Derives from Noh and Kabuki plays depicting a famous twelfth-century incident in which the lord Yoshitsune and a small group of samurai cross enemy territory disguised as monks and must persuade border guards to let them through.

Continues the story of Sugata, a hero who uses judo to protect the poor and weak. This sequel to Akira Kurosawa's first film, which Kurosawa was compelled to make under studio pressure, reunites most of the principal cast members from the original.

A story of feminist self-discovery set in pre-war Japan. A woman breaks conventions by striking out on her own and being self-sufficient.