Ken Takakura was just too old to play this role both as jailer and husband. His body looked so frail, his face looked like a 70 to 80 years old person. His image was so old way past retirement at least 10 years. The story was very well written, profound and poetically beautiful. The cinematography was top notched, with subtle directing. All the supporting actors were appropriate and believable. Well, again, if Takakura could be younger about 15 or even 20 years to play this role, it'd have made this movie even greater, he was just too old to play such husband/jailer role.