The Woodsman and the Rain

Katsuhiko Kishi leads a quiet, solitary life as a lumberjack in a remote countryside. The death of his wife nearly three years ago casts a long shadow over him, and his relationship with his son Koichi has grown strained as Koichi seeks to prove himself. His routine is disrupted when a film crew enters his world, offering him a chance to step outside his routine.

Katsuhiko crosses paths with the young director Koichi Tanabe and the crew chief Torii while they search for filming locations. He reluctantly agrees to help and is asked to take part in a zombie-walk scene. This unexpected collaboration plants the seed for an unlikely friendship.

The next day, Katsuhiko watches the day’s filmed scenes and later meets Koichi again in a public bath, where their conversation hints at a budding mentorship. He then gives Koichi a ride to the train station, signaling a growing connection beyond mere employment.

Koichi is surprised by Katsuhiko’s growing interest and leaves him the script book, a gesture that hints at an emerging mentorship. The two men sense a surrogate father-son dynamic forming as work continues.

The following day, Koichi must direct the next scenes but feels unsure about how to guide the actors and asks Katsuhiko for his thoughts, since he will be on set all day. This exchange solidifies Katsuhiko’s role as a mentor and helps Koichi see the project from a steadier perspective.

Katsuhiko learns there are very few actors available for the anti-zombie battalion and decides to recruit villagers to fill the roles. The community’s enthusiasm is contagious, and Koichi begins to smile more as his confidence grows. An aging movie star also joins a scene, earning genuine recognition for the evolving on-set dynamic.

Fueled by the project, Katsuhiko takes a day off work and nearly forgets the anniversary of his wife’s death. Relatives arrive to remind him, and the family gathers for the commemorative ceremony. The moment forces him to reflect on his past and the new bond forming with Koichi.

During the ceremony, a relative speaks sharply about Katsuhiko’s son, and Katsuhiko defends him with quiet resolve. The exchange earns his son’s astonished gaze and a renewed sense of pride in his father. The moment reinforces the generational bridge being forged on set.

The final day of filming brings rain that could derail the shoot, but Katsuhiko’s steady guidance keeps the production on track. The last scene is captured just between showers, with the villagers’ participation sealing the film’s communal spirit. The on-screen moment stands as a tribute to what was built off camera.

The villagers return to their ordinary routines after filming, and Koichi Tanabe begins directing another film. The experience reshapes him, giving him renewed confidence in his craft. He carries the memory of Katsuhiko’s mentorship into his future work.

Koichi carries a director’s chair crafted by Katsuhiko wherever he goes, a quiet tribute to the unlikely bond that formed between them. The chair becomes a tangible reminder of shared dreams and the mentorship that bridged their generations. It travels with him as his career continues.

The unlikely friendship and collaboration leave a lasting impact on both men. Koichi continues pursuing directing with a renewed perspective, while Katsuhiko’s influence resonates in the choices he inspires in others. The story ends on a note of future possibilities built on a simple act of opening one's world.