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.
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
Kichijirō Ueda
Priest Ogon
Ikio Sawamura
Innkeeper (uncredited)
Nakajirō Tomita
(uncredited)
Sonosuke Sawamura
(uncredited)
Michiyo Kogure
Yoshino (uncredited)
