If you're a fan of samurai films, chances are you've definitely come across the character of Zatoichi.
Zatoichi is a famed fictional swordsman whose adventures are set during the later Edo Period (1603-1868) of Shogunate Japan. Originally created by novelist Kan Shimozawa, Zatoichi is noteworthy for the fact that he is blind, yet possesses nearly superhuman senses that make him a deadly swordsman, as well as an expert gambler. The character came to fame through a series of 26 films (made between 1962 and 1989) and a 1972-74 television series developed by Daiei Studios and starring actor Shintaro Katsu (who also occasionally directed).
I'd like to stress that Zatoichi is not a samurai, who were the ruling upper class of Japan, as well as its warrior class. His everyday guise is that as a masseur, which was one of the few jobs open to the blind in old Japan (and made him part of the lower classes). Also, as a gambler and lone swordsman, he and his adventures are part of the yakuza-underworld.
On the whole, the series didn't have much variety. As with American TV shows like "The Fugitive" or "The Incredible Hulk," Zatoichi would wander from town to town, coming in contact with people being oppressed by gangsters, corrupt officials and the like. Initially, he would be welcomed by the kind and despised (and underestimated) by the bad, finally unleashing his skills upon the unsuspecting enemy when the moment called for it.
Clip of Shintaro Katsu as Zatoichi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wSoBE75WXY
However, in its familiarity, it's easy to see why the character and the series has remained popular to this day. Quentin Tarantino included a tribute to star Katsu in the credits of "Kill Bill: Part I." Film number 17 in the original series was even remade in 1990 as "Blind Fury" starring Rutger Hauer. ("Blind Fury" clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi-q2wfKgQo)
Katsu died after making his last Zatoichi film in 1989, but the character is far from forgotten in Japan. In 2003, famed Japanese actor/director Takeshi Kitano made a quirky, internationally-award-winning remake (simply titled "Zatoichi").
Trailer for "Zatoichi" (2003): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F_zjwDPLPk
All the films are available for rental and sale in the U.S. I highly recommend checking them out. They're a treat.
No comments:
Post a Comment