

Shipwrecked off the coast of Japan, British sea pilot John Blackthorne, is in danger of being executed by the suspicious, reclusive Japanese hierarchy, but before long he has been accepted into the local culture. Accordingly, he begins to think of himself as Japanese, adopting the nation's customs and, while wearing the robes of a Samurai warrior, helping to defend the land against its enemies. The arrival of Blackthorne unfortunately arouses the interest of European empire-builders, who hope to add Japan to their holdings.

John Blackthorne
Richard Chamberlain

Yoshi Toranaga
Toshirô Mifune

Vasco Rodrigues
John Rhys-Davies

Lady Toda Buntaro - Mariko
Yoko Shimada

Kasigi Yabu
Frankie Sakai