The Tale of Zatoichi (1962): Cast & Plot
The Tale of Zatoichi is a 1962 adventure drama directed by Kenji Misumi, starring Shintarō Katsu as Zatôichi, Eijirō Yanagi and Ryūzō Shimada. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Kenji Misumi
- Original language
-
Japanese - Studio
- Daiei Film
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Tale of Zatoichi About?
The premise of The Tale of Zatoichi without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman roams the countryside, using his heightened senses to dispense justice. When he learns a Yakuza‑run village is on the brink of conflict with a rival gang from a neighboring town, Zatoichi decides to intervene, setting the stage for a tense showdown.
The Tale of Zatoichi Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- action hero
- blind man
- showdown
- zatoichi
- sword fight
- katana sword
- character name in title
- opening action scene
- blind hero
- blindness
- hand to hand combat
- one man army
+38 more Show fewer
- one against many
- final showdown
- battle
- gang fight
- ambush
- brother sister relationship
- gambling
- massage
- blind swordsman
- japan
- blind masseur
- masseur
- swordsman
- master swordsman
- dice game
- first of series
- gambling den
- period drama
- chanbara
- martial arts action
- martial arts fight
- sword and sandal action
- body massage
- jidai geki
- feudal japan
- yakuza tradition
- loaded dice
- social outcast
- dying of tuberculosis
- matchlock gun
- mistress
- acupuncture
- dead woman
- suicide
- illegitimate pregnancy
- fishing
- male friendship
- beaten to death
The Tale of Zatoichi Cast & Characters
Shintarō Katsu leads the cast as Zatôichi, with Eijirō Yanagi as Sukegorô and Ryūzō Shimada as Shigezô. Directed by Kenji Misumi; 24 actors are credited in all.
- Director Kenji Misumi
- Shintarō Katsu as Zatôichi
- Eijirō Yanagi as Sukegorô
- Ryūzō Shimada as Shigezô
- Shigeru Amachi as Miki Hirate
Also Starring in The Tale of Zatoichi
· 20 more- Masayo Banri Otane
- Gen Kimura Sasagawa gambler spy
- Yukio Horikita Kanaji
- Jun Fujikawa Iioka yakuza member
- Kanae Kobayashi Kane the innkeeper
- Manabu Morita Seisuke
- Yūji Hamada Iioka yakuza member
- Hajime Koshikawa A farmer
- Ikuko Mōri Oyutaka
- Eigorō Onoe Rihei
- Toshio Chiba Masakichi
- Yoichi Funaki Yogoro
- Yoshito Yamaji Yahei
- Michirō Minami Tatekichi
- Kin'ya Ichikawa Mokichi
- Hajime Mitamura Hanji
Show all 24 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Chitose Maki Yoshi
- Hiroyoshi Nishioka Iioka yakuza member
- Ryuji Fukui Daihachi
- Bonta Maru
More from Kenji Misumi
More films directed by Kenji Misumi: Shogun Assassin, The Last Samurai, Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons and Internal Sleuth.
The Tale of Zatoichi Plot Summary
What happens in The Tale of Zatoichi from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The blind masseur Zatôichi, Shintarō Katsu, is hired as muscle by the yakuza Sukegorô, Eijirō Yanagi, who believes war with his rival Shigezô Ryūzō Shimada is inevitable. Zatoichi has a distinguished reputation as a swordsman, and Sukegorô thinks purchasing his services is money well spent. Shigezô responds by hiring a ronin of similar repute, Miki Hirate Shigeru Amachi.
Full summary
The whole story of The Tale of Zatoichi, scene by scene
The Tale of Zatoichi Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Black Belt Cinema: THE TALE OF ZATOICHI (1962) Trailer
How Well Do You Know The Tale of Zatoichi?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What occupation does Zatoichi hold besides being a swordsman?
Seen The Tale of Zatoichi?
Movies Like The Tale of Zatoichi
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Zatoichi, The Tale of Zatoichi Continues and Adventures of Zatoichi.
-
Zatoichi 2003 -
The Tale of Zatoichi Continues 1962 -
Adventures of Zatoichi 1964 -
New Tale of Zatoichi 1963 -
Zatoichi on the Road 1963 -
Zatoichi the Outlaw 1967 -
Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman 1971 -
Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally 1989 -
Zatoichi Challenged 1967 -
Zatoichi and the Doomed Man 1965 -
Zatoichi’s Flashing Sword 1964 -
Zatoichi’s Cane Sword 1967
The Tale of Zatoichi FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of The Tale of Zatoichi, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Tale of Zatoichi?
The Tale of Zatoichi runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was The Tale of Zatoichi released?
The Tale of Zatoichi was released on April 18, 1962.
Who directed The Tale of Zatoichi?
The Tale of Zatoichi was directed by Kenji Misumi.
More films by Kenji Misumi Who is in the cast of The Tale of Zatoichi?
The Tale of Zatoichi stars Shintarō Katsu as Zatôichi, Eijirō Yanagi as Sukegorô and Ryūzō Shimada as Shigezô, among 24 credited actors.
Does The Tale of Zatoichi have a post-credit scene?
No. The Tale of Zatoichi has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Tale of Zatoichi in?
The original language of The Tale of Zatoichi is Japanese.
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