When her crime boss husband is sent to prison, a woman assumes control of one of the most powerful gangs in Japan.

After the death of previous Boss, a gang war lasts for more than four years.

Veteran director Nakajima Sadao examines the appeal, background, context and transition of chambara, or period sword-fighting and samurai films, in Kyoto. Not only interviews with actors, choreographers and critiques are included, but the director orchestrates an original chambara scene for the documentary.

This story is based on the novel "Jo no mai" by Tomiko Miyao which is based on the life of painter Shōen Uemura (1875–1949), the first woman to be awarded the Order of Culture. The title refers to the masterpiece bijinga ("picture of a beautiful woman") that Uemura painted at the age of 61. The main character, Tsuya Shimamura, is born in Kyoto as the second daughter of a tea trader who dies before her birth. Tsuya, who loves painting more than anything and is hopeless at housework, attends art school and at age 15 receives the name Shōsui (from the characters for "pine" and "green") from her teacher. The crown prince of England purchases one of her works, propelling her to fame overnight. The novel portrays the remainder of her stormy life, during which she is impregnated by her teacher and raises a fatherless child; through it all she devotes herself to her painting, undaunted.

Fewer samurai films are being made, and the Uzumasa studio has fallen on hard times. One day, veteran "kirareyaku" (whose job it is to be felled with a sword by a film's star) actor Kamiyama is tasked with teaching sword action techniques to fledgling actress Satsuki. A few years later, the now-retired Kamiyama is visited by Satsuki, who has become a popular star.

A serial killing occurs at a port town brothel.

Formerly a covert spy under the shogunate, ronin Azami Onijuro and his carefree companion, ronin, journeyed along the Kiso Highway. As they approached the Echizen Domain, they encountered a woman named Osode. Recognizing Onijuro's formidable skills, she asked for his help as she was on her way to Owari. Osode, the daughter of the second-ranking retainer of the Katsuyama Domain, carried a blood-sealed letter that served as evidence of a conspiracy involving the assassination of the domain lord by the Deputy Chief and the lord's younger brother. Onijuro's group becomes a target and is chased after by the chief retainer's top enforcer.