The blind masseur and swordmaster, Zatoichi, is featured in Japan’s long running series of films and television series set in the Edo period. Zatoichi was created by novelist Kan Shimozawa. The screen version of Zatoichi was created by Daiei Studios and actor Shintaro Katsu.
Twenty-six films were made from 1962 to 1989. A television series titled Zatoichi ran from 1972 to 1974. Zatoichi is a harmless blind masseur who travels around the country. He makes his living by gambling, giving massages, performing acupuncture, singing, and playing music. He is also a skilled swordsman as well as Sumo wrestler. He is known to carry a well-made shikomi-zue or cane sword. One of the recurring themes of the films and television series is his protection of the innocent from oppressive or warring yakuza gangs. The first film in the series is The Tale of Zatoichi from 1962, and is directed by Kenji Misumi. The last film in the original film series is Zatoichi, Darkness Is His Ally (1989), and was directed by Shintaro Katsu.
The blind masseur and swordmaster, Zatoichi, is featured in Japan’s long running series of films and television series set in the Edo period. Zatoichi was created by novelist Kan Shimozawa. The screen version of Zatoichi was created by Daiei Studios and actor Shintaro Katsu.
