Yukiko Todoroki

Trapped in a loveless marriage, a disillusioned young woman confides in her younger cousin when he returns home from battle at the end of WWII.

Sanshiro, a strong but stubborn youth, abandons his jujutsu training to master the art of judo from the master Shogoro Yano by combining the competitive elements of the art with the quiet, meditative aspects of the fighting style.

Sugata returns to prove his mastery of judo while facing a moral dilemma: Will he compromise his training to protect the honor of the dojo?