One of the characters in the film carries a cane which is in fact a disguised sword. This type of katana was known as shikomizue, and both it's handle and it's sheath comprised the cane.
Seppuku is seen in this film. This was the ritual suicide carried out by shamed or defeated samurai. It involved using the tanto (short sword) to cut open your own abdomen. A second (generally another samurai, either friend or foe, who was respected) would oversee this and behead the intended to ensure a swift and honourable death.
Many women in the film have blackened teeth. This was a Japanese practice known as ohaguro, and was to denote that a woman was married.
This film falls into both the jidaigeki (period drama) and chanbara (sword fighting) genres.
Many samurai in the film are seen carrying two swords. This practice was known as daisho. Translated this means 'big-little'. The big sword was the longer and curved katana, generally used for duelling and combat. However, the short sword was the tanto, most commonly associated with seppuku.