田舎の商家で生まれ、絵の神童と持てはやされた少年・直介（なおすけ）は、十歳の時、都へ奉公に出された。しかし、絵への執着を断ち切れず、次第に闇に落ちて行った。

そんな直介の前に一人の風変わりな乞食坊主が現れた。坊主は直介を寺に連れて帰り「今日からお前は朴念（ぼくねん）だ。ただ働き、ただ食え」と言い、継ぎ接ぎだらけの作務衣と終わりのない雑役を与えた。

季節は移ろい、人々との出会いの中で、直介は言葉ではない「なにか」を感じ始める。

Naosuke, born into a merchant family in the countryside, was sent to work in the capital when he was ten years old. However, unable to break free from his obsession with painting, he gradually descended into darkness.

Then, a strange beggar monk appeared before Naosuke. The monk took Naosuke to the temple and gave him patched-up work clothes and endless chores.

As the seasons change and he encounters various people, Naosuke begins to sense “something” that cannot be expressed in words.