Zatoichi spends much of the film without his sword, which can at times be frustrating but it does add significant tension to certain moments. This was a cane, umbrella or stick with an edged blade inside. They continue to deviate from the formula somewhat, and this time they introduce some supernatural elements that work in some ways and not in others. Yet another entry in the remarkably successful zatoichi film series starring shintaro katsu as a blind swordsman, zatoichis cane sword arrives on dvd with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2. This is a list of all the zatoichi movies starring shintaro katsu. Promising to make a delivery for a dying man, the blind swordsman zatoichi comes across the usual crime gangs but also meets a blind monk who brings into question his use of violence. One part of the zatoichi myth that i find perplexing is the gambling. In zatoichis cane sword, the fifteenth film in the series and definitely one of my favorites, we get to learn a little bit of the fascinating lineage of zatoichis iconic weapon.
Seeing ichi brought to a state of helplessness with out his sword is an interesting twist, as is seeing him afraid for perhaps the first time. With shintaro katsu, shigeru amachi, jun hamamura, mayumi ogawa. Toho was also the studio of the films of akira kurosawa. A hong kong japanese co production this film brings together shintaro katsu s zatoichi with a variation of jimmy wang yu s one armed swordsman. Zatoichis, zatoichi stick swords, and zatoichi walking. However, the town has been taken over by boss iwagoros gang, who have bribed the local inspector and killed off the towns former, kinder boss. Criterion delivers the first 25films of the zatoichi series together for the first time ever on home video in north america on dvd and bluray in this massive 27disc box set. Zatoichi s cane sword is unusually talky for a zatoichi film and the majority of it is just a long slow burn. Zatoichi s cane sword has everything weve come to expect and love in the zatoichi. Zatoichis cane sword 1967 blind japanese swordsman action original 1995 vhs. My expectations were probably a little too high after zatoichis pilgrimage. Cane swords, or shikomizue, were generally straight, lowerquality blades, which could not compare with regular katanas however as revealed in zatoichis cane sword, his weapon is nearly superior to a katana and was created by a master sword smith just before his prime.
Zatoichi s cane sword has one of the most memorable storylines in the series, and ichi s best attempt to lay down his sword and lead an honest life. Zatoichis cane sword 1967 zatoichis cane sword 1967. Ichi meets a master swordsmith named senzo played superbly by the great character actor eijiro tono who examines ichis cane sword and identifies it as the work of his late mentor. If you like old school martial arts movies, you should love this and other zatoichi movies. Jan 10, 2014 with director kenji misumi at the helm, the picture stars sintaro katsu in what has become one of the most iconic character portrayals in all of film. The news prompts zatoichi to hang up his sword, yet leaving the fighting life and. Inspired by the swords seen in the popular movie blind fury, these zatoichi stick swords feature a walking stick with a functional katana blade. Not every zatoichi film qualifies as great cinema, but even when the series falters a bit, every single one of these films is still well worth your time. Zatoichis canesword 1967 zatoichi the outlaw 1967 zatoichi challenged 1967 zatoichi and the fugitives 1968 samaritan zatoichi 1968 zatoichi metts yojimbo 1970 zatoichi goes to the fire festival 1970 zatoichi meets the onearmed swordsman 1970 zatoich at large 1972 zatoichi in desperation 1972 zatoichis conspiracy 1973. Zatoichi spends much of the film without his sword, which can at times be frustrating but it. Jul 26, 2014 this is the first time in the series that he has used his cane sword as an offense rather than defense. Zatoichis cane sword blind japanese swordsman action. While ichi always tangles with the bad guys, they are usually typical faceless hordes of justgoingabouttheirjob gangsters or stone faced, expert swordsmen willing to test their skills for the satisfaction or the money.
The scene is from the 1967 flim zatoichis cane sword. It was originally released by the daiei motion picture company later acquired by kadokawa pictures. The blind swordsman you are looking for exciting, tense and atmospheric movies about with samurai, martial arts, adventure, gangsters, crimes, village and gang themes of action and drama genre shot in japan. The film includes everything we love about ichi, including plenty of the characters trademark humor, fine acting, some of the best characters in the series and a number of truly scary moments. Overview of zatoichis cane sword, 1967, directed by kimiyoshi yasuda, with shintaro katsu, shiho fujimura, eijiro tono, at turner classic movies. The sword has a new blade by the next film, which he wields until the fifteenth film zatoichis cane sword. This would only enhance the payback that comes during the conclusion. Tojinken, also known as zatoichi meets the onearmed swordsman, is a 1971 japanesehong kong chambarawuxia crossover by japanese film director kimiyoshi yasuda and chinese film director hsu tseng hung. Zatoichi was a legendary blind samurai popularized by the blind swordsman films by akira kurosawa. Here is the first time zatoichi cuts a candle, holding its still flaming wick on the edge of his sword and. While they started out by showing several zatoichi the blind swordsman films, they have finally added a film that has a criterion spine number. The movie sword, the blind swordsman walking stick sword.
