"The confrontation between the chivalrous commoner Banzuin Chobei (1620-57) and Jurozaemon Mizuno (d. 1664), the head of the shogun's bannermen, is one of the enduring legends of early seventeenth-century Japan. Mizuno's men, among whom were the tough elements of the low-ranking samurai, ran roughshod over the populace. Chobei, a natural leader of the commoners, protected their interests.
"Into this rivalry is woven the plot of Gonpachi Sirai, a samurai from the provinces who escapes to Edo after an escapade, and his love for the courtesan Komurasaki. Shirai meets Chobei in a gloomy woods leading to the execution grounds at Suzugamori and is taken under the older man's wing. Shirai is being hunted down by the brothers of a woman he has violated. The woman, Kanae, follows him to hear from his own lips whether his protestations of love were true. She takes a position in Mizuno's household. Chobei resolves Shirai's tangled amours and send him off with Kanae.
"The relationships between women in Osone's films is interesting: knowing that they are entirely dependent on men, they are more than willing to extend a helping hand to each other. In this film, a woman who serves Mizuno in some kind of bondage helps Kanae escape. ‘Why are you doing this for me?' asks Kanae. ‘It takes a woman to understand a woman' is the reply." --Frank T. Motofuji