A nameless ronin, or samurai with no master, enters a small village in feudal Japan where two rival businessmen are struggling for control of the local gambling trade. Taking the name Sanjuro Kuwabatake, the ronin convinces both silk merchant Tazaemon and sake merchant Tokuemon to hire him as a personal bodyguard, then artfully sets in motion a full-scale gang war between the two ambitious and unscrupulous men.
as Sanjuro Kuwabatake / The Samurai
as Unosuke, gunfighter
as Nui
as Orin
as Inokichi
as Seibê - brothel operator
as Tokuemon, sake brewer
as Yoichiro
as Kohei's Son
as Gonji, Tavern Keeper
as Tazaemon
as Hansuke
as The Cooper (Coffin-Maker)
as Homma, Instructor Who Skips Town
as Ushitora
as Kuma
as Ronin Kobuhachi
as First Samurai
as First Foot Soldier
as Kame
as Kannuki the Giant
as Kohei
as Magotaro
as Roku - Samurai Whose Arm is Cut
as Matsukichi
as Kumosuke
as Ushitora Follower
as Yahachi
as Sukeju
as Second Samurai
as Farmer
as Traveler
as Farmer's Ex-wife
as Seibei Follower
as Seibei Follower
as Seibei Follower
as Ushitora Follower
as Seibei Follower
as Ushitora Follower
as Ushitora Follower
as Ushitora Follower
as Seibei Follower
as Second Foot Soldier
as Ushitora Follower
as Seibei Follower
as Ushitora Follower
as Woman at Seibei's House
as Woman at Seibei's House
as Woman at Seibei's House