The Tale of Zatoichi

The Tale of Zatoichi

1962 · 96 min · ★ 7.3 · Adventure , Action , Drama

The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighbouring town's smaller gang is brewing.

Directed by Kenji Misumi · Written by Minoru Inuzuka

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Criterion Channel

Rent or Buy

Amazon VideoApple TV StoreFandango At Home
Provider data from JustWatch via TMDB →

Cast

Trailers & Videos

Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman Collection

The Tale of Zatoichi ContinuesThe Tale of Zatoichi Continues · 1962
The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
7.01962
MovieAdventureAction
Returning to the village where a year before he had killed Hirate, a much-admired opponent, Zatoichi encounters another swordsman and former rival in love.
Zatoichi the FugitiveZatoichi the Fugitive · 1963
Zatoichi the Fugitive
6.91963
MovieAdventureAction
After arriving in the town of Shimonita, Ichi finds that a price has been put on his head by a local yakuza boss. He's drawn into a trap, but after hearing of the slaying of a former love, Ichi furiously fights his way through the entire clan to face the killer, a hired ronin.
Zatoichi on the RoadZatoichi on the Road · 1963
Zatoichi on the Road
6.91963
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi is sworn to protect the life of a young girl and without any real allies finds himself in the middle of a bloody turf war.
New Tale of ZatoichiNew Tale of Zatoichi · 1963
New Tale of Zatoichi
7.01963
MovieActionDrama
Wishing to find peace, Zatoichi travels to his old village but only finds trouble when he ends up in a love triangle and finds old scores have followed him home.
Zatoichi and the Chest of GoldZatoichi and the Chest of Gold · 1964
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
6.91964
MovieActionDrama
Ichi travels to the village of Itakura to pay his respects at the grave of Kichizo, a man he killed two years ago. When some tax money is stolen while in transit to the governor he is accused and sets out to find the money and clear his name.
Zatoichi's Flashing SwordZatoichi's Flashing Sword · 1964
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
6.91964
MovieActionDrama
Blind masseur Zatoichi is nursed back to health by a young woman after he is shot by a gang member. Zatoichi, who had come to the village to repay a debt, now feels further indebted. He commits himself to use his amazing sword skills to help the young woman's father, whose river-crossing service is under attack by the same gang responsible for Zatoichi's wounds.
Fight, Zatoichi, FightFight, Zatoichi, Fight · 1964
Fight, Zatoichi, Fight
6.81964
MovieAdventureAction
Blind swordsman/masseuse Zatoichi befriends a young woman returning home with her baby. When gangsters mistake her for Zatoichi and kill her, Zatoichi determines to escort the baby to its father. He gains the reluctant help of a young pick pocket and together they travel to find the baby's father. But they do not reckon on the father's reaction to their arrival, nor on their own growing feelings for the child.
Adventures of ZatoichiAdventures of Zatoichi · 1964
Adventures of Zatoichi
6.71964
MovieAdventureAction
Blind swordsman/masseuse Zatoichi befriends a young woman looking for her father, a village leader who has disappeared. As he helps her investigate the disappearance, Zatoichi also becomes involved with another young woman who is trying to help her brother, who has murdered someone at about the same time and place as the missing man was last seen.
Zatoichi and the Chess ExpertZatoichi and the Chess Expert · 1965
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
6.71965
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi makes friends with a dangerous chess player, while fending off angry yakuza and bloodthirsty relatives out for revenge, and trying to save a sick child. Meanwhile, his luck with dice is turning.
