Zatoichi The Fugitive
Encyclopedia
Zatoichi: The Fugitive is a 1963 Japanese Chambara film directed by Tokuzo Tanaka starring Shintaro Katsu
as the blind masseur Zatoichi, originally released by the Daiei Motion Picture Company (now known as Kadokawa Pictures
). Zatoichi: The Fugitive is the fourth episode in the 26 part film series devoted to the character of Zatoichi
.
) enters a local wrestling match and through his skill, is able to defeat and embarrass his sighted opponents. These same opponents, however, are part of a local Yakuza
gang, and seek to reclaim their honor by claiming Ichi's life. Meanwhile, Ichi stays at an inn in the town and comes across a woman he carried passionate feelings for, and possibly still does by the name of Otane (whom Ichi affectionately calls Tane). Tane, unforunately for Ichi, now married to a quick tempered ronin named Tanakura. Tanakura displaying his prowess, but also as an act of showing Tane belonging to him, cuts Ichi's tea cup in half. In response, Ichi cuts a sake bottle in half while it is still being held, but Tanakura establishes himself as Ichi's "rival" in this film because of his act.
The local Yakuza gang, that Ichi defeated in the initial wrestling scene, hires Tanakura to kill Ichi. Tanakura, after becoming aware of his wife's harbored romantic feelings for Ichi, uses Tane as a means of ambushing Ichi in an abandoned house, where the Yakuza and Tanakura lie in wait. Tane is unfortunately killed in the ambush, and the act infuriates Ichi. What soon follows is one of the most critically revered duels in the Zatoichi series.
Shintaro Katsu
, born Toshio Okumura was a Japanese actor, singer, producer, and director...
as the blind masseur Zatoichi, originally released by the Daiei Motion Picture Company (now known as Kadokawa Pictures
Kadokawa Pictures
is a Japanese movie studio.-History:One of the most famous studios in Japan and founded in 1942 as , it is best known for having produced the giant monster Gamera film series and the Daimajin Trilogy. It also produced the Zatoichi and Nemuri Kyoshiro film series and the television series Shōnen Jet...
). Zatoichi: The Fugitive is the fourth episode in the 26 part film series devoted to the character of Zatoichi
Zatoichi
is a fictional character featured in one of Japan's longest running series of films and a television series set in the Edo period. The character, a blind masseur and swordmaster, was created by novelist . This originally minor character was developed for the screen by Daiei Studios and actor...
.
Plot
Ichi (which is the main character's name, Zato being the lowest rank in the TodozaTodoza
The was a Japanese guild for blind men, established in the 14th century by the biwa hōshi . Members performed a variety of roles, as itinerant musicians, masseurs, and acupuncturists. It received the patronage of the Muromachi and Edo shogunates, and remained active until the Meiji restoration,...
) enters a local wrestling match and through his skill, is able to defeat and embarrass his sighted opponents. These same opponents, however, are part of a local Yakuza
Yakuza
, also known as , are members of traditional organized crime syndicates in Japan. The Japanese police, and media by request of the police, call them bōryokudan , literally "violence group", while the yakuza call themselves "ninkyō dantai" , "chivalrous organizations". The yakuza are notoriously...
gang, and seek to reclaim their honor by claiming Ichi's life. Meanwhile, Ichi stays at an inn in the town and comes across a woman he carried passionate feelings for, and possibly still does by the name of Otane (whom Ichi affectionately calls Tane). Tane, unforunately for Ichi, now married to a quick tempered ronin named Tanakura. Tanakura displaying his prowess, but also as an act of showing Tane belonging to him, cuts Ichi's tea cup in half. In response, Ichi cuts a sake bottle in half while it is still being held, but Tanakura establishes himself as Ichi's "rival" in this film because of his act.
The local Yakuza gang, that Ichi defeated in the initial wrestling scene, hires Tanakura to kill Ichi. Tanakura, after becoming aware of his wife's harbored romantic feelings for Ichi, uses Tane as a means of ambushing Ichi in an abandoned house, where the Yakuza and Tanakura lie in wait. Tane is unfortunately killed in the ambush, and the act infuriates Ichi. What soon follows is one of the most critically revered duels in the Zatoichi series.
Cast
- Shintaro KatsuShintaro Katsu, born Toshio Okumura was a Japanese actor, singer, producer, and director...
as Ichi, the Blind Swordsman - Miwa TakadaMiwa Takadais a Japanese film, TV and stage actress. She has starred in several Japanese movies that are today considered classics ....
as O'nobu - Masayo Banri as O'tane
- Toru Abe as Boss Yagiri Tokyuro
- Koichi Mizuhara as Boss Unosuke
- Yutaro Hojo as Master Tanakura
- Sachiko Murase as Maki
Production
- Director Tokuzo Tanaka
- Screenplay Seiji Hoshikawa
- Original Story Kan Shimosawa
- Music Akira IfukubeAkira Ifukubewas a Japanese composer of classical music and film scores, perhaps best known for his work on the soundtracks of the Godzilla movies by Toho.-Biography:...
Film Festivals/Popular Culture
- Several Zatoichi films will be featured in the upcoming Japan Society of New York's film festival celebrating the Chambara genre during the winter 2009-2010 season.
- The Zatoichi series gained national attention when featured during the Independent Film ChannelIndependent Film ChannelThe Independent Film Channel is an American cable TV network that airs independent film and related programming. IFC programming includes commercially interrupted feature-length films, original documentaries, shorts, animated series, original series, acquired series, and content exclusively for...
's Samurai Saturdays through 2005-2006.
External links
- 座頭市兇状旅 at the Japanese Movie Database.