In feudal Japan, the country is experiencing a rare period of peace, in which the samurai has become obsolete. Gonza (Hiromi Goh) is one of these samurai, a warrior who must now find a new occupation. He tries to curry favor with the lord of his clan through an elaborate, traditional tea ritual. However, he must first scheme his way into the lord's inner circle by using his charms to woo various noblewomen, and he leaves a complicated mess of emotions in his wake.