Zatoichi and the Doomed ManZatoichi and the Doomed Man · 1965
Zatoichi and the Doomed Man
6.91965
MovieAdventureAction
Blind swordsman Zatoichi, jailed briefly, is implored by another prisoner to aid him in proving his innocence of a crime for which he is sentenced to death. Zatoichi is reluctant to get involved, because he knows how often such involvement has led to trouble in the past. But events conspire to thrust him repeatedly into involvement, and gradually he comes to believe in the man's innocence and determines to free him.
Zatoichi's RevengeZatoichi's Revenge · 1965
Zatoichi's Revenge
6.61965
MovieAdventureAction
Itinerant masseur and master swordsman, the blind Zatoichi, is near the village of his teacher, Hikonoichi, so he decides to visit. He learns of Hikonoichi's recent robbery and murder and the imprisonment of his virginal daughter, Osayo, in a brothel. Through friendship with Denroku, a local dice thrower and devoted father, Ichi uncovers an unholy alliance between the governor and the area strongman: among their scams is falsifying tax records to put farmers in debt, then forcing their daughters into prostitution at the boss's brothel. With help from Denroku's daughter, Otsuru, Ichi comforts Osayo until he can provoke showdowns with the villains and their henchmen.
Zatoichi's VengeanceZatoichi's Vengeance · 1966
Zatoichi's Vengeance
6.91966
MovieActionDrama
Zatoichi comes upon a dying man who asks him to give a bag of money to "Taichi". Zatoichi has no idea who this is but when he comes upon a small town harassed by gangsters, he finds that "Taichi" was the man's young son. Along his travels he also met a blind monk who makes Zatoichi question his murderous lifestyle. In trying to help the town, Zatoichi kills some gangsters and becomes a hero to the boy. He must make a choice of whether to use non-violence and set a good example, or violence and set the boy on the wrong path in life.
Zatoichi's PilgrimageZatoichi's Pilgrimage · 1966
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
7.11966
MovieDramaAction
Zatoichi's trek through 88 temples to atone for his violent past is interrupted as he stumbles into a village terrorized by a violent yakuza boss.
Zatoichi ChallengedZatoichi Challenged · 1967
Zatoichi Challenged
7.01967
MovieAdventureAction
Ichi is staying at an inn when a woman dies. Her dying wish is that Ichi take her son to his father, an artist living in a nearby town. After arriving in the town, Ichi finds out that the father has been forced by a local boss to create illegal pornography to pay off his gambling debts. Ichi makes it his mission to save the man and reunite the family, even though it brings him into conflict with a samurai he sort of befriended on his way to the town.
Zatoichi the OutlawZatoichi the Outlaw · 1967
Zatoichi the Outlaw
6.71967
MovieAdventureAction
When a local gambling house kidnaps some peasants because they failed to pay their debts, a rival gambling house pays their debts and sets them free.
Zatoichi's Cane SwordZatoichi's Cane Sword · 1967
Zatoichi's Cane Sword
7.41967
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi comes upon the town of Tonda, overrun by gangsters. Using one of his favorite techniques, Zatoichi proceeds to win 8 ryo in a rigged gambling game. Of course, the local gangsters attempt to kill him, and the adventure begins. It turns out a blacksmith named Senzo examines Zatoichi's cane sword, and discovers it to be forged by his old mentor. Senzo discovers the sword is at the end of its usefulness and will break when it is used next.
Zatoichi and the FugitivesZatoichi and the Fugitives · 1968
Zatoichi and the Fugitives
7.01968
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi runs afoul of some evil fugitives, working for a corrupt law official.
Samaritan ZatoichiSamaritan Zatoichi · 1968
Samaritan Zatoichi
6.81968
