In 16th century Japan lives Rikyu (Rentarô Mikuni), a Buddhist priest who believes in the spiritual healing inherent in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. When this man of peace sets out to teach this intricate ritual and its philosophies to Toyotomi (Tsutomu Yamazaki), a powerful shogun, the two men develop an unlikely friendship. However, when Toyotomi's blind ambition urges him to invade China, their bond is threatened as this soft-spoken monk raises his voice in dissent.