片名《死之棘》取自《圣经》中格林多的传记，意为罪过。　　作家俊夫（岸部一德 饰）与美穗（松坂庆子 饰）的婚姻生活到了第十个年头，危机凸现。俊夫在外有了情人，妻子雇人调查核实，精神受到极大刺激，扬言自杀。俊夫出于对妻子的愧疚，毅然离开情人，决心和妻子儿女找回以往的快乐时光。但事与愿违，美穗由于承受过大的压力患上了精神分裂症，变得不再相信丈夫，时时猜疑，步步紧逼，使俊夫难以固守最后的个人空间。俊夫深知这一切全是自己种下的恶果，也清楚美穗的反常行为缘于极大的痛苦与悲伤，所以即使无法忍受亦坚忍下来。夫妻关系就在互相折磨中渐渐走向边缘……

Ginko, the daughter of a poor shoemaker Ginzo, a child was sold to a geisha. From a student she became a real geisha and made her debut under the name of “Peony”. Great anguish caused Ginko molestation host teahouse. In Ginko have a favorite person – doctor Kurisu, but she is forced to leave him and return home in Tokyo. But here, she had all the same poverty. Parents again sell Ginkgo, this time to the north. There she first landlord was going to marry her, but interferes with his mother, who has decided not to allow this marriage, shameful for the honor of the house. He eventually marries another girl. Caught in a quandary, Ginko returns to Tokyo and the third time it becomes a geisha. Hard work, constant bullying Ginko adjusted to the disease. Mistress of her first promises to break a contract in which she serves as Ginko, but when Ginko finally recovers, the owner easily abandons his promises and demands that Ginko continued to work on it.