story of maternal love; mother-themed story
A genre label for films, novels, or dramas centered on a mother's love and sacrifice. Often used in the context of classic Japanese cinema or literature.
この映画は典型的な母物で、母親の深い愛情が描かれている。
This film is a typical mother-themed story, depicting a mother's deep love.
Compound of 母 (haha, 'mother') and 物 (mono, 'thing, story'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term likely emerged in the context of early 20th-century Japanese popular culture to categorize maternal-themed narratives.