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The Tale of Zatoichi

Original title: Zatôichi monogatari
  • 19621962
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Drama
The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur who also happens to be a master swordsman.The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur who also happens to be a master swordsman.The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur who also happens to be a master swordsman.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
5.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Kenji Misumi
  • Writers
    • Minoru Inuzuka(screenplay)
    • Kan Shimozawa(short story)
  • Stars
    • Shintarô Katsu
    • Masayo Banri
    • Ryûzô Shimada
Top credits
  • Director
    • Kenji Misumi
  • Writers
    • Minoru Inuzuka(screenplay)
    • Kan Shimozawa(short story)
  • Stars
    • Shintarô Katsu
    • Masayo Banri
    • Ryûzô Shimada
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 30User reviews
    • 42Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Photos35

    Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
    Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
    Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
    Shigeru Amachi and Shintarô Katsu in Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
    Shintarô Katsu in Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
    Shintarô Katsu and Michirô Minami in Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
    Shigeru Amachi and Shintarô Katsu in Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
    Shintarô Katsu in Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
    Shigeru Amachi and Shintarô Katsu in Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
    Shigeru Amachi and Shintarô Katsu in Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
    Masayo Banri and Shintarô Katsu in Zatôichi monogatari (1962)
    Shintarô Katsu in Zatôichi monogatari (1962)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Shintarô Katsu
    Shintarô Katsu
    • Zatôichias Zatôichi…
    Masayo Banri
    Masayo Banri
    • Taneas Tane…
    Ryûzô Shimada
    Ryûzô Shimada
    • Shigezô of Sasagawaas Shigezô of Sasagawa…
    Hajime Mitamura
    • Hanji of Matsugishias Hanji of Matsugishi
    Shigeru Amachi
    Shigeru Amachi
    • Hirate, Mikias Hirate, Miki
    Michirô Minami
    Michirô Minami
    • Tatekichias Tatekichi…
    Eijirô Yanagi
    Eijirô Yanagi
    • Sukegorô of Iiokaas Sukegorô of Iioka…
    Toshio Chiba
    • Masakichias Masakichi
    • (as Toshirô Chiba)
    • …
    Manabu Morita
    Manabu Morita
    • Seisukeas Seisuke…
    Yoshindo Yamaji
    • Yaheias Yahei
    • (as Yoshito Yamaji)
    • …
    Yôichi Funaki
    • Yogorôas Yogorô…
    Eigorô Onoe
    • Riheias Rihei…
    Ikuko Môri
    Ikuko Môri
    • Yutakaas Yutaka…
    Chitose Maki
    • Yoshias Yoshi…
    Kin'ya Ichikawa
    • Mokichias Mokichi…
    Jun Fujikawa
    • Iioka yakuzaas Iioka yakuza
    Yukio Horikita
    • Kanajias Kanaji…
    Yûji Hamada
    • Iioka yakuza memberas Iioka yakuza member
    • Director
      • Kenji Misumi
    • Writers
      • Minoru Inuzuka(screenplay)
      • Kan Shimozawa(short story)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
    7.2
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    New Tale of Zatoichi
    7.3
    New Tale of Zatoichi
    Zatoichi the Fugitive
    7.2
    Zatoichi the Fugitive
    Zatoichi on the Road
    7.1
    Zatoichi on the Road
    Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
    7.3
    Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
    Fight, Zatoichi, Fight
    7.4
    Fight, Zatoichi, Fight
    Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
    7.2
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    Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
    7.0
    Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
    Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
    7.3
    Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
    Adventures of Zatoichi
    7.2
    Adventures of Zatoichi
    Zatoichi
    7.1
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    Zatoichi Challenged
    7.5
    Zatoichi Challenged

    Storyline

    Edit
    An impoverished blind masseur becomes a mercenary swordsman, to gain basic respect. The first of novelist Kan Shimozawa's Zatoichi series: 26 films, a TV series and a play, all but two starring controversial singer/producer/director Shintaro Katsu. First of six Zatoichi films directed by Kenji Misumi. The shrewd Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighboring town's smaller gang is brewing. The broke ex-masseur "Ichi" immediately wins big, by taking advantage of local bakuto's cheating, after they scoff at his asking to join a dice game. The larger horde, who have been given carte blanche by the local governor, summoned Zatoichi. Zatoichi hates the fact that he's become an outlaw, so he strikes up a friendship with the other gang's honorable hired samurai, who has TB. —David Stevens
    • tough guy
    • action hero
    • blind
    • blind man
    • showdown
    • 26 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Adventure
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Hanji's wife Yoshi practices "ohaguro" (literally: "black teeth.") In many areas of Asia, blackened teeth were considered a sign of beauty and maturity. In Japan, the practice was banned by the government in 1870.
    • Goofs
      When Hirate and Zatoichi are about to fight near the end, the horn of a modern ship can be heard in the background.
    • Quotes

      Zatôichi: [after asking Zatoichi what she would do with having so many children] Just don't raise them to be gangsters.

      Tane: I won't... But why do you say that?

      Zatôichi: Because to be a gangster is a foolish way to live.

      Tane: Then why don't you live a decent life?

      Zatôichi: It's like being stuck in a bog; it's not easy to pull yourself out once you've fallen in.

    • Connections
      Featured in Best in Action: 1961 (2018)

    User reviews30

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A Blind Master Teaches Honor, Dignity and Restraint
    First in a line of twenty-six(!) samurai movies about a blind master swordsman who roams the countryside, conning the con-men and dicing the wannabe tough guys. In this chapter, Zatoichi accepts the hospitality of a small-time yakuza boss and allows himself to be enlisted into a simmering turf war. He finds a kindred spirit in an opposing ronin, a fellow pawn in the schemes of others, and mourns that their fates seem destined to converge in a duel.

    The Tale of Zatoichi contains very little action, only a few lightning-fast demonstrations before the big battle at the end, but that restraint is careful and deliberate. In lieu of bloodier material, we learn to appreciate Ichi's meditative nature, recognize the shades of grey in his surroundings, enjoy the scenery of a small feudal village and anticipate the inevitability of the moment he finally bares his blade. Shintaro Katsu is calm and confident in that leading role, carrying himself with composed dignity while also selling the gravity of his handicap. As the supporting cast makes light of his condition and underestimates his capabilities, we observe his keener senses of hearing and smell, aides which he keeps to himself, and note the quiet stock he takes of everyone milling about.

    At heart, this is a straightforward example of the genre. It hits many of the same notes you'll see in its contemporaries - strict code of honor, cynical worldview, reluctant violence, understated emotions - but it does these things well and is old enough that it could probably be credited with popularizing a few of them. I'm looking forward to watching this character develop.
    helpful•0
    0
    • drqshadow-reviews
    • Jan 3, 2022

    FAQ6

    • How and when did Zatoichi become blind?
    • What is a yakuza?
    • How old is Zatoichi?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 18, 1962 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Language
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Zatoichi
    • Production company
      • Daiei
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

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