In this film, director Shohei Imamura collides traditional Japanese myth with Japan's current modernized incarnation. The result is a surreal biting commentary on Japanese society. A family living alone on an isolated island begins developing unique cultural norms concerning sexual behavior. The family father views incest as acceptable and practical behavior. He is simultaneously a father and grandfather to his boy who is involved with one of his sisters. Another sister is mentally retarded and addicted to sexual pleasure. A stranger comes to the island with the hopes of building a sugar refinery there. He is soon seduced by the retarded sister. He also begins to rather like their customs. In the end, the other brother and sister are morally chastised for their love. As punishment, the brother must dig a giant hole to bury a large boulder brought in by a tsunami.