The Story

Three more years till the big “30” and struggling. Struggling to meet his parents’ expectations. Struggling to grasp a flighty thing called “inner peace” and perhaps most of all, struggling to find himself in a world that screams at him to be anything but that.

In dire need of change, Shaun, drawn to the possibility of hope and longing to quench his thirst for peace of mind decides to take a risk and follow his doctor’s prescription. A prescription that takes him all the way to Japan. Not quite sure what to expect, Shaun winds up at a home for the elderly on a yearlong volunteer program. Anticipating the worst, he meets Mrs. Ito who turns out to be his charge. Not speaking a lick of Japanese and trying to make light of the situation, Shaun decides to call her “Granny”.

Per “Granny’s” request, Shaun takes her on daily walks to the well known Hachimangu Shrine where gradually his turmoil is put to rest. Interestingly, Granny’s granddaughter Sayaka works at the same facility and it doesn’t take long for Shaun and Sayaka to develop a deeper friendship. Between Shaun’s daily walks with Granny and growing ties with Sayaka not only does his turmoil dissipate but so does his desire to return to life as it was before. What started off with Shaun wanting to hide away from the game called “life,” results in him finding much more than he bargained for. This is the story of Kakurembo. This is the story of “Hide and Seek.”.

２７歳のショーンオルソンは悩みを抱えている。親の過大な期待に応えること、常に混雑している社会と自分の中の恐怖に負けないように毎日耐えること。そしてなにより、自分の生きる目的がどうしても見つからない不安が彼を連日悩ませる。希望に飢え、他に道が見つからないと途方に暮れていたショーンに、セラピストは彼が日本に行くことを勧める。言われるままに日本にやってきたショーンは、鎌倉の老人ホームで一年間、ボランティアとしての活動に取り組む。全く日本語が話せず、ますます不安になりながらも、彼は一年間世話をする老婦人の伊藤さんと出会う。言葉の通じないショーンは一方的だが親しみをこめて、伊藤さんを「グラニー」(英語でおばぁちゃん)と呼ぶことにした。ショーンは毎日、「グラニー」を彼女の大好きな鶴ヶ丘八幡宮へと連れて行き、二人の関係は深まっていく。他人との沈黙を最も恐れていたショーンだが、言葉の通じない伊藤夫人との交流は、逆に自分と向き合う時間を彼に与え、やがて不安も癒やしていく。また、婦人の美しい孫娘、さやかとの出会いは、ショーンの人生に予想外の展開をもたらすのだ。