Based on a samurai legend, Hiroshi Inagaki's sweeping epic follows the bitter rivalry between a powerful feudal lord and a nobleman. A young lord attempts to combat the official corruption endemic to the Shogunate, only to be placed in an impossible conflict of duties. He refuses to bribe a chancellor who is responsible for teaching him the etiquette to receive the Shogun's envoys. The Chancellor goads him into drawing his sword when the envoys are present, a crime punishable by death. The young lord's vassals are ordered to break up his estate, and his samurai are disbanded. To obey the Shogun, they must follow orders, but to be loyal to their master, they must take revenge. The conflict of obligations is the essential dilemma of Japanese society, which is why this is their national epic. This richly woven story contains gorgeous art works, buildings and costumes of 18th century Japan.