With the river in flood after heavy rains, a group of travellers is stranded at a small country inn. Among them are Ihei Misawa, a poor ronin (masterless samurai), and his wife, Tayo. As the rain continues, tensions rise among the guests at the inn, and Ihei takes it upon himself to cheer everyone up by arranging for a splendid feast. He has no money, however, and to pay for it goes into the local castle town. Once there, Ihei finds himself mixed up with Shigeaki, the lord of the domain, and an assortment of younger samurai.