In the village, death inevitably takes the people when they reach 50 years of age.

By custom, the villagers are bound and taken to The Netherworld, the other side of the mountain. The girl Anzu sacrifices the elder sister of the twins. Officials clad in beast-skin manage the village "The Living World", whose people are watched over by the gods. And the mysterious People of the Mountain… Anzu sees both hope and despair ahead.

The story reflects the author, Yamashita Kazumi's unease for the nation of Japan.

Won the 25th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize.