In a role reminiscent of his most famous character, the nameless 'Yojimbo', Mifune Toshiro is ”The Lowly Ronin”. Calling himself Shunka Shuto (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter), he saves a young lord from an assassination attempt and finds himself a wanted man! Accused of being a thief by those who tried to murder the child, he must clear himself of this horrible accusation. Meanwhile he's befriended by a mysterious old woman, calling him 'her son' she tries to use him for her own purposes.