Zatoichi

Zatoichi (座頭市) is a fictional character featured in one of Japan's longest-running series of films, as well as a television series. Both are set during the late Edo period (1830s and 1840s). The character, a blind masseur and blademaster, was created by novelist Kan Shimozawa.

The original series of 26 films featured Shintaro Katsu as Zatoichi. The first film was made in 1962 in black and white. The third film, in 1963, was the first to be filmed in color. The 25th film was made in 1973, followed by a hiatus of 16 years until Katsu's last film, which he wrote and directed himself in 1989.

From 1974 to 1979, the television series Zatoichi was produced, starring Katsu and some of the same actors that appeared in the films. 

To date, four remakes/spin-offs have been made, including the 1989 US film Blind Fury, and the character has appeared in many other works.

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