A distinguished kabuki troupe brings its performance to a rural village. In this rare comedy from Naruse, the director focuses on the backstage antics of two actors who perform as a pantomime horse and find their place in the show threatened by the show's funder, who wants to replace them with a live horse. In addition to the film's comic elements, Naruse offers a cautionary reflection on war as the actors watch two of their own sent off to battle.