ZATOICHI #12
Directed by Kenji Misumi • 1965 • Japan
Kenji Misumi, who directed the first installment of the ZATOICHI series, returns with this tale in which the blind swordsman once again finds himself the protector of a child: a little girl pursued by both devious family members and bloodthirsty ruffians. Further complicating his journey is a new acquaintance, a tremendously skilled chess player (the charismatic Mikio Narita) who has mysterious motivations and a dark past.
Up Next in Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
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Zatoichi’s Vengeance
ZATOICHI #13
Directed by Tokuzo Tanaka • 1966 • JapanZatoichi encounters a dying man, who asks the itinerant masseur to deliver a bag of money to his young son; he agrees to fulfill the request, finding the boy in a village terrorized by criminals. This is the first entry to scrutinize the swor...
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Zatoichi’s Pilgrimage
ZATOICHI #14
Directed by Kazuo Ikehiro • 1966 • JapanTroubled by his violent past, Zatoichi begins a journey to a series of shrines for a dose of cleansing spirituality. But as always, trouble isn’t far behind, and the blind swordsman soon finds himself defending a widow from the self-interest ...
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Zatoichi’s Cane Sword
ZATOICHI #15
Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda • 1967 • JapanWearying of his wandering lifestyle, Zatoichi yearns to settle down; unfortunately, when he does so it’s in a town overrun by yakuza. He has an eye-opening encounter with the town’s blacksmith, who reveals himself to be the apprentice of t...
