In 1860s Japan, samurai Seibei (Hiroyuki Sanada) lives in a rural village with his mother and daughters, where he is stuck working as a bookkeeper rather than a warrior. Disillusioned by his position in society and the death of his wife, Seibei finally is stirred from his malaise by the arrival of Tomoe (Rie Miyazawa), a woman he loved as a child. His feelings for her are still strong, but the burdens of family, career and social standings could keep Seibei from following his desires.  Seibei is caught in the shifting turmoil of the times. His superiors, having heard of his sword-fighting prowess, order him on a dangerous mission: kill a renowned warrior who is on the wrong side of a clan power struggle.