Season 7 · Episode 3

Hometown Stories: Uncovering Precious Life Stories

Kozue Eda runs a company in Oita City in southwestern Japan that specializes in sorting through the possessions of the deceased, but it is more than mementos and personal treasures that she uncovers. The 29-year-old carefully checks every nook and cranny as she searches for cherished items to pass on to the bereaved family. When she was a high school student, Eda had to care for her ill mother, which derailed her efforts to get into a university of her choice and find full-time work. After hopping between several part-time jobs, Eda stumbled on her current career. Sorting through the belongings of people who have passed away has helped Eda come to terms with her own life. In this episode, we follow Eda as she goes through the possessions of a deceased 94-year-old woman and makes some unexpected discoveries.