Zatoichis cane sword 1967 the criterion collection. Ichi gets a ride from some traveling performers en route to a modest town they frequent every year. The cane sword even provides a larger symbol for his recurring mental state as well as the moral imperative that is at the heart of many zatoichi films. Some aspects of the story were unclear to me, and there was some filler material. Zatoichis cane sword has everything weve come to expect and love in the zatoichi. So that way, i wasnt too tense about reprising a famous role. Zatoichi s cane sword adds a few unique layers to the zatoichi lore. Sep 11, 2014 zatoichis flashing sword 1964, film 7 dir. He has an eyeopening encounter with the towns blacksmith, who reveals himself to be the apprentice of the man who forged zatoichis legendary cane sword, and informs zatoichi that its a hairline crack away from snapping. Zatoichis cane sword is unusually talky for a zatoichi film and the majority of it is just a long slow burn. Aside from some good landscape shots, a more confident use of color, the direction was. The colossally popular zatoichi films make up the longestrunning action series in japanese history and created one of the screens great heroes.
Nov 24, 20 theres a moment near the beginning of each film when zatoichi demonstrates his sword prowess, courtesy of filmic sleight of hand. Zatoichis cane sword is a good chambara flick, with all the elements that make the series good film after film. Directed by kimiyoshi yasuda, the helmer of zatoichi s cane sword and daimajin, this entry has a pretty hard and sinister edge. To understand how zatoichis blindness fits into the. Sword canes became popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. But as always, trouble isnt far behind, and the blind swordsman soon finds himself defending a widow from the selfinterest of ruthless thugs and despicable townsfolk. As a fan of zatoichi, and a fan of old school martial arts movies, zatoichis cane sword is in my top 3, and depending on my mood, its number 1. Zatoichis cane sword adds a few unique layers to the zatoichi lore. Shop here for all our zatoichi stick swords, many functional and made with high. His iconic weapon was a traditionally forged japanese sword disguised as a shikomizue and used as a walking stick until the warrior called upon the blade. In hollywood, the blind are represented in film either as pitiful victims, such as in.
Blind swordsman 15 zatoichis cane sword with 25 film sequels and upwards of 100 tv episodes, shintaro katsu is the legendary zatoichi. Between 1962 and 1974 there were 25 zatoichi films made. The 15th film in the zatoichi saga is also one of the best and most entertaining of the films and pure ichi fun. Add to that a successful television series, and, obviously, with that many hours of entertainment devoted to one character, what was created was nothing less than a. Of course, the local gangsters attempt to kill him, and the adventure begins. We offer weapons based on the sword used by this iconic hero. He has an eyeopening encounter with the towns blacksmith, who reveals himself to be the apprentice of the man who forged zatoichis legendary cane. The blind masseurswordsman comes to a town in control of warring gangs, and while bunking with a farming family, he meets two women with their own agenda.
Yet, despite all of kitano s stylistic flourishes, zatoichi is a film that remains firmly entrenched in the. Kazuo ikehiro covered in our volume 3 im an action movie junkie at heart, so my favorite installment naturally features some of the series most foundationally badass moments. Well refund your credit card or we can credit your fandango account to use for another movie. Shintaro katsu appears on screen as zatoichi for the last time. The sword has a new blade by the next film, which he wields until the fifteenth film zatoichi s cane sword. As always, shintaro katsu brings out the heart in the character, and even though the. He tells zatoichi that the sword has reached the end of its life span. Zatoichis back and this time hes bringing along some of the most memorable moments from the series so far. As a result, were presented with a clean source print that has only minor defects, as well as a sharp, clean overall image to experience. He made 24 installments between 1962 and 1973, and made the last one 16 years later in 1989. Zatoichi, while fighting off the usual group of gangsters, meets the apprentice of the swordsman who created his blade, who relays bad news about the.
Green beret s ultralight bug out bag with gear recommendations duration. Miyagawa was still working, having recently completed macarthurs. Zatoichi 15zatoichis cane sword 1967a thoroughly unique entry in that zatoichi. Nov 25, 20 in each film, there must be at least one jawdropping exhibition of the heros skills. The one armed swordsman was a character that wang yu would play in one form or another for much of his career. If you like zatoichis canesword you are looking for exciting, rough and serious movies about with samurai, martial arts, village, adventure, gangsters, crimes and friendship themes of action, adventure and drama genre shot in japan. Zatichi learns the origin of his famous cane sword, and discovers it may soon fail in battle. Shintaro katsu and the return of zatoichi the american society of.
It really takes a while for things to get going, and the plot isnt really the most interesting one too. Zatoichi and the onearmed swordsman, shin zatoichi. On a related note, artsmagic released a film called zatoichi s pilgrimage on vhs and dvd in the u. Criterion collection hulu channel adds knife in the water. Ichi meets a master swordsmith named senzo played superbly by the great character actor eijiro tono who examines ichi s cane sword and identifies it as the work of his late mentor. As this iconic figure, the charismatic and earthy shintaro katsu became an instant superstar, lending a largerthanlife presence to the thrilling adventures of a man who. In each film, there must be at least one jawdropping exhibition of the heros skills.
