This long-running TV drama focuses on a band of assassins (shigotonin) for hire in feudal Japan. I watched it years ago to help my study of Japanese language. I could not believe what I was seeing on the TV screen because the series was so skewed and offbeat.The show was written to a formula, and each week the story line was similar. Downtrodden commoners needed revenge for injustice and the cruel misdeeds of various bureaucrats and the wealthy and powerful. I believe the hit team was sent on assignment by a Buddhist nun, but they often did pro bono work for a deserving person. One season the band of assassins were disguised as traveling entertainers.Each episode ended the same way. Each team member was shown rushing to the designated location for the hit. Each one had a particular specialty weapon---a sword, a garrote, a sharpened hairpin. This was a set piece for each episode. Justice triumphs!
