Shunkin is a blind master of the shamisen and koto. She torments and tortures her students, including her ever-faithful apprentice/servant/lover, Sasuke. When one of her enemies pours boiling water on her face, scarring her for life, Sasuke takes great measures to ensure he never sees her face again. The story is told by their former maid, in a nursing home, to a researcher, played by the director himself, uncredited. It is one of Shindo's most elegant and avant-garde films -- his works tend to be more grounded and focus on poor people in miserable situations. For various reasons I won't get into here, this is not a film for the uninitiated. This one is for Japanese enthusiasts only. 9/10.