A humble and simple Takezo abandons his life as a knight errant. He's sought as a teacher and vassal by Shogun, Japan's most powerful clan leader. He's also challenged to fight by the supremely confident and skillful Sasaki Kojiro. Takezo agrees to fight Kojiro in a year's time but rejects Shogun's patronage, choosing instead to live on the edge of a village, raising vegetables. He's followed there by Otsu and later by Akemi, both in love with him. The year ends as Takezo assists the villagers against a band of brigands. He seeks Otsu's forgiveness and accepts her love, then sets off across the water to Ganryu Island for his final contest.
▶ Watch TrailerNo streaming sources found for this title.
🔍 Search on JustWatch →The film doesn't pretend to be about anything other than action — and that's an honest position. The director constructs scenes with a feel for space, pace, and rhythm.
If you love the genre — this is a solid specimen. If you're indifferent to action — there's nothing extraordinary here to convert you.
Good choice for group viewing when you want to watch rather than think.
Director: Hiroshi Inagaki
— MovieFinder Editorial
Best Watched
Viewing atmosphere: Big screen, decent sound. This is cinema that should sound loud and fill the room.
Toshirō Mifune
Musashi Miyamoto a.k.a. Takezo
Koji Tsuruta
Kojiro Sasaki
Kaoru Yachigusa
Otsu
Mariko Okada
Akemi
Kurôemon Onoe
Takuan
Michiko Saga
Omitsu
Takashi Shimura
Court official
Minoru Chiaki
Sasuke the boatman
Takamaru Sasaki
Omitsu's father
Haruo Tanaka
Kumagoro the horse thief
Audience Score
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