Yataro Tanigawa, a one-eyed hired assassin, impresses yakuza boss Gomyo Kiyoemon with his skill. Gomyo hires Tanigawa as his bodyguard, or yojimbo, to protect him during an inter-clan conflict. Tanigawa quickly rises in stature in the clan, but finds his boss's enemies almost overwhelming.

• Shochiku
• Haiyuza Theater Company
• Tatsuya Nakadai
• Keiko Kishi
• Ayumi Ishida
• Makoto Fujita
• Isao Natsuyagi
• Kayo Matsuo
• Ai Kanzaki
• Tatsuo Umemiya