Masato Sakai (36) and Yukie Nakama (30) will co-star in director Yoshimitsu Morita's adaptation of "Bushi no Kakeibo," a historical novel by Michifumi Isoda.

The story is set during the Meiji Restoration of the late Edo period. Sakai plays the "abacus samurai" Hachidaime Naoyuki, an accountant for the powerful Kaga Domain. However, with the decline of the feudal system and other economic troubles, Hachidaime and his wife (Nakama) must deal with the loss of status and wealth. Together, the two focus on keeping their household together with what little they have left.

Filming starts on December 3 in Kanazawa, where the story takes place. "Bushi no Kakeibo" will get a 2010 release, distributed jointly by Asmik Ace and Shochiku.