
A talented but troubled Edo Period swordsman, Kanemi Sanzaemon. Three years earlier, Kanemi killed a woman, Renko, the corrupt mistress of the powerful daimyo Tabu Ukyou. Unexpectedly, Kanemi received a lenient sentence for his crime and is allowed to return to his clan after only one year of imprisonment. Following his return, Kanemi is faced with the death of his wife, Mutsue. Thereafter, Kanemi lives with and cares for his wife's niece, Satoo, who has secret affections for Kanemi and expresses them by helping change his bleak outlook on life. Meanwhile, Kanemi's develops his unique "bird-catching" sword technique which he will soon put to test in battle for the first time against the fearsome swordsman, Hayatonosho Obiya.

as Kanemi Sanzaemon

as Rio

as Obiya

as Fukui

as Hyoue Makihuzi

as Mitsuoka

as Mokichi

as Hana

as Deputy Chief Retainer Tsuda

as Tsunekichi

as Tsunai Hashina

as Kisuke

as Lord Tabu Ukyou

as Yamauchi

as Lady Renko

as Michuoka

as Den'ichiro

as Naoya Anzai

as Gonzou

as Seizou Kenmi

as Mutsue

as Magochiyo Yabe

as Tae

as Ohba