Deeply hurt by her husband's infidelity, Ruriko flees from Tokyo and retreats to a secluded country house. She works as a calligrapher and hopes to find peace there to complete the transcription of an English lady's memoirs. Soon, she meets her new neighbors. Nitta was once a renowned pianist and is now dedicated to building harpsichords. He is assisted by a young woman named Kaoru, whom he introduces as his assistant. From her, Ruriko learns that Nitta can no longer play the piano in the presence of others. It is as if his heart has turned to stone and music has become a mere memory. Ruriko and Nitta are drawn to each other, yet the calligrapher senses that there are invisible ties between him and his assistant that are stronger than what Nitta feels for her.