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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = The Tale of Zatoichi
| name = The Tale of Zatoichi
| image = Zatôichi monogatari.jpg
| image = Zatôichi monogatari.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Kenji Misumi]]
| director = [[Kenji Misumi]]
| producer =
| producer = Ikuo Kubodera
⚫
| screenplay = [[Minoru Inuzuka]]
| writer =
⚫
| based on = {{based on|''The Tale of Zatoichi''|[[Kan Shimozawa]]}}
⚫
| screenplay = [[Minoru Inuzuka]]
⚫
| starring = {{Plain list |
| story =
⚫
| based_on = {{based on|''The Tale of Zatoichi''|[[Kan Shimozawa]]}}
⚫
| starring = {{Plain list |
*[[Shintaro Katsu]]
*[[Shintaro Katsu]]
*Masayo Banri
*Masayo Banri
*Ryuzo Shimada
*Ryuzo Shimada
*Hajime Mitamura
*Gen Mitamura
*[[Shigeru Amachi]]
*[[Shigeru Amachi]]
<!--- per DVD slip (link: http://www.dvdca.com/download/37244-1/1974THe_Tale_of_Zatoichi.jpg) --->
}}
}}
| music = [[Akira Ifukube]]
| music = [[Akira Ifukube]]
| cinematography = Chishi Makiura
| cinematography = Chikashi Makiura
| editing = Kanji Suganuma
| editing = Kanji Suganuma
| background_artist = [[Akira Naito]]
| studio = [[Daiei Film|Daiei Motion Picture Company]]
| distributor = [[Daiei Film|Dalei Studios]]
| studio = [[Daiei Film|Daiei Motion Picture Company]]
| distributor = [[Daiei Film|Dalei Studios]]
| released = {{film date|df=yes|1962|4|12}}
| released = {{film date|df=yes|1962|4|12}}
| runtime = 95 minutes
| runtime = 95 minutes
| country = Japan
| country = Japan
| language = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| language = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| budget =
| budget =
| gross =
}}
}}


{{Nihongo|'''''The Tale of Zatoichi'''''|座頭市物語|Zatōichi Monogatari|lead=yes}} is a 1962 Japanese ''[[chanbara]]'' film directed by [[Kenji Misumi]] and based on the 1948 essay of the same name by [[Kan Shimozawa]]. It is the first installment in a long-running ''[[jidaigeki]]'' film series starring [[Shintaro Katsu]] as the blind swordsman [[Zatoichi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfaj.go.jp/exhibition/misumi-2016-1/#ex-6272|publisher=National Film Archive of Japan|title=映画監督 三隅研次 | access-date=November 22, 2020|language=Japanese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sp.kinenote.com/main/public/cinema/detail.aspx?cinema_id=20713&key_search=%E5%BA%A7%E9%A0%AD%E5%B8%82%E7%89%A9%E8%AA%9E|title=座頭市物語|publisher=[[Kinema Junpo]] |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref>
'''''The Tale of Zatoichi''''' ({{lang-ja|座頭市物語}} ''Zatōichi monogatari''), directed by Kenji Misumi, is the first film of a classic Japanese samurai drama saga starring [[Shintaro Katsu]] as [[Zatoichi]], a character created by [[Kan Shimozawa]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
The blind [[massage|masseur]] Zatoichi is hired by [[yakuza]] gang-leader Sukegoro (Eijiro Yanagi) as he thinks that war is inevitable with the rival yakuza Shigezo (Ryuzo Shimada). Zatoichi has a distinguished reputation as a swordsman and Sukegoro 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 blind [[massage|masseur]] Zatoichi is hired as muscle for the ''[[yakuza]]'' Sukegoro (Eijiro Yanagi) as he thinks that war is inevitable with his rival Shigezo (Ryuzo Shimada). Zatoichi has a distinguished reputation as a swordsman and Sukegoro thinks that purchasing his services is money well spent. Shigezo responds by hiring a ''[[ronin]]'' of similar repute, Miki Hirate (Shigeru Amachi).


Ichi presents himself as a meek, humble man and is commonly underestimated 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. One notable scene has Ichi playing dice in a gambling den where the dealer attempts to con him with loaded pieces. Ichi demonstrates the extent to which he has mastered his other senses by noticing that the dice have a different sound and calling out the gamblers for tricking him.
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]] and considers death at the hands of a master swordsman preferable. As Hirate becomes increasingly sick, Sukegoro decides to attack Shigezo. He also tells Ichi that he is no longer needed. However, as the war begins, Shigezo informs Hirate of his fallback plan since Hirate is ill, that he intends to shoot Ichi with his rifle. Hirate drags himself from his bed to fight Zatoichi on the condition that the rifle is left behind. Ichi learns from a boy at the temple where Hirate was staying that Hirate will be fighting after all, and also learns the reason. Zatoichi travels to the battle to duel with the dying samurai. After the tense final fight, in which Zatoichi prevails, 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.

