Adventures of Zatoichi (1964)

"I only came here to worship the first light of the New Year...You brought this on yourselves."

Adventures of Zatoichi was another in the long list of Zatoichi films and dramas though this was only my third. This time the blind swordsman was just wanting to enjoy celebrating the New Year when he tumbled headlong into not one, but two women needing his help.

Zatoichi is headed to a small town in order to join the festivities and worship the first light of the New Year on the mountain. A desperate man asks him to take a note to a young woman named Osen who works at the inn. Zatoichi makes the delivery and asks if there is a room available. The town is overflowing with traveling vendors and entertainers leaving no rooms. Out of gratitude Osen appeals to two female guests to allow him to stay in their room. One of the women, Saki, is in town searching for her father who disappeared a month ago. Zatoichi discovers a town ruthlessly run by Boss Jinbei and Magistrate Gorota. They kill or imprison whoever crosses them and extort money from local and travelling salespeople alike. Zatoichi’s desire for a quiet holiday is about to explode into a river of blood.

Once again Katsu Shintaro played the unassuming masseur and swordsman. Zatoichi initially tried to help Osen and Saki with advice, but it wasn’t long before he had to draw his lightning-fast sword. The women stupidly went against his advice though they weren’t the only characters to make mistakes. Zatoichi showed a lapse of judgment as well at one point. Two little boys who were performers, Sankichi and Tatsukichi, helped the swordsman out on several occasions. Aside from the two big bads who were dead men walking, a swordsman that worked for them was intent on a duel with Z. Dude, this guy was in 26 Zatoichi films, you never go up against the star.

The fight choreography was pretty standard for 1964-slice and fall. The body count was high, I stopped counting before the big battles at the end and Z was already up to 20. If you are squeamish there was no squirting blood or lopped off limbs.

I found Adventures of Zatoichi entertaining with deadly elements and humorous ones woven throughout. Much like New Year’s morning on the mountain, Zatoichi walked into darkness with the light at his back. Generously scored for a pre-1990s martial arts film.

11 September 2026

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