13 Assassins

is a 1963 Japanese jidaigeki (period drama) film directed by Eiichi Kudo. Plot In 1844, the Tokugawa shogunate in Japan is in a period of transition, and one of the high ranking lords, Lord Matsudaira, has become tainted by his dissolute and reprobate misconduct. Many leaders in the governing community of the current government feel that the code of honor, bushido, of the samurai is being disgraced by Matsudaira. His reprobate, egotistical, and feckless lifestyle is disgusting to those who come into close contact with him. After receiving reports, Sir Doi is convinced that Matsudaira represents a severe threat to the entire code of honor for the samurai tradition. Sir Doi decides, because of the severity of Matsudaira's misconduct, to take a blood oath to assassinate the reprobate Lord Matsudaira. He enlists a troop of assassins to swear a similar blood oath to do away with Matsudaira in order to restore his country's wellbeing and code of honor. Cast as Narrator Chiezō Kataoka as Shinzaemon Shimada Kōtarō Satomi as Shinrokurō Shimada Ryōhei Uchida as Hanbei kitou Tetsurō Tanba as Doi Toshitsura Satomi Oka