Here we have an original 1995 chambara entertainment vhs release of the 1967 tale of the blind masseur and master swordsman in zatoichis cane sword, with shintaro katsu as zatoichi. Zatoichis cane sword 1967 directed by kimiyoshi yasuda. On the road with zatoichi the current the criterion. It tells the origin story of zatoichis straight blade katana. At the end of the film, zatoichi orders that his canesword be buried, with the samurai. Using one of his favorite techniques, zatoichi proceeds to win 8 ryo in a rigged gambling game. My film probably doesnt even have much to do with the old zatoichi series, reveals kitano, ive hardly seen any of his films. At the movies with zatoichi, the blind swordsman cool ass cinema. Zatoichis cane sword dvd, 2004 for sale online ebay. Troubled by his violent past, zatoichi begins a journey to a series of shrines for a dose of cleansing spirituality. He has an eyeopening encounter with the towns blacksmith, who reveals himself to be the apprentice of the man who forged zatoichis legendary cane sword, and informs zatoichi that its a hairline.
It turns out a blacksmith named senzo examines zatoichis cane sword, and discovers it to be forged by his old mentor. However, the town has been taken over by boss iwagoro s gang, who have bribed the local inspector and killed off the towns former, kinder boss. Zatoichis cane sword, zatoichi tekkatabi aka zatoichis gambling travels is a 1967 film based on kan shimozawas novels, directed by kimiyoshi yasuda and starring shintaro katsu as zatoichi the blind swordsman. The blind swordsman movie videos for the full length movie and video clips on mefeedia. Zatoichi s cane sword times favorite theater button. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing zatoichis cane sword near you. My great hope for this completed column is that our cinapse teams journey of discovery will be. Artsmagic would do well to fix their mistake, and correctly label the film. Blind swordsman s cane sword is the fifteenth film in the series. The blind swordsman box set gets our highest recommendation and damn well deserves it. The 10th film in the series was, in my opinion, easily the worst. Wearying of his wandering lifestyle, zatoichi yearns to settle down.
It was less socially acceptable to openly carry a sword in public, so the stick sword emerged. Best movies like zatoichi meets the onearmed swordsman. Zatoichis cane sword by kimiyoshi yasuda kimiyoshi. A final, sort of anniversary, revisionist zatoichi film was made in 1989. Zatoichis cane sword is perhaps the seminal ichi film arguably the very best in the series. The final 1989 film, zatoichi the blind swordsman is missing, possibly due to rights issues, as is the television series. Zatoichi handmade nodachi cane sword blind samurai. Zatoichis cane sword has one of the most memorable storylines in the series, and ichis best attempt to lay down his sword and lead an honest life.
Zatoichi comes upon the town of tonda, overrun by gangsters. Mar 24, 2015 zatoichis cane sword, kimoyoshi yasuda, 1967. Aug 16, 2017 the adventures of zatoichi the blind swordsman. He takes on the role of zatoichi, a blind masseur with a penchant for gambling and a skill with his cane sword that is truly unrivaled. If you like zatoichi meets the onearmed swordsman you are looking for serious and cult film movies about with martial arts, samurai, yakuza, katana, adventure, gangsters and crimes themes of action, adventure and drama genre shot in japan or hong kong. Blind swordsmans canesword is the fifteenth film in the series.
Zatoichi has the rhythm and energy of an action movie and kitano does not. Zatoichis cane sword is a 1967 japanese chambara film directed by kimiyoshi yasuda and starring shintaro katsu as the blind masseur zatoichi. He recognizes zatoichis can sword as having been made by his mentor who was a master swords smith. Hes a lowranking blind masseur who lives by the yakuza code and answers his foes with a deadly cane sword. Mar 19, 2004 set in the 19th century, the film has kitano himself as the blind masseur and itinerant wiseguywarrior zatoichi, a legendary character familiar in japan from tv specials and movies starring. Kimiyoshi yasuda 1967 wearying of his wandering lifestyle, zatoichi yearns to settle down. The blade which breaks during the film and the blade that replaces it were specially forged at great expense and with far more than the usual care by master bladesmiths and were both of exceptional quality, superior to the swords of. Zatoichis cane sword, zatoichi tekkatabi is a 1967 japanese chambara film directed by kimiyoshi yasuda and starring shintaro katsu as the blind masseur zatoichi. The tale of zatoichi released in 1962 would begin a 20 plus film franchise starring shintaro katus as the blind masseuse, gambler, and master swordsman. We get something of a backstory to his sword, instilling it with as much of a mythical presence as zatoichi himself. Senzo further discovers a tiny crack in the blade and warns ichi. The man in a blacksmith and used to be a sword smith. With takeshi kitano, tadanobu asano, yui natsukawa, michiyo yasuda.
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