Having put down his sword and given up the will to fight, the masterless samurai Iemon lives in solitude while being haunted by his violent enigmatic past. Persuaded by a travelling priest and a blind masseur he agrees to marry the lady Iwa who's face has been left horribly scarred after a long illness. Their union is cut short when Ito the head of the guard, and one of Iwa's former suitors, begins spreading foul rumours about Iemon driving a wedge between the lovers. The two go their separate ways while still being haunted by the memories of each other and the time they shared. Still harbouring feelings for one another both Iemon and Iwa's worlds are plunged into turmoil resulting in a bloody and dramatic finale.