Masayo Banri

  • Tokuzô Tanaka – Zatoichi Kyojo Tabi AKA Zatoichi the Fugitive (1963)

    1961-1970ActionJapanMartial ArtsTokuzô Tanaka

    Synopsis:
    Blind swordsman/masseur Ichi (known as Zatoichi, or “Masseur Ichi”) angers a local yakuza gang when he defeats several of them in a wrestling match. When he finds that his long lost love Tane is nearby and romantically involved with a tough samurai in the employ of the gang, he remains in the village. Meanwhile, the young heir to the leadership is forced to confront his own fear and weakness when the gang insists he fight Ichi.Read More »

  • Tokuzô Tanaka – Shin Zatôichi Monogatari AKA New Tale of Zatoichi (1963)

    1961-1970ActionJapanMartial ArtsTokuzô Tanaka

    Synopsis:
    Blind masseur and master swordsman, Zatoichi, is tired of killing. He journeys to his old village looking for peace, but is pursued by the brother of Boss Kanbei, a man he’s killed. Back home, Ichi connects with Banno, his teacher, who seeks prestige and has arranged for his younger sister, Yayoi, to marry into a wealthy samurai family. Ichi and Yayoi realize they are in love, but Ichi’s request for her hand meets with Banno’s derision. Ichi is also drawn into Banno’s plot to kidnap the son of a wealthy man, ostensibly to aid the Mito Goblins, a gang of thieves on the run; but Banno wants to keep the ransom. Ichi wants harmony and love, but can he escape a destiny of violence?Read More »

  • Kazuo Mori – Zoku Zatôichi monogatari AKA The Tale of Zatoichi Continues (1962)

    1961-1970ActionJapanKazuo MoriMartial Arts

    Synopsis:
    Blind swordsman/masseur Zatoichi is pursued by the retainers of a lord who fear that he will reveal a secret weakness of their master. Returning to the village where a year before he had killed Hirate, a much-admired opponent, Zatoichi encounters another swordsman and former rival in love: his own brother. He must face in combat not only the pursuing retainers but his own flesh-and-blood.Read More »

  • Kenji Misumi – Zatôichi monogatari Aka The Tale Of Zatoichi (1962)

    1961-1970ActionJapanKenji MisumiMartial Arts

    Synopsis:
    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.Read More »

Back to top button