Zatoichi, The Blind swordsmen was a character created by the actor Shintoist Katsu and was based on a novel written by Kan Shimozawa about a blind masseur, and blademaster set in the late Edo period (1830 to 1840). The movie series was produced Daiei Studios (now Kadokawa Pictures). There where a total of 26 movies in the series (1962 to 1973, then 1989), There was also a TV series, none of which I have seen, from 1974 to 1979. These movies are very entertaining. When you watch them what strikes you is how much like a western they are. Zatoichi wonders into situations and runs afoul of the local gangsters, and in the process protects the innocent. There is also a "He rides off into the sunset" aspect as well. He is a master of the Muraku-school Kenjutsu and Iaido sword technique it is characterized by a back handed sword grasping style, a rapid draw slash and return to the sheath. This style parallels a western fast draw gunslinger.
All of these movies are available on Apple TV.
All of these movies are available on Apple TV.
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