This NHK drama tells the story of the Sanada family which rose to prominence in the Sengoku period. Originally serving the Takeda Clan they ruled the Chiisagata District of Northern Shinano, captured Numata Castle in NW Kozuke province, built Ueda Castle, and even defeated an attack by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1585. Prominent Generals of that time period praised them for their military strength and witty strategies, regarding them as prized Warriors of the age.
Many legends state that the family also raised and specially trained their own Ninja to carry out reconnaissance missions. These Ninja were also capable Warriors, believed to possess their own superhuman abilities. Their intelligence network for the Sanada Clan is said to spread across the entire country. Legend also says that Sanada Yukimura had 10 Ninja Heroes who took an active part at the Battles of Osaka Castle. They were called the 'Sanada Ten Braves' (Sanada Juyushi).
This NHK Drama begins right after the death of Takeda Shingen and continues through the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu who founded the Tokugawa Shogunate and covers roughly the period 1582 - 1615.
武田に仕えていた一豪族ながら、上杉、北条、徳川ら大名と互角に戦い、戦国の世に名を知らしめた真田一族。その陰には、敵味方に別れた父子、兄弟の愛と葛藤（かっとう）があった。軍略と反骨の武将・真田昌幸を丹波哲郎、真田の命脈を守り通す嫡男・信幸を渡瀬恒彦、武勇の誉れ高い次男・幸村を草刈正雄が熱演。真田一族の興亡と忍びの活躍を描く池波正太郎の小説を映像化した昭和６０年（１９８５）放送の大型時代劇。
