The blind itinerant masseur and skilled swordsman, Zatoichi, finds himself near the village of his mentor, Hikonoichi, and decides to pay a visit. Upon arrival, he discovers that Hikonoichi has recently been robbed and murdered, and that his innocent daughter, Osayo, has been forced into a brothel. Befriending Denroku, a local dice player and caring father, Ichi uncovers a corrupt partnership between the governor and the local strongman. Their schemes include manipulating tax records to indebt farmers, subsequently coercing their daughters into working at the strongman’s brothel. With assistance from Denroku’s daughter, Otsuru, Ichi provides solace to Osayo while preparing to confront the villains and their minions.