Shogun's Samurai

Shogun's Samurai, known in Japan as , is a 1978 Japanese historical martial arts period film directed by Kinji Fukasaku. The film is the first of two period films by Fukasaku starring Shinichi "Sonny" Chiba as Jūbei Mitsuyoshi Yagyū, the other being Samurai Reincarnation. The film was adapted into a 39-episode TV series, The Yagyu Conspiracy (1978–1979), and two TV film remakes were released in 2008 and 2020. Plot In 1624, shogun Tokugawa Hidetada of the Tokugawa shogunate dies at Edo Castle. Komuro Kihei, his taster, also kills himself, leading to suspicion that the shogun was poisoned. Hidetada's oldest son Iemitsu was to be heir, but his father disliked his appearance and stammer and preferred his second son Tadanaga, who is bright, handsome, and admired. Hidetada's wife Oeyo uses her influence on other ministers such as the lord of Owari, Chief Chamberlain Doi, and Councilor Sakai, who join her in backing Tadanaga as heir. The young Chamberlain Matsudaira and Lady Kasuga, leader of the harem, back Iemitsu. The scheming nobles Sanjo Saneeda and Karasuma Ayamaro hope for the downfall of the government altogether.