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'' (2003)]] Zatoichi (座頭市 ''Zatōichi'') is a . The only other actor to portray Zatoichi on film is Takeshi Kitano , after a hiatus of almost 15 years (and the death of Katsu). CHARACTER Zatoichi seems to be only a harmless Blind Anma (masseur) who wanders around the country making his living by Gambling ; however, he is also highly-skilled in Swordsmanship , specifically Iaijutsu . He does not carry a traditional Katana , instead using a well-made Shikomizue ( Cane Sword ). Shikomizue were generally straight lower-quality blades which could not compare with regular katanas, but as revealed in ''Zatoichi's Cane Sword'', his weapon is nearly superior to one as it was forged by a master Bladesmith just before his prime. A recurring theme of both the films and television series is Zatoichi protecting the innocent from oppressive warring Yakuza gangs, and general injustice. His fighting skill is incredible, even more so considering he grips the sword in an inverse manner; this combined with his sometimes inexplicably keen ear, nose and Proprioception renders him a capable surprise attacker. He is also most likely ambidextrous. In addition, as pictured in the 2003 movie, he can resume the traditional normal grip when necessary. The character's name is actually ''Ichi''. ''Zatō'' is a title, the lowest of the four official ranks within the '' Tōdōza '', the historical guild for blind men. Ichi is therefore properly called ''Zatō-no-Ichi'' ("Low-Ranking Blind Person Ichi", approximately), or ''Zatōichi'' for short. It is also a play on words: 'Sa' or 'za' is a combinative word for master; 'to' is likewise for sword; therefore, an alternate translation might read 'First Sword Master'. Giving massages was a traditional occupation for the blind, since blind persons and masseurs were on the lowest societal level, equal to or slightly above beggars. THE ORIGINAL SERIES OF FILMS The original series of 26 films featured Shintaro Katsu as Zatoichi. The first film was made in 1962 in Black And White . The third film, in 1963 , was the first to be filmed in Color . The twenty-fifth film was made in 1973 , and there was a pause of some 16 years before Katsu's last film, in 1989 , which he wrote and directed himself. The original series of movies features other popular fictional characters of the genre on two occasions: ''Zatoichi and the One Armed Swordsman'' ( 1971 ) connects with the Shaw Brothers series of Hong Kong produced movies directed by prolific director Chang Cheh . ''Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo'' ( 1970 ) features Toshiro Mifune playing a character named Sassa who bears a striking resemblance to his role as Sanjuro from the Akira Kurosawa films '' Yojimbo '' (lit. "bodyguard") and its sequel '' Sanjuro ''. The series has also had wide spread influences on non-Japanese films. The 1989 film '' Blind Fury '' featuring Rutger Hauer as a blind swordsman in contemporary America is based on the Screenplay of ''Zatoichi Challenged'' (1967) with elements of other films of the series. Zatoichi is one of several fictional blind heroes with superhuman fighting skills, and while predated by such American characters as the Pulp Fiction and Comic Book heroes The Black Bat and Doctor Mid-Nite respectively, is followed by the likes of Daredevil . The 1970s television series '' Kung Fu '' also featured a blind Shaolin priest possessing amazing Martial Arts skills. List of original films Notes:
THE TELEVISION SERIES The television series of Zatoichi ran for four seasons, with Shintaro Katsu in the lead role: # 26 episodes, in 1974 # 29 episodes, in 1976 # 19 episodes, in 1978 # 26 episodes, in 1979 See also: List Of Zatoichi Episodes Interestingly, in the final episode Zatoichi regains his eyesight but his hands are damaged, destroying his ability to fight with a sword. Yet, in the final movie, 1989's ''Zatoichi'', his eyesight is gone and his swordsmanship is as good as ever. PRODUCTION COMPANIES The majority of the films were produced by when Daiei went bankrupt. However, starting with ''Zatoichi the Outlaw'' in 1967 , Shintaro Katsu's own company, Katsu Productions, coproduced the films (as well as producing the TV series and his last Zatoichi film). After Daiei was out of commission, Toho Company took over the films in 1972 starting with ''Zatoichi at Large'', the 23rd film, until ''Zatoichi at the Blood Fest'' in 1973 , the 25th (and the last "old school") film. Shochiku distributed Katsu's last Zatoichi film in 1989 , as well as the new 2003 Zatoichi film starring Takeshi Kitano . Home Vision Entertainment was granted United States distribution rights to the original Daiei films (except for the 14th—see above), and has released them on DVD. ), ''Zatoichi at Large'' ( 1972 ), ''Zatoichi in Desperation'' ( 1972 ), and ''Zatoichi at the Blood Fest'' ( 1973 , as ''Zatoichi's Conspiracy''). Media Blasters (under their Tokyo Shock label) has released the 1989 film and (as of February 7 , 2007 ) the first season (26 episodes) of the TV series. THE PARODY ''.]] Takeshi Kitano's '' Getting Any? '' 1995 comedy features a parody of ''Zatoichi'', with Asao (played by Minoru Iizuka aka Dankan ) replacing injured Shintaro Katsu. In the second take of the main fighting scene, he mistakes his cane with a dipper for feces and uses it as a weapon. IN OTHER WORKS The character of Zatoichi is paid homage to in the character of Zato-Ino (also known as "the Blind Swordspig") in Stan Sakai 's long running anthropomorphic comic series '' Usagi Yojimbo ''. This iteration of the character uses his keen sense of smell to find his way and to combat his enemies. The Crimson Bat film series was an obvious imitation, but starring a blind ''girl'', played by Yoko Matsuyama , as the hero. '' Blindman '' was a Spaghetti Western variation on the formula, starring Tony Anthony in the Zatoichi role. The 1989 movie '' Blind Fury '' starring Rutger Hauer was inspired by the Zatoichi films and television series. In this movie Hauer plays a blind Vietnam War veteran trained to use a sword cane in battle. In the episode of The Boondocks television series " Granddad's Fight " Huey trains his grandfather believing his blind opponent (who uses his cane as a weapon) is a master of martial arts like Zatoichi, even making his Granddad watch some ultra-violent scenes from the movies to demonstrate his point. Throughout the film Equilibrium, the main character John Preston employs a swordsmanship style similar to Zatoichi's inverse style. In the fighting video game series, Guilty Gear (series) , there is a character for the first two installments called Zato-1 , who uses a parasitic beast to gain powers, at the cost of his sight. His lack of sight, and name is in reference to Zatoichi because the number "one" in Japanese is pronounced "Ichi", so the name would naturally be "Zato-Ichi". THE 2003 FILM In 2003 , Takeshi Kitano produced a new high-budget Zatoichi film, called simply '' Zatoichi '' (座頭市 ''Zatōichi''). In this Remake , Zatoichi discovers a small, remote mountain town that has been overtaken by a bullying gang who are extorting money out of them. As Zatoichi seeks to liberate the town, he encounters a '' Ronin '' seeking employment to pay for his ailing wife's needs, and two '' Geisha '' who are seeking to avenge the murder of their parents, but he soon discovers they are not what they seem to be. The film also showcases an unexpected musical finale. The soundtrack features contributions from Keiichi Suzuki (formerly of the Moon Riders ) and The Stripes . SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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