Zatoichi’s Flashing Sword 1964

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In this compelling tale, a solitary Yakuza musketeer known as Ichi embarks on a journey filled with danger, honor, and personal redemption. The story begins with Ichi in a violent confrontation by a canal, where a yakuza member, seeking to assert his dominance and earn recognition among his peers, shoots at Ichi in retaliation for his daring act of injuring the yakuza boss. Despite his bravado, the yakuza’s attempt to eliminate Ichi fails when he is rescued from the water by a kind stranger who pays a local woman to nurse him back to health.

Once healed, Ichi travels to the stranger’s hometown to show his gratitude. However, news of his survival quickly spreads, alerting the yakuza to his whereabouts. A chase ensues, but Ichi’s resilience and skill help him escape and continue his path alone, determined to clear his name and face his past. During his travels to the town of Kajikazawa, Ichi encounters a gang of stray ronin attacking a dojo. With a relaxed demeanor, he mocks their challenge, dismissing them for underestimating a blind man. Despite their threats, Ichi swiftly defeats all four ronin, showcasing his formidable skills with his shinai.

Upon arriving in Kajikazawa, Ichi learns that the stranger he helped was actually Kuni, the daughter of Bunkichi, one of the influential local bosses. Her father is planning a grand fireworks display and is involved in a tense conflict over control of a crucial river ford, which all travelers must pay tolls to cross. The story reveals a web of political intrigue, as Yasugoro, the rival boss, seeks to dominate the river crossing, while the local government inspector, who is having an affair with Yasugoro’s sister, conspires with him to undermine Bunkichi’s influence.

Meanwhile, Seiroku, played by Ryōsuke Kagawa, the son of Bunkichi, is introduced as a reckless young man who has fled town after racking up debts and refusing to settle them. His return sparks conflict, especially when Yasugoro hires four ronin to kidnap Seiroku, accusing him of attempting to kill Yasugoro. Yasugoro’s men threaten Bunkichi with serious consequences if he refuses to surrender control of the river rights, leading him to consider negotiations or conflict.

As tensions escalate, Yasugoro’s men pursue Ichi, but he remains elusive, fighting them off by diving into the river and drowning his attackers. Later, Ichi infiltrates the inspector’s house, where he confronts and kills both the inspector and Yasugoro’s sister, freeing Seiroku in the process. Seiroku, unappreciative and ungrateful, lies about his escape being voluntary.

The plot thickens when the ronin hatch a plan to betray Bunkichi, convincing him that a mediator will arrive to settle the dispute. Yasugoro, cleverly deceitful, tricks Bunkichi into believing that surrendering Ichi might be the best course. Bunkichi, unaware of Yasugoro’s treachery, orders Ichi to leave, despite Kuni’s distressed protests. Before his departure, Ichi warns Seiroku, recognizing him by scent, that “you really shouldn’t shoot people with guns,” then bids farewell.

However, Yasugoro soon launches a brutal attack on Bunkichi’s house, killing most of the occupants in a ruthless assault. Ichi, compelled by his sense of justice and the desire to witness the fireworks, turns back when he overhears Yasugoro’s men bragging about their plans. He kills the remaining ronin and invades Yasugoro’s house, where he confronts the antagonist. In a dramatic finale, Ichi cuts out the candles, forcing the enemies to fight in complete darkness. After defeating Yasugoro, he stands quietly in the glow of the fireworks, a symbol of his hard-fought victory and newfound peace.

This story is a powerful blend of heroism, rivalry, and the search for redemption amid chaos, showcasing the unyielding spirit of a lone warrior who fights not just for himself, but for justice and honor in a tumultuous world.