Samurai Fiction

Samurai Fiction

Year: 1998

Runtime: 111 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Hiroyuki Nakano

ActionComedy

A warrior-in-training and his bumbling friends go in pursuit of a stolen sword.

Neutral
Happy ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Samurai Fiction (1998)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Samurai Fiction (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Feudal Japan

Set in a period of samurai code and clan politics, the era emphasizes strict honor, ritual, and personal sacrifice. Plum-age duels and quests for priceless heirlooms define the pace, with fortunes turning on a sword's recovery. The environment mirrors a world where loyalty to family and master often clashes with individual pride.

Location

Feudal Japan, Okatsu's gambling house, Mizuguchi's estate, river and cliff

The story unfolds in a feudal Japanese setting, moving between a samurai clan estate and the shadowy gambling houses that line the countryside. Key locations include Okatsu's gambling house, Mizuguchi's rustic residence, and the perilous riverbank where the stolen sword reappears. These places frame a world where honor, loyalty, and revenge drive the characters' every move.

🏯 Feudal Japan 🗺️ Samurai culture ⚖️ Honor code

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:44

Main Characters – Samurai Fiction (1998)

Meet the key characters of Samurai Fiction (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Heishirō Inukai (Mitsuru Fukikoshi)

A young noble and son of a clan officer, Heishirō is driven by a fierce sense of honor. He insists on retrieving the stolen sword despite his father's admonitions, and his impulsiveness pushes him into dangerous situations. He ultimately accepts nonlethal, strategic methods taught by Mizoguchi, and his arc centers on balancing duty with personal growth.

⚔️ Noble 🛡️ Courage 🧭 Determination

Koharu Mizoguchi (Tamaki Ogawa)

Daughter of the older samurai Mizoguchi, Koharu becomes entangled in the conflicts surrounding the sword. She becomes the object of Kazamatsuri's schemes and is central to the alliance formed with Heishirō. Her position between danger and loyalty drives key choices in the resolution.

💞 Loyal 🕊️ Compassionate ⚖️ Caught between

Hanbei Mizoguchi (Morio Kazama)

An older, respected master who favors restraint over brute force. He dissuades Heishirō from fighting directly and instead advocates a cunning approach. He ultimately reveals past actions and helps guide the rescue mission, eventually becoming an official in Heishirō's clan.

🧠 Wise 🗺️ Strategist 🗡️ Reserved

Kazamatсуri (Tomoyasu Hotei)

The enigmatic and dangerous antagonist who steals the clan's heirloom sword. He manipulates those around him, kills Okatsu, and kidnaps Koharu in pursuit of his own goals. His resolve is unyielding, and his eventual defeat is a result of both cunning and circumstance.

⚔️ Ruthless 🗡️ Manipulative 🔎 Cunning

Lady Okatsu (Mari Natsuki)

Owner of a gambling house who briefly falls for Kazamatсуri. She is bribed by a ninja to poison Heishirō's sake, but her fate is sealed when Kazamatсуri uses the betrayal to justify harming her. Her arc highlights the perilous intersections of desire, greed, and danger in the shadowy underworld of the story.

💞 Romantic 🎲 Gambler 🏯 Gambling-house owner

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:44

Major Themes – Samurai Fiction (1998)

Explore the central themes of Samurai Fiction (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Honor

Honor serves as the central currency of the characters. Heishirō pursues the stolen sword to restore his family's name, even against his father's wishes. The film contrasts direct confrontation with strategic restraint, especially when Mizoguchi urges nontraditional combat. The pursuit tests loyalty to clan, master, and self.

💞 Love

Romantic entanglements complicate loyalties and decisions. Okatsu's affection for Kazamatsuri and Koharu's ties to Mizoguchi's world shape the plot's stakes. Love becomes a catalyst for risk, betrayal, and tragic consequences that ripple through both families. The narrative shows how affection can both motivate and endanger those involved.

🧭 Duty vs Mercy

The characters juggle duty to clan and personal mercy. Mizoguchi teaches restraint, preferring cunning over sheer force, while Heishirō's impetuous drive challenges that restraint. The story weighs stern obligation against compassion, culminating in a choice between vengeance and protection.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:44

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Samurai Fiction Summary

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Samurai Fiction Summary

Samurai Fiction Timeline

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Samurai Fiction Timeline

Samurai Fiction Spoiler-Free Summary

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Samurai Fiction Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Samurai Fiction

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Samurai Fiction (1998) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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