The Tale of Zatoichi

The epic saga of Zatoichi begins. As tensions mount between rival yakuza clans, one boss hires a formidable but ailing ronin as his clan’s muscle—while the other employs a humble, moral blind masseur named Ichi. With its lightning-fast swordplay, sleight-of-hand dice games, and codes of honor upheld and betrayed, this first chapter sets the stage for all the Zatoichi adventures to come. Shintaro Katsu brings author Kan Shimozawa’s blind swordsman to vivid life, making the character excitingly, indelibly his own.

Directed by Kenji Misumi (LONE WOLF AND CUB), the first Zatoichi film was so popular that its sequel went into production the very same year. It now stands as one of Japan’s longest-running film series with total of 26 films made between 1962 and 1989. Several adaptations have been created since, including a television series, an American remake titled BLIND FURY (1989), a modern 2003 version from Japanese superstar Takeshi Kitano, and a stage production from auteur Takashi Miike.

Presented in Japanese language with English subtitles.