A hotheaded youth in 1880s Meiji Japan apprentices to judo master Shōgorō Yano, trading brute jujutsu bravado for discipline and humility. As Sanshirō matures, he proves judo’s spirit against old-guard challengers—including a deadly duel—while falling for his vanquished opponent’s daughter. Based on the novel by Tsuneo Tomita, son of Tomita Tsunejirō, the earliest disciple of judo.
Shogoro Yano
Sanshiro Sugata
Sayo Murai
Gennosuke Higaki
Hansuke Murai, Sayo's father
Osumi Kodana
Police Chief Mishima
Master Saburo Kodama