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi is forced to kill a young man who owes a debt to a yakuza boss. Moments later, his sister Osode arrives with the money she earned (prostituting herself) to pay his debts. The bosses true motives are revealed and he attempts to steal Osode even though the debt is paid. Zatoichi realizes his grievous error and protects the girl from the gang. Osode and Zatoichi are caught in a dilemma as she must rely on her brother's killer for protection and Zatoichi wrestles with the injustice he has caused.
Zatoichi Meets YojimboZatoichi Meets Yojimbo · 1970
Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
6.81970
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi treks to a village that has always been a favorite spot of his, only to discover that it’s become a living hell, plagued by feuding father and son yakuza as well as the younger crime boss’s bodyguard, scruffy, smart-mouthed, cash-hungry Yojimbo of legend.
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire FestivalZatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival · 1970
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival
6.81970
MovieAdventureAction
The blind masseuse is targeted by the leader of a powerful yakuza group while also fending off a jealous husband bent on revenge. Zatoichi tours Edo's underground via a rousing onsen fight scene, gambling houses and the gender-bending character of Umeji, before a final, flame-filled conflagration.
Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed SwordsmanZatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman · 1971
Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman
6.81971
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi is a blind massage therapist and swordsman who finds out that something troubling is taking place on the outskirts of town. After discovering who the guilty parties are -- an accomplished Chinese martial artist named Wang Kang and his youthful attendant -- Zatoichi finds them and discovers that the pair's mixed up with a dangerous bunch of terrorist samurai who murdered the boy's parents. Now, Zatoichi must step in to save the day.
Zatoichi at LargeZatoichi at Large · 1972
Zatoichi at Large
6.71972
MovieAdventureAction
Blind masseur and master swordsman Zatoichi finds a robbed and fatally wounded pregnant woman, whose baby he delivers before she dies. He takes the baby in search of its father and finds the child's aunt, who is about to be forced into prostitution for want of a payment the dead mother was bringing. Zatoichi determines to save the woman from her cruel fate.
Zatoichi in DesperationZatoichi in Desperation · 1972
Zatoichi in Desperation
6.61972
MovieAdventureAction
After accidentally causing the death of an old lady, Zatoichi tries to do right by buying the lady’s daughter’s freedom from a brothel - but this causes more problems than solves them.
Zatoichi's ConspiracyZatoichi's Conspiracy · 1973
Zatoichi's Conspiracy
7.01973
MovieActionDrama
Zatoichi, the famed blind swordsman, returns to his home village for the first time in many years. He is befriended by Omiyo, who had the same wet-nurse as Zatoichi. He also encounters a boyhood friend, Shinbei, who is now wealthy and appears not to remember Zatoichi. Shinbei seems to be interested in repaying the villagers' debts, but is, in reality, manipulating the ownership of a now valuable rock quarry. Zatoichi learns of the subterfuge and confronts his old friend, who has a score of yakuza swordsmen backing his play.
Zatoichi: Darkness Is His AllyZatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally · 1989
Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally
6.41989
MovieActionDrama
Older, wiser but still a wandering loner, the blind, peace-loving masseur Ichi seeks a peaceful life in a rural village. When he's caught in the middle of a power struggle between two rival Yakuza clans, his reputation as a deadly defender of the innocent is put to the ultimate test in a series of sword-slashing showdowns.

