Dark Music Of The Gods
The year is 1458. A child is born in the village of Otsuka, in Musashi Province. His name is Shino Inuzuka. After coming of age, he is entrusted with a legendary sword, the Murasame, by his father Bansaku. Shino's father, however, commits hara-kiri after losing face when his brother-in-law, Hikiroku Otsuka, tries to trick him into giving up the sword, Then Shino, devastated by his father's death, somehow comes into possession of a small bead, On this strange bead, the Chinese character ""KO"", symbolizing filial devotion mysteriously appears.
Aired 25/10/1990EP 2 - Dark Music Of The Gods

The Hakkenden: Legend of the Dog Warriors
"During the blood-soaked feudal wars of Japan, the Awa clan faced certain extinction from a rival clan backed by demonic forces. Their clan's salvation becomes a curse when the family dog brings back the head of the enemy warlord but insists upon marrying the lord's daughter! This unnatural union bears fruit, but they are killed; and their eight unborn pups reincarnate as the eight Dog Warriors - The Hakkenden. The eight reincarnated souls travel their separate paths of violence and retribution, but slowly they come together as a formidable group representing the eight virtues of the bushido to slay the demons and redeem their clan!"
(Source: DVD Complete Series Back Cover)