Slaughter in the Snow

In feudal Japan, women are vulnerable, in need of protection, and capable of deception. Jokichi of Mikogami, a drifter, has not yet fully revenged the death of his wife and son. He searches for Kunisada Chuji, who in turn has hired the knife-throwing Windmill Kobunji to kill him. Kobunji and Jokichi meet in the winter, near Sasago Pass, when both have rescued women: Jokichi has saved the lute-playing Oyae whose clan and whose lover want her dead; Kobunji has rescued Oharu, a well-born woman married to an innkeeper. Is this rescue a whim or something deeper? And why does Jokichi become the consumptive Kobunji's protector? What ultimately will Jokichi do about Oyae?

Cast

Yoshio Harada

Jokichi of Mikogami

Hajime Araki

Kai Ato

Gen Takamori

Toshio Hosoi

Renji Ishibashi

Kusuo Kita

Akiyoshi Kitaura

Hachiro Misumi

Hirasawa Nabuo

Isao Natsuyagi

Setsuko Ogawa