Zatoichi and the Chess Expert (1965): Cast & Plot
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert is a 1965 action drama directed by Kenji Misumi, starring Shintarō Katsu as Zatoichi, Rokkō Toura and Fujio Suga. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 27m (87 min)
- Director
- Kenji Misumi
- Original language
-
Japanese - Studio
- Daiei Film
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Zatoichi and the Chess Expert About?
The premise of Zatoichi and the Chess Expert without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Zatoichi befriends a perilous chess prodigy while contending with a furious yakuza syndicate and vengeful family members who hunt him. At the same time, he races to secure treatment for a gravely ill child, and his once‑unlucky streak at dice begins to shift in his favor.
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert Themes & Keywords
· 17 tags- friend
- revenge
- sick child
- katana
- organized crime
- zatoichi
- chess
- yakuza
- samurai
- cult film
- twelfth part
- sequel
+5 more Show fewer
- sword
- fight
- sword fight
- katana sword
- character name in title
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert Cast & Characters
Shintarō Katsu leads the cast as Zatoichi, with Rokkō Toura as Crippled yakuza and Fujio Suga as Injury prone Banyu yakuza. Directed by Kenji Misumi; 17 actors are credited in all.
- Director Kenji Misumi
- Shintarō Katsu as Zatoichi
- Rokkō Toura as Crippled yakuza
- Fujio Suga as Injury prone Banyu yakuza
- Mikio Narita as Tadasu Jumonji
Also Starring in Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
· 13 more- Naomi Fujiyama Miki
- Kaneko Iwasaki Otane
- Chizu Hayashi Kume
- Taro Marui Roppei
- Tatsuo Endō Yakuza boss of Ejimaya
- Saburo Date
- Ryo Horikawa
- Kanae Kobayashi Widow Tarozaemon
- Keiko Koyanagi
- Ryūtarō Gomi
- Takuya Fujioka
- Gaku Yamamoto Tomonoshin Sagawa
- Ichirō Yamamoto
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.
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert Plot Summary
What happens in Zatoichi and the Chess Expert from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On a boat trip to Honshu island, Zatoichi makes the acquaintance of Jumonji, an expert shogi player and swordsman. Once on Honshu, a group of men who had tried to cheat Zatoichi at dice attempt revenge, only for Ichi to turn the tables in the tussle. However, Miki, Miki, the niece of Otane, is injured in the confusion, compelling Ichi to go to great lengths to procure the medicine needed to cure her injury. When she recovers, the child sincerely thanks him, leaving him overwrought with emotion.
Full summary
The whole story of Zatoichi and the Chess Expert, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Zatoichi and the Chess Expert?
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 game does Jumonji specialize in, besides swordsmanship?
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “Zatoichi 12: Zatoichi and the Chess Expert” and “Zatôichi 12 Zatôichi and the Chess Expert”.
- Also known as
-
- Zatoichi 12: Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
- Zatôichi 12 Zatôichi and the Chess Expert
- Zatoichi jigoku tabi
- La Légende de Zatoïchi : Voyage en enfer
- Zatōichi jigoku-tabi
- Затоичи и шахматный мастер
- La Légende de Zatoïchi
- Vol. 12 : Voyage en enfer
- Zatoichi e il giocatore di scacchi
- 자토이치: 지옥려
- Zatoichi ve Satranç Ustası
- 座头市地狱旅
+2 more Show fewer
- Zatoiči džigoku tabi
- Zatoichi e o Especialista em Xadrez
Seen Zatoichi and the Chess Expert?
Movies Like Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Zatoichi’s Vengeance, Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally and Zatoichi Challenged.
-
Zatoichi’s Vengeance 1966 -
Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally 1989 -
Zatoichi Challenged 1967 -
Zatoichi the Fugitive 1963 -
Zatoichi’s Revenge 1965 -
Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman 1971 -
Zatoichi’s Cane Sword 1967 -
Zatoichi 2003 -
Zatoichi in Desperation 1972 -
Zatoichi the Outlaw 1967 -
Zatoichi and the Doomed Man 1965 -
Adventures of Zatoichi 1964
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Zatoichi and the Chess Expert, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Zatoichi and the Chess Expert?
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).
When was Zatoichi and the Chess Expert released?
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert was released on December 24, 1965.
Who directed Zatoichi and the Chess Expert?
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert was directed by Kenji Misumi.
More films by Kenji Misumi Who is in the cast of Zatoichi and the Chess Expert?
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert stars Shintarō Katsu as Zatoichi, Rokkō Toura as Crippled yakuza and Fujio Suga as Injury prone Banyu yakuza, among 17 credited actors.
Does Zatoichi and the Chess Expert have a post-credit scene?
No. Zatoichi and the Chess Expert has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Zatoichi and the Chess Expert in?
The original language of Zatoichi and the Chess Expert is Japanese.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
