Ep 4. Pillow Lane

In Mushishi season 1 episode 4, titled Pillow Lane, the protagonist Ginko arrives in a village where the residents have been suffering from a mysterious illness. He soon learns that the illness causes the afflicted to fall into a deep sleep and never wake up again. Ginko discovers that it is caused by a type of mushi, known as the Shirogane, that feeds on the sleep of others.

Ginko sets out to find a way to exorcise the Shirogane mushi, but encounters resistance from the village's headman, who is determined to keep their traditional beliefs intact. Despite this, Ginko persists in his quest and discovers that the Shirogane mushi can be exorcised by playing a certain melody on a special type of flute.

As Ginko works to exorcise the Shirogane mushi, he also learns about the tragic history of the village and its people, and how the Shirogane mushi came to be there. He also meets a young girl named Tama, who has been afflicted by the mushi and falls into a deep sleep.

Ginko is able to exorcise the Shirogane mushi and Tama awakens from her sleep, but not before she experiences a vivid dream about her deceased mother. As Ginko departs the village, he realizes that he has made a greater impact on the community than just exorcising the mushi. He has helped them confront their past and begin to heal.

Overall, Pillow Lane is a poignant and thought-provoking episode that explores themes of tradition, healing, and the power of dreams. The storytelling is masterful and the visuals are stunning, providing a vivid and immersive experience for viewers.