In 1844, the
Tokugawa shogunate in Japan is in a period of transition, and one of the high ranking lords,
Lord Matsudaira, has become tainted by his dissolute and reprobate misconduct. Many leaders in the governing community of the current government feel that the code of honor,
bushido, of the
samurai is being disgraced by Matsudaira. His reprobate, egotistical, and feckless lifestyle is disgusting to those who come into close contact with him. After receiving reports,
Sir Doi is convinced that Matsudaira represents a severe threat to the entire code of honor for the samurai tradition. Sir Doi decides, because of the severity of Matsudaira's misconduct, to take a blood oath to assassinate the reprobate Lord Matsudaira. He enlists a troop of assassins to swear a similar blood oath to do away with Matsudaira in order to restore his country's wellbeing and code of honor. Shinzaemon gathers a diverse group of warriors with the intent to trap and kill Matsudaira and his 200 bodyguards in the town of Ochiai. Using clever tactics, Shinzaemon successfully evens the odds against the overwhelming force and defeating the enemy lord and his rival, the leader of the bodyguards, Hanbei. ==Cast==