Conflagration

The events occur during the Second World War in Kyoto and extend into the early post-war years. The war creates scarcity, fear, and shifting loyalties that affect how characters behave and how institutions operate. The aftermath exposes moral compromises within religious and social structures as people try to survive and rebuild.

The story unfolds in Kyoto, centering on the Shukaku Pavilion and nearby temples. Soen Temple and Kan'ei-ji Temple anchor Goichi's path toward monastic life and the temple network's influence. The Golden Pavilion looms as a symbol of beauty and prestige, juxtaposed against the corruption and turmoil surrounding the characters.

🔥 Guilt & Consequence

Goichi's act of setting fire to the pavilion triggers deep personal and institutional repercussions. The film explores how guilt festers when confession is avoided and accountability is deflected. Institutions and mentors respond in ways that reveal hypocrisy and complicity. The narrative suggests that denial intensifies damage and propels a downward spiral.

🕯️ Tradition vs Corruption

The temple world, rich in ritual, is shown to be morally compromised by money and desire. Goichi's disillusionment highlights a clash between sacred duties and worldly temptations. The pavilion's power dynamics reveal how tradition can be weaponized to protect influence. The film questions whether spiritual authority can endure scrutiny in a corrupt system.

🧭 Memory & Identity

Flashbacks reveal past traumas—mockery for his stutter and family betrayals—that shape Goichi's sense of self within the temple order. These memories influence his present choices and sense of duty. The past acts as both guide and trap, complicating his path toward or away from monkhood. Memory becomes a lens through which identity is tested and redefined.