Based on the novel by Katsukiyo Oyama of the same title, the movie is about the life of the most famous swordsman in Japanese history, Musashi Miyamoto, after he defeats Kojiro Sasaki at Ganryu Island.
The story picks up after Musashi (Kinnosuke Yorozuya) defeats his arch rival Kojiro Sasaki. Sasaki's disciples, and his self proclaimed wife Orin (Kyoko Enami) stalks him to take his life. His long time love interest Oko (Wakako Sakai), ends up chasing after Musashi, but he always seems one step ahead of her. A gang of kidnappers headed by Heizo Ookawa are selling Japanese women to the Portuguese in exchange for rifles. Oko almost gets kidnapped by this gang. Musashi unaware of all this ends up in a place called Iwato Kannon in Kumamoto to purify his spirit. By chance, Oko is planning to pray to Iwato Kannon, but she falls ill. Musashi meets Tahara Morito (Kazuo Nakamura) who's a blind lute player. He knows the whereabouts of Oko, and tells Musashi that she's in Kumamoto looking for him. At the same time, Heizo Ookawa is looking to avenge Musashi also. They meet while Musashi is on his way to meet Oko, and battle ensues. But Heizo's gang are no match for Musashi. Musashi ends up killing Heizo too, obliterating the kidnapping gang. He goes to see Oko, but unexpected reaction awaits him.
At this point in life, Musashi had nothing more to prove, but his past isn't about to let him free anytime soon. There are no other novel that deals with this latter part of Musashi's life, so in a way it's a precious information about the legendary swordsman. There's another movie version of this story starring Kinya Kitaooji that was made in 1996.
The movie is not technically a masterpiece, but acting of Mannosuke is superb, and will be a satisfying experience to see him in action as Miyamoto Musashi. If you're interested in the story of Musashi Miyamoto, this movie is recommended for viewing.
7.5/10
