Kumonosu jô (Throne of Blood) is a Japanese film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s famous literary masterpiece, Macbeth. In this particular film, Lord Washizu (Toshiro Mifune) has recently returned home from a great military victory and is being honored and promoted by the Emperor. This promotion and glory lead to his growing popularity and support amongst his people. This influences him to plot to overthrow the Emperor and he himself to become the newest Emperor. He is aided in the planning and execution of this course of action by his equally deceptive wife, Asaji (Isuzu Yamada). They do indeed make a claim to and gain the throne, but their reign as Emperor and Empress is short lived and filled with blood shed.