The only person who respects him is Hirate, who as a ''ronin'' understands what it feels like to be an outcast. Though Hirate and Ichi know they must fight when the war begins, they develop a sense of friendship. Hirate is eager to fight Zatoichi, as he is terminally ill with [[tuberculosis]] and wishes to die fighting. As Hirate becomes increasingly sick, Sukegoro takes advantage by ordering an all-out attack on Shigezo and removing Ichi from his payroll.

Hirate learns that Shigezo intends to kill Ichi anyway by sniping him with a ''[[Tanegashima (gun)|tanegashima]]''. The dying warrior drags himself from his bed and pledges to kill Ichi in an honorable manner. Ichi learns from a boy at the temple where Hirate was staying of his intentions, and also learns the reason. After the tense final fight, in which Zatoichi prevails and cuts Hirate down, he rejects the advances of the ''yakuza'' mistress Otane (Masayo Banri), who has become disillusioned with her lifestyle, to continue as a solitary wanderer.


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Shintaro Katsu]] as Zatoichi
* [[Shintaro Katsu]] as [[Zatoichi]]
* Masayo Banri as Otane
* [[:ja:万里昌代|Masayo Banri]] as Otane
* Ryūzō Shimada as Shigezō of the Sasagawa Yakuza
* [[Ryūzō Shimada]] as Shigezo of the Sasagawa Yakuza
* Hajime Mitamura as Hanji of Matsugishi
* [[Gen Mitamura]] as Hanji of Matsugishi
* [[Shigeru Amachi]] as Miki Hirate
* [[Shigeru Amachi]] as Miki Hirate
* [[Chitose Maki]] as Hanji's wife Yoshi
* Chitose Maki as Hanji's wife Yoshi
* Ikuko Mōri as Shigezō's wife Oyutaka
* [[Ikuko Mōri]] as Shigezo's wife Oyutaka
* Michio Minami as Tatekichi of the Iioka Yakuza
* [[Michio Minami]] as Tatekichi of the Iioka Yakuza
* Eijirō Yanagi as Sukegorō of Iioka
* [[Eijirō Yanagi]] as Sukegoro of Iioka
* Toshio Chiba as Masakichi of Iioka
* [[Toshio Chiba]] as Masakichi of Iioka
* Manabu Morita as Seisuke of Iioka
* [[Manabu Morita]] as Seisuke of Iioka
* Yoichi Funaki as Yogorō of Sasagawa
* [[Yoichi Funaki]] as Yogoro of Sasagawa
* Kin'ya Ichikawa as Mokichi of Sasagawa
* [[Kin'ya Ichikawa]] as Mokichi of Sasagawa
* Eigorō Onoe as Rihei of Sasagawa
* [[Eigorō Onoe]] as Rihei of Sasagawa
* Yoshito Yamaji as Tatekichi's father Yahei
* [[Yoshito Yamaji]] as Tatekichi's father Yahei
* Yukio Horikita as Kanaji of Sasagawa
* [[Yukio Horikita]] as Kanaji of Sasagawa
* Ryūji Fukui as Daihachi of Iioka
* [[Ryūji Fukui]] as Daihachi of Iioka


==Release==
==Release==
''The Tale of Zatoichi'' was released in Japan on April 12, 1962.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=262}}{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=263}} It was re-issued theatrically in 1976.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=263}} The film was followed-up with ''[[The Tale of Zatoichi Continues]]'' in 1962.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=263}}
''The Tale of Zatoichi'' was released in Japan on April 12, 1962.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=262}}{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=263}} It was re-issued theatrically in 1976.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=263}} The film was followed by ''[[The Tale of Zatoichi Continues]]'' later in 1962.{{sfn|Galbraith IV|1996|p=263}}


==Reception==
==Reception==
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===Sources===
===Sources===
{{Refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Galbraith IV |first=Stuart |title=The Japanese Filmography: 1900 through 1994 |publisher=McFarland |date=1996 |isbn=0-7864-0032-3 |ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Galbraith IV |first=Stuart |title=The Japanese Filmography: 1900 through 1994 |publisher=McFarland |date=1996 |isbn=0-7864-0032-3 }}
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb title|0056714|The Tale of Zatoichi}}
* {{IMDb title|0056714|The Tale of Zatoichi}}


