Onna sazen: Nuretsubame katate giri

Yasuda Michiyo was brutally attacked when a greedy daimyo lord tries to steal her father's legendary samurai sword, leaving her with no family, only one eye and one arm. Luckily she retains the sword and becomes a master samurai to boot, much to the unpleasant surprise for the gangsters and thugs who cross her path. She rescues a beautiful young woman who escapes from the local temple that is run like a brothel by the corrupt head monk and again comes to the attention of the lord who really wants that sword.

While fitting squarely in with the '60s style of Japanese yakuza/samurai films, albeit with less style than something by, say, Suzuki Seijun, director Yasuda Kimiyoshi manages a very satisfactory experience for the viewer - particularly if these sorts of films are your thing - that keeps you watching and doesn't insult your intelligence. Acting, art direction, and camera work are all up to par, so while it may not be a Seven Samurai level work it is totally entertaining and an easy watch at about 75 minutes.