女として、死ぬよりつらい夜がふける…若尾文子がふたたび女優演技賞に挑む異色恋愛大作!
若尾文子は絶好調期の代表作のひとつ。同年に「しとやかな獣」「雁の寺」「癇癪老人日記」を撮影!
『白い巨塔』の田宮二郎、『女の賭場』の江波杏子らが共演!
広島の原爆をモチーフに描き、63年のモスクワ映画祭ソ連平和擁護委員会賞を受賞!
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若尾文子 田宮二郎 川崎敬三 江波杏子 角梨枝子 中村伸郎
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脚本:白井更生 若尾徳平 撮影:小原譲治

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.

After years on the road establishing his reputation as Japan's greatest fencer, Takezo returns to Kyoto. Otsu waits for him, yet he has come not for her but to challenge the leader of the region's finest school of fencing. To prove his valor and skill, he walks deliberately into ambushes set up by the school's followers. While Otsu waits, Akemi also seeks him, expressing her desires directly. Meanwhile, Takezo is observed by Sasaki Kojiro, a brilliant young fighter, confident he can dethrone Takezo. After leaving Kyoto in triumph, Takezo declares his love for Otsu, but in a way that dishonors her and shames him. Once again, he leaves alone.