{{Zatoichi}}
{{Zatoichi}}
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[[Category:1962 films]]
[[Category:1962 films]]
[[Category:1960s adventure films]]
[[Category:1960s adventure films]]
⚫
[[Category:Japanese films]]
[[Category:Japanese adventure films]]
[[Category:Japanese adventure films]]
[[Category:Japanese-language films]]
[[Category:1960s Japanese-language films]]
[[Category:Japanese black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Japanese black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Zatoichi films]]
[[Category:Zatoichi films]]
[[Category:Jidaigeki films]]
[[Category:Jidaigeki films]]
[[Category:Samurai films]]
[[Category:1960s samurai films]]
[[Category:Yakuza films]]
[[Category:Yakuza films]]
[[Category:Daiei Film films]]
[[Category:Daiei Film films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Kenji Misumi]]
[[Category:Films directed by Kenji Misumi]]
[[Category:Films scored by Akira Ifukube]]
[[Category:Films scored by Akira Ifukube]]
[[Category:Films about blind people]]
⚫
[[Category:1960s Japanese films]]

Latest revision as of 12:07, 17 September 2024

The Tale of Zatoichi
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKenji Misumi
Screenplay byMinoru Inuzuka
Based onThe Tale of Zatoichi
by Kan Shimozawa
Produced byIkuo Kubodera
Starring
CinematographyChikashi Makiura
Edited byKanji Suganuma
Music byAkira Ifukube
Backgrounds byAkira Naito
Production
company
Distributed byDalei Studios
Release date
  • 12 April 1962 (1962-04-12)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

The Tale of Zatoichi (Japanese: 座頭市物語, Hepburn: Zatōichi Monogatari) is a 1962 Japanese chanbara film directed by Kenji Misumi and based on the 1948 essay of the same name by Kan Shimozawa. It is the first installment in a long-running jidaigeki film series starring Shintaro Katsu as the blind swordsman Zatoichi.[1][2]

Plot

[edit]

The blind masseur Zatoichi is hired as muscle for the yakuza Sukegoro (Eijiro Yanagi) as he thinks that war is inevitable with his rival Shigezo (Ryuzo Shimada). Zatoichi has a distinguished reputation as a swordsman and Sukegoro thinks that purchasing his services is money well spent. Shigezo responds by hiring a ronin of similar repute, Miki Hirate (Shigeru Amachi).

Ichi presents himself as a meek, humble man and is commonly underestimated 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. One notable scene has Ichi playing dice in a gambling den where the dealer attempts to con him with loaded pieces. Ichi demonstrates the extent to which he has mastered his other senses by noticing that the dice have a different sound and calling out the gamblers for tricking him.

The only person who respects him is Hirate, who as a ronin understands what it feels like to be an outcast. Though Hirate and Ichi know they must fight when the war begins, they develop a sense of friendship. Hirate is eager to fight Zatoichi, as he is terminally ill with tuberculosis and wishes to die fighting. As Hirate becomes increasingly sick, Sukegoro takes advantage by ordering an all-out attack on Shigezo and removing Ichi from his payroll.

Hirate learns that Shigezo intends to kill Ichi anyway by sniping him with a tanegashima. The dying warrior drags himself from his bed and pledges to kill Ichi in an honorable manner. Ichi learns from a boy at the temple where Hirate was staying of his intentions, and also learns the reason. After the tense final fight, in which Zatoichi prevails and cuts Hirate down, he rejects the advances of the yakuza mistress Otane (Masayo Banri), who has become disillusioned with her lifestyle, to continue as a solitary wanderer.

Cast

[edit]

Release

[edit]

The Tale of Zatoichi was released in Japan on April 12, 1962.[3][4] It was re-issued theatrically in 1976.[4] The film was followed by The Tale of Zatoichi Continues later in 1962.[4]

Reception

[edit]

The film received positive reviews earning 100% from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes according to 7 reviews. The film summoned the most sequels of a samurai film and has also spawned a remake in 2003.[5]

References

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ "映画監督 三隅研次" (in Japanese). National Film Archive of Japan. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  2. ^ "座頭市物語". Kinema Junpo. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  3. ^ Galbraith IV 1996, p. 262.
  4. ^ a b c Galbraith IV 1996, p. 263.
  5. ^ The Tale of Zatoichi at Rotten Tomatoes

Sources

[edit]
  • Galbraith IV, Stuart (1996). The Japanese Filmography: 1900 through 1994. McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-0032-3.
[edit]
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