Overview
Masako, the daughter of an impoverished itinerant tinsmith, wins a grammar school composition contest with an essay about her neighborhood. The much publicized essay ends up causing the family problems and their chronic money troubles threaten Masako's further education.
| Actor | Age then | Age now | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 14 | December 28, 2010 (86) | |
 | 9 | 96 | |
| - | - | |
 | 44 | August 1, 1971 (77) | |
 | 25 | May 24, 2002 (89) | |
 | 31 | June 22, 2000 (93) | |
| 24 | July 23, 1973 (59) | |
 | 32 | July 18, 1973 (67) | |
| 26 | April 12, 2009 (97) | |
 | 23 | 110 |