The Woodsman and the Rain 2011
Directed by
Shuichi Okita
Made by
Kadokawa
The Woodsman and the Rain Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Woodsman and the Rain (2011). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Katsuhiko Kishi Koji Yakusho lives a quiet, solitary life as a lumberjack in a remote countryside. The tragedy of his wife’s death nearly three years ago still casts a long shadow over him, and his relationship with his only son, Koichi Kishi Kengo Kora, has grown strained as Koichi struggles to meet his father’s expectations.
One day, Katsuhiko crosses paths with the young director Koichi Tanabe Shun Oguri and the chief of the filming crew, Torii Kanji Furutachi. Reluctantly, he agrees to help them find a filming location, and he even ends up being asked to take part in a zombie-walk scene. The next day, he is invited to watch the day’s filmed scenes and, after the screening, shares a chance encounter with the director in a public bath, where he gives Koichi a ride to the train station. Koichi Tanabe is surprised by Katsuhiko’s interest in the project and leaves him the script book, a gesture that hints at an unexpected mentorship forming between them.
While Katsuhiko studies the script, Torii and two other crew members arrive at the station and block Koichi from slipping away to Tokyo. Koichi turns up later at Katsuhiko’s home to retrieve the script, and the two men spend time together in a way that feels almost like father and son, even as Katsuhiko’s own son has gone off to Tokyo.
The following day, Koichi Tanabe 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. Katsuhiko learns that there are very few actors available to portray the anti-zombie battalion and decides to recruit the villagers to participate. The community’s enthusiasm is contagious, and Koichi Tanabe begins to smile for the first time, gaining confidence as a director. He even manages to work with an aging movie star who joins a scene, earning genuine recognition for his growing craft.
Fired up by the project, Katsuhiko skips a day of work and nearly forgets the anniversary of his wife’s death. Relatives arrive to remind him, and the family gathers for the commemorative ceremony. Afterward, one relative speaks with a sharp edge about Katsuhiko’s son, but Katsuhiko defends him firmly, earning his son’s astonished gaze and a renewed sense of pride.
The final day of filming brings rain that threatens to derail the shoot, but with Katsuhiko’s steady guidance, the last scene is captured just between showers. The villagers return to their ordinary routines, and Koichi Tanabe begins directing another film, yet he carries with him a director’s chair crafted by Katsuhiko wherever he goes, a quiet tribute to the unlikely bond and shared dream that brought them together.
The Woodsman and the Rain Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of The Woodsman and the Rain (2011) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Katsuhiko’s quiet life in the countryside
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.
A chance meeting and the invitation to help
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.
On the day’s screening and a public bath chat
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 leaves the script book; mentorship begins
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.
Koichi seeks guidance on set
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.
Villagers recruited; the anti-zombie battalion comes to life
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.
A day off and the anniversary almost forgotten
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.
A sharp remark and renewed pride
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.
Final day of filming; rain threatens the shoot
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.
Villagers return to routine; Koichi keeps directing
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.
A chair as a quiet tribute
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.
Enduring impact
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.
The Woodsman and the Rain Characters
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Katsuhiko Kishi — Koji Yakusho
A quiet, solitary lumberjack living in a rural setting. Three years after his wife’s death, his relationship with his son Koichi has grown strained. He unexpectedly mentors Koichi Tanabe and then becomes a steadying influence on the directing process, guiding the crew through practical and emotional challenges.
Koichi Kishi — Kengo Kora
Katsuhiko’s son, who struggles to meet his father’s expectations. He reconnects with his father through the film project, learns to channel his ambitions into directing, and gradually finds confidence as the collaboration thrives.
Koichi Tanabe — Shun Oguri
A young director who seeks guidance from Katsuhiko. He learns to trust his instinct, benefits from Katsuhiko’s mentorship, and finds his footing on set as the project progresses.
Torii — Kanji Furutachi
The chief of the filming crew who helps organize the production, including recruiting villagers for the anti-zombie scenes. He acts as a facilitator between the director, the crew, and the community.
Mitsuharu — Mitsuru Hirata
An aging movie star who joins a scene, bringing a touch of fame and experience that earns genuine recognition from the cast and crew, enriching the film’s atmosphere and the director's craft.
Tamae — Asami Usuda
Katsuhiko’s wife, whose memory casts a long shadow over his life. Her presence through memory informs his choices and emotional journey throughout the filming process.
The Woodsman and the Rain Settings
Learn where and when The Woodsman and the Rain (2011) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Contemporary
Set in the modern era, the film follows a present-day filmmaking effort in a rural setting. The narrative threads through ordinary days, weather, and annual memories, grounding the characters in a tangible, current world. The rain and changing seasons mirror the evolving relationships and growing confidence of the participants.
Location
Japanese countryside village, public bath, train station
The story unfolds in a quiet, remote Japanese countryside village where everyday life centers on work, family, and small community rituals. Key locations include a communal public bath and a nearby train station, which connect the village to a wider world and to the film crew's environment. The landscape is depicted with restrained beauty that underscores isolation, yet also invites connection through shared projects and collaboration.
The Woodsman and the Rain Themes
Discover the main themes in The Woodsman and the Rain (2011). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Mentorship
An unlikely mentor-mentee bond forms between Katsuhiko and Koichi Tanabe. Katsuhiko shares practical wisdom, patience, and a grounded approach to craft, while Tanabe learns to listen and observe beyond technique. Their evolving dynamic gradually shifts from hesitation to guidance, reshaping both men's paths. The theme highlights how experience can illuminate a younger creator's vision.
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Collaboration
Filmmaking becomes a communal act as the village is recruited to participate in scenes. The local enthusiasm transforms a small project into a shared dream that strengthens community ties. Koichi Tanabe gains confidence through this collaborative energy, while Katsuhiko demonstrates the value of bringing people together for art. The film underscores that craft thrives on collective effort.
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Loss and Memory
The memory of Katsuhiko's wife shadows his present life, informing his priorities and relationships. The anniversary of her death acts as a quiet catalyst, prompting reflection and renewed purpose. As the project progresses, the process of making the film becomes a way to cope with grief and cherish memory. The emotional weight enriches the characters' growth and the film's emotional resonance.
The Woodsman and the Rain Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Woodsman and the Rain (2011). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the quiet folds of a deep countryside, a solitary lumberjack tends to the rhythm of trees and the echo of loss. Katsuhiko Kishi lives a life shaped by the recent death of his wife, and the distance that has grown between him and his teenage son, Koichi. Their world is one of modest routine, where the forest’s steady breath masks the unspoken grief that lingers in the home they share.
One afternoon a small film crew arrives, searching for a perfect outdoor setting for a zombie movie. Their eager director, Koichi Tanabe, and the practical chief, Mr. Torii, recognize something in the lumberjack’s familiarity with the land and ask for his assistance. What begins as a pragmatic request—to guide them to a suitable location—quickly blossoms into an invitation for Katsuhiko to step onto the set, blurring the line between his solitary craft and the bustling, imaginative world of movie‑making.
As cameras start to roll, the forest becomes a stage, and the lumberjack finds himself drawn into a collaborative dance with strangers who bring a different kind of energy to the rural silence. The juxtaposition of his grounded, hands‑on life with the fantastical, make‑believe of a zombie production teases fresh possibilities for connection—both with the eager director and his own son, who watches from the periphery. The film’s presence hints at a subtle transformation, offering a gentle, hopeful spark that could bridge the gaps left by loss, while the landscape itself remains a steadfast backdrop to whatever stories may unfold.
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