(1962, b/w; Japanese) Into a shrine with nine young men - a resistance group, led by Iori Izaka, nephew to the chamberlain, to the clan's corruption - enters Tsubaki Sanjuro (Toshiro Mifune), having overheard their conversation. The ronin (a samurai with no lord or master) in rags and stubble on his face says: "People are not what they seem. Be careful…. You'd never suspect who the worst are."

The superintendent Kukui, whom they'd assumed to be their ally, has surrounded them. "Just leave it to me," recommends Sanjuro, who then makes an impressive demonstration of his prowess with his sword. Toward the rescue of Izaka's uncle (who has been detained for having evidence of the corruption) and aunt and their daughter Chidori, Sanjuro in his abrasive, outspoken manner directs the group's movements.

After the womenfolk have been released from their captors, the old lady, observing that he is like a sword without a scabbard, reprimands Sanjuro: "Killing people is a bad habit." Companion piece to Yojimbo (1961), director Akira Kurosawa - co-screenwriter with Ryuzo Kikushima and Hideo Oguni - followed up his popular feudal-period drama with this similarly sly picture (the music and elements of action wink and nudge), based on Shugoro Yamamoto's novel, Peaceful Days; inspired by western-genre films, its chop-suey Bushid? became the inspiration for later spaghetti westerns.

As in his previous incarnation, somewhat like the stranger without a name, the eccentric Sanjuro invents his appellation (changing from Mulberry Field thirty-year-old to Camillia thirty-year-old), though he admits he's closer to 40. Remaining relaxed and thoughtful, scratching at his chest, chin, and cheeks, eating and sleeping whenever possible, while the young men get excited and anxious, he advises waiting and watching rather than rash action. When the young men, nevertheless, insist on a reckless endeavor, Sanjuro remarks that it's a stupid plan, "But some excitement might keep me awake."

However, after yet another incident of their foolishness - "I've had enough of you idiots" - the samurai tells them he's going over to offer his services to Muroto, Kikui's henchman, in whom he recognizes something of himself. Once the chamberlain is coerced into making his confession, Muroto explains to Sanjuro, Kikui can get him out of the way and take over the clan.

The resistance fighters, after arguing among themselves whether or not to trust the samurai, act on their own. "Aren't you tired of being stupid yet?" asks a frustrated Sanjuro, pointing out the butchery they've forced him to perform.

A signal is devised to alert Izaka and his companions when to attack Kurofuji's Camillia mansion next door, where the chamberlain is being held; but after Sanjuro has departed, a flaw is realized too late in the next trick, from their cooperative captive's volunteering information, leaving the ronin once again to fend for himself.

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