The film is set towards the end of the Meiji Period. The Meiji Period saw considerable western influence throughout Japanese culture, politics and society, but too heralded the end of the Edo Shogunate, Bushido Code and the Age of Samurai. Hence, Lady Snowblood's character is practically unique in the world of the film.
This film is part of the jidaigeki (period drama) genre, but is also a chanbara (sword fighting) film.
Along with the previous 'Lady Snowblood', this movie served as one of the main inspirations for Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill' Volumes 1 & 2.
This film is part of the Criterion Collection, spine #791.