More from Kenji MisumiSee all →

BuddhaBuddha · 1961
Buddha
10.01961
MovieDrama
An Indian prince leaves his world of comfort and riches behind to wander and meditate for six years in search of spiritual enlightenment. Siddartha (Cojoin Hong) turns his back on the old religion when people are starving needlessly and holy rituals include human sacrifices. During his meditations, he is tempted by erotic dancing women, demons, and the evil machinations of his criminal cousin. Devastate to attain the spiritual perfection and become the Buddha. He travels to convert followers by his kindness and wisdom, gaining a multitude of believers when he stops an elephant from crushing a local priest. Buddha of course goes on to become one of the great religious leaders of the world.
Zatoichi MonogatariZatoichi Monogatari · 1974
Zatoichi Monogatari
8.21974
SeriesDrama
Blind masseur Zatôichi travels from town to town gambling, drinking, and fighting off the local gangs.
The Two BodyguardsThe Two Bodyguards · 1968
The Two Bodyguards
8.01968
MovieActionDrama
Film directed by Kenji Misumi
The Homely SisterThe Homely Sister · 1967
The Homely Sister
8.01967
Movie
In the 19th century Edo period, sisters Oshizu and Otaka have sacrificed their personal happiness to work and care for their ailing father. Otaka falls in love, but can’t accept a marriage proposal since her older sister needs to marry first. When Oshizu learns of this decision, she takes matters in her own hands.
Professional KillersProfessional Killers · 1972
Professional Killers
8.01972
SeriesDramaCrime
A shikakenin was an under-the-cover trade that undertook killing in Edo. Hanemon of Otowa, an agency that introduced laborers and maids, was also one of these. Katsugoro Iseya was a timber dealer who had come in as a client. His target was the constructions magistrate Hanno, and the Tatsumiya who sipped on the benefits. Hanemon who had a stong code towards killing, where he would only kill those who do no good to be in the world, accepts this request. Baian Fujieda, a needle doctor would carry out the killing. However, the professional killer Baian fails to bring down Tatsumiya. Hanemon then looks to another shikakenin, the ronin Sanai Nishimura for the role. Although Sanai's ability with the sword is good, he lives poorly in a tenement, and accepts this commission on the condition that it is kept a secret from his wife and child. Here, they close in on Hanno and Tatsumiya again...
Kogarashi MonjiroKogarashi Monjiro · 1972
Kogarashi Monjiro
8.01972
SeriesDrama
Monjiro was born into a poor farm family in Mikazuki Village, Nitta County, Ueshu, and abandoned his hometown when he was 10 years old. He has been traveling aimlessly with a long toothpick in his mouth. Monjiro avoided getting involved in anything, but wherever he went, he ended up getting involved in incidents
The Last SamuraiThe Last Samurai · 1974
The Last Samurai
7.71974
MovieDramaAction
The film follows the story of Sugi Toranosuke, a ronin, who returns to his home town of Edo many years after his attempted suicide as a sickly child. Rescued and adopted by a master swordsman, he has grown into a master swordsman and a very kind gentleman. The time is around 1868 the year that the nails were finally put into the coffin containing the feudal system that nurtured and sustained the samurai. Sugi is confused and unsure about what is happening but his teacher wants him out of the chaos of the multiple power struggles between the various clans.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River StyxLone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx · 1972
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart at the River Styx
7.41972
MovieActionDrama
Ogami Itto battles a group of female ninja in the employ of the Yagyu clan and must eliminate a traitor who plans to sell his clan's secrets to the Shogunate.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of VengeanceLone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance · 1972
Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance
7.41972
MovieDramaAction
Official Shogunate executioner Ogami Itto has been framed for disloyalty to the Shogunate by the Yagyu clan, against whom he now is waging a one-man war, along with his infant son, Daigoro.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of DemonsLone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons · 1973
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons
7.21973
MovieActionCrime
Ogami Itto is challenged by a quintet of warriors, each armed with one fifth of Ogami's assassin fee and one fifth of the information he needs to complete his assignment.
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to HadesLone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades · 1972
Lone Wolf and Cub: Baby Cart to Hades
7.11972
MovieDramaAction
Ogami Itto volunteers to be tortured by Yakuza in order to save a prostitute and is hired by their leader to kill an evil chamberlain.
The Funeral RacketThe Funeral Racket · 1968
The Funeral Racket
7.01968
MovieDrama
The film portrays a satirical view of today's heartless money-oriented society.
Gambler and the PrincessGambler and the Princess · 1959
Gambler and the Princess
7.01959
Movie
Film directed by Kenji Misumi.
Zatoichi ChallengedZatoichi Challenged · 1967
Zatoichi Challenged
7.01967
MovieAdventureAction
Ichi is staying at an inn when a woman dies. Her dying wish is that Ichi take her son to his father, an artist living in a nearby town. After arriving in the town, Ichi finds out that the father has been forced by a local boss to create illegal pornography to pay off his gambling debts. Ichi makes it his mission to save the man and reunite the family, even though it brings him into conflict with a samurai he sort of befriended on his way to the town.
What Price Love?What Price Love? · 1960
What Price Love?
7.01960
MovieDrama
Set in the middle of the Edo period (1603-1867), this tragic love story takes its cue from a celebrated historical case tried by magistrate Tadasuke Ooka, whose shrewd legal decisions became the stuff of legend. Okuma Shirokoya, the daughter of a lumber merchant in Edo (today’s Tokyo), embarked on an affair and was executed after conspiring with her maid to murder her husband. (Source: https://festival.ilcinemaritrovato.it/en/proiezione/shirokoya-komako/)
Shogun AssassinShogun Assassin · 1980
Shogun Assassin
6.91980
MovieActionAdventure
A Shogun who grew paranoid as he became senile sent his ninjas to kill his samurai. They failed but did kill the samurai’s wife. The samurai swore to avenge the death of his wife and roams the countryside with his toddler son in search of vengeance.

