Kyoto - in the Spring of 1865.
At the temple Nishi-Honganji, the Shinsengumi militia is choosing new recruits to become samurai warriors.
Commander Isami Kondo (Sai) and lieutenant Toshizo Hijikata (Takeshi) are supervising the recruiting process.
Those hoping to be chosen must face off the best man in the militia, Soji Okita (Takeda).
When the dust settles, only two men are left standing - Hyozo Tashiro (Asano), a swaggering low-ranked samurai,
and Sozaburo Kano (Matsuda), a vain young man whose bewitching beauty attracts the attentions of every man
he meets, even those not prone to "such feelings".
The two men who most desire Kano are Hijikata and Tashiro, whose competition for his affections causes conflict
amongst the militia.