Shinto - Sunshine Through the Rain

This segment of Akira Kurosawa's "Dreams" seems to be dealing primarily with the ties between Kami and nature, and the relationship between humans and Kami. The wedding procession of the Foxes is only held when the sun shines through the rain, and the mother knows this, but also knows that the Foxes don't like humans to see the processions. The young boy does not heed his mother's warning, however, and pays the price.

Living in harmony with the Kami is so important to the mother that she aquiesces to the will of the foxes, telling her son he must go to beg forgiveness, and barring the foxes forgiveness, must kill himself. She will not even allow the boy within the walls of her home until he is forgiven. Living in reverence and balance with the Kami is paramount, and maintaining the purity of that relationship is all-important.

The bond between Kami and the powerful parts of nature is strong, as illustrated by the mother's insistence that the boy seek the home of the Foxes below the rainbow. Such a beautiful and ethereal thing could only be home to something as deserving of reverence as Kami. The Kami are so powerful and omni-present that the Foxes are able to make it to the boy's home and tell his mother before the boy ever arrives.