전통의 도시 교토에서 기모노로 가업을 이어가는 치에코(마츠유키 야스코)와 류스케(이하라 츠요시)는 점점 어려워지는 사회적 분위기 속에서도 그들의 전통을 꿋꿋이 지켜나간다. 그들에게는 마이(하시모토 아이)라는 딸이 있지만, 그녀는 부모들의 바람과는 달리 가업보다는 파리로 유학을 떠나 새로운 것을 배우고자 하는 욕망이 크다. 한편 어린 시절 치에코와 헤어진 나에코 역시 유이(나루미 리코)라는 딸이 있고, 그녀는 파리에서 유학 중이다. 그러던 중 졸업작품을 선정하는 과정에서 무엇을 그릴까 고민하는 마이에게 나에코는 어린 시절 치에코가 자신에게 준 오비를 딸에게 건내어 준다.
Veteran director Nakajima Sadao examines the appeal, background, context and transition of chambara, or period sword-fighting and samurai films, in Kyoto. Not only interviews with actors, choreographers and critiques are included, but the director orchestrates an original chambara scene for the documentary.
1732, in the era of Yoshimune Tokugawa. West Japan suffers from a severe famine. Three years after wards, it appeared as though calm had been restored to the domain, but there is word that Jyuzo Matsumiya, the sword fighting instructor sent by the shogunate, is taking some suspicious actions.
A young female samurai comes upon a dying messenger and agrees to deliver the scroll he was carrying to its destination. However, unbeknownst to her, the scroll is actually a formula for a new kind of gunpowder. An evil clan that is planning to overthrow the Emperor is also after the scroll, and they try to take it from her.
Set during the last days of the Tokugawa (Edo) Period, Moeyo-ken tells the story of Hijikata Toshizo and the Shinsengumi. Hijikata Toshizo is a samurai eager to test his skills and sword and make his first kill. The dojo he belongs to practices the Tennen Rishin style and teaches this to farmers. Not considered real samurai by other dojo's, they receive a request for a duel by a rival dojo practicing the Kogen Itto style. Sohaku Rokusha, a teacher there, challenges them and fights with Hijikata Toshizo. The outcome of the fight creates a deadly animosity between them that lasts through the ages.
