In 1918, Ito lived in a coastal fishing village of Toyama with her husband and three children. While the men of the village ventured out to fish, the wives remained at home, managing households and relying heavily on rice for sustenance. Ito’s daily task involved hauling bags of rice to the shore. As Japan deployed troops to Siberia, the price of rice skyrocketed.

Women gathered, pleading with rice vendors to sell rice at lower prices and attempting to prevent merchants from shipping rice by boat. Despite their efforts, they faced repeated failures. When local reporters covered the situation, news rapidly spread through various media channels, sparking nationwide unrest. Eventually, the women’s patience wore thin, prompting them to contemplate further action.

The film draws inspiration from a real event during Japan’s Taisho era, depicting an unprecedented ‘Angry Rice Wives’ movement initiated by women.