Set in Japan, Seibei is a low ranking Samurai and a widower, with two young daughters and an aging mother to support. One day, he encounters Tomoe, a childhood friend and beautiful divorcee and the two quickly strike up a friendship. Fearing he is too poor to make an offer of marriage to Tomoe, the humble Seibei accepts an order to kill a troublesome samurai and win back his wealth and honor - not knowing that Tomoe has made plans to marry another.