but she tells him to get out of the way. The Medicine Seller repeats himself, she must not leave. She is safe as long as she stays inside.

Suddenly, someone with a fox mask comes in and he strikes with a pipe. The Medicine Seller blocks with with his sword. The masked man continues to ask who the Medicine Seller is. The Medicine Seller says that, as he suspected, the woman was possessed. He thought, however, that the bars would have to be broken before the Mononoke would show its form but he never expected it to come.

The Medicine Seller realizes that the masked man in front of him isn’t the Mononoke’s true Form. The woman then asks the Medicine Seller why he would get in her way but he tells again that she must not leave and that she is safer inside. He says that if she believes the place holds her, it would be a prison but if she does not wish to leave, it will be a fortress.

He asks if Ochou wants to return to her place again. The woman remembers her house and the people she murdered. She tells the Medicine Seller she doesn’t mind. She says that humans are more fearful and that, surely, there must be a kind Mononoke. The masked man then tells the Medicine Seller that infinite providence lies with him.

He blows smoke from his pipe to the Medicine Seller and when the smoke has cleared, a mask has covered the Medicine Seller’s face. He tells the Medicine Seller to wander and search for his Form. The mask falls to reveal that the Medicine Seller’ face has become empty. The Medicine Seller falls.

The masked man tells Ochou that they will be safe and that they won’t be followed for a while. The woman asks him who he is. The man replies that he is a Mononoke. He says that he was born to free her from prison.

Ochou remembers her house before the murder. His husband was asking her to bring more sake. A woman spoke and told her to hurry up. Another woman commented that the man has a worthless wife. Oyou’s husband said that she is lazy indeed. His brother asked him why he took her in. Oyou’s husband replies that her mother begged him. One of the women with him, asked him that if his first wife had not hung herself, would he still accept Oyou into his home. Oyou’s husband told them that she is a good cook and that she’s good in bed too. The visitors laughed. Oyou, however, heard their conversation.

A masked man then appeared to her. He told her that her heart wished to purge itself of the rage that was building up like a poison. He offered her a knife. She accepted it and said that because of that sensation she was able to stand what was going on. The laughters turned into screams.

Oyou, in the present, tells the masked man that he has saved her many times. She then asks if they must return. He replies that they must. He says power is limited and that they will be pursued soon.

Oyou tells the Mononoke that she does not want to go back but he says that she is set to be hung. Her appeals are exhausted and she is at the brink of death. The woman tells him that it’d be the same even if she return or not. The masked man tells her that if she does not return, she will be running from her crime for the rest of her life. If she is found, she will be executed on the spot.

The Mononoke’s mask changes into a green demon mask. He ask if it was the Medicine Seller who put such thoughts in her head. Oyou says she does not wish to return. The mask changes again. The man strikes his mask gently with his pipe and it changes until it returns to the fox mask. He changes his mask again.

He then asks for Ochou’s hand in marriage. He says that though he is not human, his form is similar to that of a man. He tells the woman that he cannot remove his mask but he can sing and dance and do everything necessary to provide for her. He begs Ochou to be his wife.

Ochou asks him if he wants her, a convicted criminal, as his wife. The masked man says that he wants her. Oyou nods. He asks if she accepts. Oyou nods again. The masked man rejoices. He says that they will be wed immediately.

Ochou finds herself in a room wearing a matrimonial garb. The masked man tells her that they will start a new life. The masked man then announces to the masks on the wall that Ochou is his bride. The masks congratulate him. The man says that his friends are rowdy. Oyou says they’re nice. The man then tells her that they have always been around her but she did not notice them. They all have protected them. He says that people tend to forget how many people they have met and how many of them have helped them. He then says that from that point on, it will be different. He tells Ochou that he will be his reason for living. Ochou nods.

Ochou partakes from her cup and the Mononoke does too. He says that their vows are completed and that they are now one.

A cup falls and a woman bowing herself is revealed. She says she hid herself so that the couple’s taking of vows would not be interrupted. She then says that she wishes to express her gratitude and extend her best wishes. The masked man asks who she is. Oyou says she is her mother. The masked man is shocked.

The room turns and changes. People with clothes over their faces appear. Oyou says that the room is changing for her. Oyou’s mother says she can now finally hold her head high as she visits the graves of her ancestors, the Umezawake clan. She says that the couple should also pay their respects. She raises her head and it is revealed that she is wearing a red oni mask.

Oyou remembers a conversation with her mother. She told her that she was born exceptionally beautiful. She told Oyou to mind her appearance carefully so she will be able to marry into a wealthy family despite of her humble upbringing. In this memory, Oyou’s mother was wearing a white mask with a strict face. Oyou told her she will. Oyou also wore a mask, a happy one. Oyou’s mother praises her.

The Mononoke tells Oyou not to show him her memories. Oyou sobs and covers her face with her hands. The sliding door opens and the masked man sees a scale outside. He looks around and sees another scale.

The Medicine seller appears. He is clapping his hands as if celebrating. Around him are people with cloth-covered faces (perhaps they were Oyou’s victims). He congratulates the couple and tells them it was a wonderful play.

The masked man asks him what happened to his face. Instead of eyes, nose and a mouth, there are hiragana characters. The Medicine Seller writes the kanji for “face”. He says that it can also be read as “exterior” and that he human face is nothing more than exterior appearance.

The Mononoke’s mask changes again. The Medicine Seller observes it and asks where the Mononoke’s real face is. The Mononoke attacks the Medicine Seller. The two fight for a moment. Ochou tries to stop them. A ward comes out from her sleeve. The masked man blows smoke from his pipe and the Medicine Seller throws a mirror to shield him. The Mononoke’s mask changes but they break. The walls begin to collapse.

Ochou cries thinking of the new life she had. The Medicine Seller tells her that it was all a play the Mononoke created to deceive her. Ochou says she thought the Mononoke saved her. The Medicine Seller explains that he must be hiding something something he did not want her to notice. For one, he hides his face in a mask. He then asks what he is hiding that he would require such a play. The mask falls off from the Mononoke’s face.

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