More Like This

A Knight's TaleA Knight's Tale · 2001
A Knight's Tale
6.92001
MovieAdventureDrama
William Thatcher, a knight's peasant apprentice, gets a chance at glory when the knight dies suddenly mid-tournament. Posing as a knight himself, William won't stop until he's crowned tournament champion—assuming matters of the heart don't get in the way.
The Bone CollectorThe Bone Collector · 1999
The Bone Collector
6.81999
MovieCrimeThriller
Lincoln Rhyme was the department's top homicide detective and leading expert in criminal forensics until an injury left him paralyzed, depressed, and incapable of working. But when a gruesome murder in Manhattan leaves detectives baffled, they call on Rhyme to help solve the mystery. Amelia Donaghy, a rookie cop whose quick thinking preserved a gruesome murder scene, is enlisted by Rhyme to be his on-the-scene forensics expert. With Amelia reluctantly acting as Rhyme's able-bodied go-between, the pair piece together cryptic clues the killer leaves behind at the scene of the crime, hoping to catch the grisly serial killer.
Crying FreemanCrying Freeman · 1995
Crying Freeman
6.41995
MovieActionCrime
A lethal assassin for a secret Chinese organisation, who sheds tears of regret each time he kills, is seen swiftly and mercilessly executing three Yakuza gangsters by a beautiful artist. She is captivated by the grace of his kill and later falls in love with him. An intense power struggle for the leadership of the Yakuza Clans ensues as they seek vengeance for the death of their leader.
Cheaper by the Dozen 2Cheaper by the Dozen 2 · 2005
Cheaper by the Dozen 2
6.22005
MovieComedyFamily
The Baker family, while on vacation, find themselves in competition with a rival family of eight children.
The Mistress of SpicesThe Mistress of Spices · 2005
The Mistress of Spices
6.22005
MovieDramaRomance
Tilo is an Indian shopkeeper in America with an ability to see the future and a magical connection to powerful spices, which she uses to help her customers satisfy their various needs and desires. One day she falls in love with an American man. But the spices forbid it.
HannibalHannibal · 2001
Hannibal
6.82001
MovieCrimeDrama
After having successfully eluded the authorities for years, Hannibal peacefully lives in Italy in disguise as an art scholar. Trouble strikes again when he's discovered leaving a deserving few dead in the process. He returns to America to make contact with now disgraced Agent Clarice Starling, who is suffering the wrath of a malicious FBI rival as well as the media.
The MightyThe Mighty · 1998
The Mighty
7.31998
MovieDramaComedy
Kevin, an intelligent guy helps out Maxwell to improve his reading skills. In return, Kevin wants Maxwell to take him out places since he is not authorized to go out. Being the social outcasts of the town, Kevin and Maxwell come to realize that they are similar to each other and accept that they are "freaks" and nothing will stop them.
Stop! Or My Mom Will ShootStop! Or My Mom Will Shoot · 1992
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
5.31992
MovieActionComedy
A tough police sergeant's mother comes to visit him, and promptly starts trying to fix up his life, much to his embarrassment. For his birthday she buys him a machine gun out of the back of a van, and begins to further interfere with his job and love life, eventually helping him with a case he's on.
SpiderSpider · 2002
Spider
6.72002
MovieDramaMystery
A mentally disturbed man takes residence in a halfway house. His mind gradually slips back into the realm created by his illness, where he replays a key part of his childhood.
Beverly Hills NinjaBeverly Hills Ninja · 1997
Beverly Hills Ninja
5.71997
MovieComedyAction
Haru, an orphaned American who washes ashore in Japan and is mistaken for the great White Ninja of legend. Raised among the finest Ninjas, Haru grows strong and big - very big. With the grace of all Three Stooges rolled into one body, Haru is an embarrassment to his clan. But when a beautiful blonde pleads for his help, Haru is given one dangerous, disastrously funny chance to prove himself.
Ring 0Ring 0 · 2000
Ring 0
6.22000
MovieHorrorThriller
Taking place thirty years before the events of Ringu, Ringu 0 provides the shocking background story of how the girl on the video became a deadly, vengeful spirit.
SidewaysSideways · 2004
Sideways
7.12004
MovieComedyDrama
Two middle-aged men embark on a spiritual journey through Californian wine country. One is an unpublished novelist suffering from depression, and the other is only days away from walking down the aisle.
King Solomon's MinesKing Solomon's Mines · 1985
King Solomon's Mines
5.41985
MovieActionAdventure
Ever in search of adventure, explorer Allan Quatermain agrees to join the beautiful Jesse Huston on a mission to locate her archaeologist father, who has been abducted for his knowledge of the legendary mines of King Solomon. As the kidnappers, led by sinister German military officer Bockner, journey into the wilds of Africa, Allan and Jesse track the party and must contend with fierce natives and dangerous creatures, among other perils.
Patriot GamesPatriot Games · 1992
Patriot Games
6.71992
MovieDramaAction
When CIA Analyst Jack Ryan interferes with an IRA assassination, a renegade faction targets Jack and his family as revenge.
Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies · 1963
Lord of the Flies
6.71963
MovieDramaAdventure
Following a plane crash a group of schoolboys find themselves on a deserted island. They appoint a leader and attempt to create an organized society for the sake of their survival. Democracy and order soon begin to crumble when a breakaway faction regresses to savagery with horrifying consequences.
StormbreakerStormbreaker · 2006
Stormbreaker
5.22006
MovieAdventureAction
After the death of his uncle, 14-year-old schoolboy Alex Rider is forced by the Special Operations Division of the UK's secret intelligence service, MI6, into a mission which will save millions of lives.
The SaintThe Saint · 1997
The Saint
6.11997
MovieThrillerAction
Simon Templar (The Saint), is a thief for hire, whose latest job to steal the secret process for cold fusion puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as the woman who holds its secret.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter