Flower and Sword (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language

2017 · 127 mins · Japanese

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Directed by

Tetsuo Shinohara

Starring

Kiichi Nakai, Kuranosuke Sasaki, Mansai Nomura, Keiko Takeshita, Katsumi Takahashi, Koichi Sato

Set in the late 16th century following Nobunaga Oda’s death, the story follows Hideyoshi Toyotomi as he rises to power, ushering in an era where his rule creates hardship for many. Amidst this turmoil, Monk Senko Ikenobo, a skilled master of flower arrangement, seeks to inspire hope and pray for peace. He develops a close friendship with Rikyu, a monk and influential figure in chanoyu, whose profound impact on the traditional tea ceremony is significant. Ultimately, Rikyu is ordered to perform hara-kiri by Toyotomi, prompting Senko to challenge the powerful leader.