Madam Butterfly was born of a wealthy samurai family in the port of Nagasaki. During the change from the Tokugawa Shogunate period to the Meiji period, Madam Butterfly's father was ordered to commit harakiri suicide by the Shogun and as being with out a father, Madam Butterfly was sold to a geisha house.

Madam Butterfly spends lonely days singing in A Geisha House. Madam Butterfly was fifteen year years old when American Naval Officer by the name of Pinkerton proposed to her. Pinkerton speaks to the marriage broker who said Madam Butterfly, can be purchased as a bride and that he can arrange for a house.

Madam Butterfly, than only sixteen, is in awe of the American, and takes the marriage seriously. They got married and soon a son is born.

Lieutenant Pinkerton returns to America promising her that he will return for. Pinkerton leaves Madam Butterfly to cling to the only thing she has left the hope of his return. Madam Butterfly watches incoming ships

Three years have passed, and still Madam Butterfly's husband has not returned. Madam Butterfly plays with the child born from her union with Pinkerton. Madam Butterfly, in her solitude, is haunted by nightmares.

Crying, Madam Butterfly awakes to the news that Pinkerton's ship has been sighted. Now, at long last, all her dreams will come true. She dances for joy and prepare the house for Pinkerton's return. Madam Butterfly dresses in her wedding dress and holds her vigil on the bridge

Pinkerton arrives at the hilltop house with his American wife, Madam Butterfly enters, her joy soon turns to sorrow as she becomes aware that Pinkerton has another wife. Her second realization, that they have come to take her son, brings her to desperation. Madam Butterfly delivers her one last reason for existence into the arms of her true love's wife.

Madam Butterfly, deserted by family, husband, religion and child, feels she can make only one tragic choice. She commits suicide using her father's short sword.