The Tale of Zatoichi (1962 film)
Encyclopedia
The Tale of Zatoichi directed by Kenji Misumi, is the first film of a classic Japanese samurai drama saga starring Shintaro Katsu
as Zatoichi
.
Zatoichi is hired by yakuza
gang-leader Sukejoro Iioka (Eijiro Yanagi) as he thinks that war is inevitable with the rival yakuza Shigezo Sasagawa (Ryuzo Shimada). Zatoichi has a distinguished reputation as a swordsman and Sukejoro thinks he is money well spent. Shigezo responds by hiring a ronin
of similar repute, Miki Hirate (Shigeru Amachi). Ichi is a meek and humble man who is commonly underestimated by most men, and looked upon suspiciously. His being a masseur, which was a position of low regard in feudal Japan, merely increases the hostility that is shown towards him. They even try to take advantage of his blindness in a gambling den, but from early on it is clear that Zatoichi draws strength from his disability.
The only person who respects him is Hirate, who has a similar code of practice. Though Hirate and Ichi know they must fight when the war begins, they develop a kind of friendship. Hirate is eager to fight Zatoichi, as he is terminally ill with tuberculosis
. As Hirate becomes increasingly sick, Sukejoro decides to attack Shigezo. He also tells Ichi that he is no longer needed. However, as the war begins, Hirate drags himself from his bed to fight Zatoichi, and word gets to Ichi that Hirate will be fighting and that Sukejoro intends to shoot him with his rifle. Zatoichi travels to the battle to duel with the dying samurai. After the tense final fight, Zatoichi leaves Iioka and rejects the advances of Otane (Masayo Banri), who has become disillusioned with the yakuza lifestyle, to continue as a solitary wanderer.
according to 7 reviews. The film summoned the most sequels of a samurai film and has also spawned a remake in 2003.
Shintaro Katsu
, born Toshio Okumura was a Japanese actor, singer, producer, and director...
as Zatoichi
Zatoichi
is a fictional character featured in one of Japan's longest running series of films and a television series set in the Edo period. The character, a blind masseur and swordmaster, was created by novelist . This originally minor character was developed for the screen by Daiei Studios and actor...
.
Plot
The blind masseurMassage
Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle"...
Zatoichi is hired by yakuza
Yakuza
, also known as , are members of traditional organized crime syndicates in Japan. The Japanese police, and media by request of the police, call them bōryokudan , literally "violence group", while the yakuza call themselves "ninkyō dantai" , "chivalrous organizations". The yakuza are notoriously...
gang-leader Sukejoro Iioka (Eijiro Yanagi) as he thinks that war is inevitable with the rival yakuza Shigezo Sasagawa (Ryuzo Shimada). Zatoichi has a distinguished reputation as a swordsman and Sukejoro thinks he is money well spent. Shigezo responds by hiring a ronin
Ronin
A or rounin was a Bushi with no lord or master during the feudal period of Japan. A samurai became masterless from the death or fall of his master, or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege....
of similar repute, Miki Hirate (Shigeru Amachi). Ichi is a meek and humble man who is commonly underestimated by most men, and looked upon suspiciously. His being a masseur, which was a position of low regard in feudal Japan, merely increases the hostility that is shown towards him. They even try to take advantage of his blindness in a gambling den, but from early on it is clear that Zatoichi draws strength from his disability.
The only person who respects him is Hirate, who has a similar code of practice. Though Hirate and Ichi know they must fight when the war begins, they develop a kind of friendship. Hirate is eager to fight Zatoichi, as he is terminally ill with tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. As Hirate becomes increasingly sick, Sukejoro decides to attack Shigezo. He also tells Ichi that he is no longer needed. However, as the war begins, Hirate drags himself from his bed to fight Zatoichi, and word gets to Ichi that Hirate will be fighting and that Sukejoro intends to shoot him with his rifle. Zatoichi travels to the battle to duel with the dying samurai. After the tense final fight, Zatoichi leaves Iioka and rejects the advances of Otane (Masayo Banri), who has become disillusioned with the yakuza lifestyle, to continue as a solitary wanderer.
Cast
- Shintaro KatsuShintaro Katsu, born Toshio Okumura was a Japanese actor, singer, producer, and director...
as Zatoichi - Masayo Banri as Otane
- Ryūzō Shimada as Shigezō of the Sasagawa Yakuza
- Hajime Mitamura as Hanji of Matsugishi
- Shigeru Amachi as Miki Hirate
- Chitose MakiChitose Makiis a female Japanese manga artist from Chiba, Japan. She is noteworthy as the original illustrator to the Strawberry Panic! series before Namuchi Takumi succeeded her. She worked on the series all up until September 2005 when she unexpectedly quit; the reason why she left was never...
as Hanji's wife Yoshi - Ikuko Mōri as Shigezō's wife Oyutaka
- Michio Minami as Tatekichi of the Iioka Yakuza
- Eijirō Yanagi as Sukegorō of Iioka
- Toshio Chiba as Masakichi of Iioka
- Manabu Morita as Seisuke of Iioka
- Yoichi Funaki as Yogorō of Sasagawa
- Kin'ya Ichikawa as Mokichi of Sasagawa
- Eigorō Onoe as Rihei of Sasagawa
- Yoshito Yamaji as Tatekichi's father Yahei
- Yukio Horikita as Kanaji of Sasagawa
- Ryūji Fukui as Daihachi of Iioka
Reception
The film received positive reviews earning 100% from review aggregator Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
according to 7 reviews. The film summoned the most sequels of a samurai film and has also spawned a remake in 2003.
See also
- List of original Zatoichi films
- Samurai cinemaSamurai cinemaWhile earlier samurai period pieces were more dramatic rather than action-based, samurai movies post World War II have become more action-based, with darker and more violent characters. Post-war samurai epics tended to portray psychologically or physically scarred warriors. Akira Kurosawa stylized...