#Zatoichi: The Fugitive

[speedou]

Zatoichi: The Fugitive (Tokuzo Tanaka, 1963)

[chernobog13]

ZATOICHI AND THE FUGITIVES (1968)

This is the 18th of the original 26 films in the Zatoichi series.  It was directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda, who directed a total of six films in the series, more than any other director except for  Kenji Misumi, who also directed six (including the first, The Tale of Zatoichi).

Once again Zatoichi butts heads with a local yakuza boss who is making things miserable for the villagers.  To make matters worse, the boss takes in a group of vicious fugitives on the run from the law who act as his enforcers.

It all leads to the big showdown/running sword fight which had become the trademark of the series.  This time it is a little different as Zatoichi is injured going into the fight.

The film also includes a notable scene early on wherein the blind Zatoichi slices a snake in half as it falls from a tree towards him

[shinkleitus]

Zatoichi: O Fugitivo (1963), dir. Tokuzō Tanaka.

Review originalmente postada: 24/Fev/2023 no Letterboxd.

Calamidade é o que define a vida do Zatoichi. É este o ponto explorado neste quarto filme da franquia, por onde ele passa, traz um certo caos, junto de morte e tristeza. Até o que já foi algo de belo na vida de Zatoichi, volta emergido por este caos, que acaba se mostrando que nada é belo na vida desse pobre cego espadachim. Shintaro Katsu mais uma vez entrega uma performance incrível como Zatoichi, mostrando todo o seu carisma e habilidades de luta, além de conseguir transmitir drama e comédia sem perder o tom.

[abs0luteb4stard]

W A T C H I N G

[may8chan]

Zatoichi the Fugitive

[cinemaronin]

Zatoichi the Fugitive (1963)

座頭市兇状旅 Zatoichi the Fugitive (1963)  directed by Tokuzō Tanaka cinematography by  Chikashi Makiura

[redsamuraiii]

The Tale of Zatoichi (1962)

“Whether the sun is shining or the moon is overhead, it’s always dark for me and I don’t usually care. But at this moment, I wish I could see your face.” “Ichi, where are you going? Please take me with you.” “I appreciate you saying that but I don’t even have a place to live. And I’m blind.” “I’ll be your cane! I’ll endure hardship for as long as you live! You’re the man I love!”  “A young woman like you shouldn’t be guiding a blind man. People will laugh at you.” “I don’t mind. Let me come with you!”

At first I never understood why he rejected Otane until I watched the rest of the series to get a glimpse of what he’s life is like and why he is the way he is. 

For one, he’s afraid of losing her just like he lost his first love, Chiyo, who was in love with him until he was blind and she left him for it. So I guess he was afraid that Otane might have said those kind words to him, being young and emotional so he fears she will change her heart along the way as well, and leaves him. 

Even if she stayed loyal by his side, he’s afraid she’ll be killed by his enemies who will do anything to get him and he can’t live with that too. And if she does survive, he can’t give her a life she deserves when he doesn’t even has his own home to live in as he’s a drifter and can’t bear to see her being mocked at.

While he rejected her in this film, they meet again in the next episode where she is promised to another man even though her heart is still with Zatoichi. Zatoichi regrets not accepting her love previously as he only realizes now that unlike Chiyo, Otane is willing to accept him the way he is and still loves him for it.

But knowing that the man she is supposed to marry is an honest hardworking carpenter, Zatoichi figures that she’ll be better off living with a good man with a safe and stable life, away from uncertainties, hardship and danger as compared to living with him, constantly traveling on the roads and so they parted ways.

Few episodes later, Zatoichi stumbled upon her in an unexpected place where she has resorted to a life of crime as she was didn’t marry the carpenter as planned. While Zatoichi is glad to meet her again, Otane is embarrassed and hurt as he thinks she is still the same woman he once knew years ago. 

And to make it worse, she is attached to a Ronin who wants Zatoichi’s head. So Otane is caught in the middle between her loyalty to her current lover, accepting her fate as a criminal who could not turn back to her old life as it was before and her undying love to Zatoichi, who is now feeling guilty of what happened to her.

He must have thought things might have been different if he accepted her into his life instead of what she has become now. I must say it’s one of those tragic love stories I’ve ever watched. I guess that’s one reason he declined every other women who have showed interest in him. 

But that’s life isn’t it? We all make mistakes and end up with regrets wondering about things that could’ve been or should’ve been or what it would’ve been. As much as we want to turn back time, time passes by quickly without us realizing, pushing us forward every time while we are still asking ourselves where did we go wrong?

That’s what makes Zatoichi a very relatable and interesting character, that we could learn from. Sometimes we can’t think too much when an opportunity presents itself because we are to pre-occupied with the future of what might happen if we accept it. At least, we’ll have no regret knowing that we tried.

Rather than regretting not trying at all and you’ll end up wanting to relive the past, making your mind always absent from the present, either wandering through the past that we want to change or through the uncertain future that we want to plan with every detail that it’s draining us and fill us with anxieties. 

[ozu-teapot]

Zatoichi and the Fugitives | Kimiyoshi Yasuda | 1968

Yumiko Nogawa

[thecommoncurator]

[apicturespeaks]

Zatoichi The Fugitive, Tokuzo Tanaka

[zenmaidrive6]

映画 『座頭市兇状旅』 より、座頭市の想い人・おたねを演じる万里昌代。

A scene from the movie “Zatoichi Kyojo tabi (Zatoichi the Fugitive)”. Masayo Banri as O-tane who is the woman Zatoichi loves.

[iwasbornbut]

Zatôichi the Fugitive. Tokuzo Tanaka. 1963. Japan. 

[chernobog13]

Zatoichi the Fugitive (1963).

This is the fourth film in the Zatoichi film series, and the second of three released that year.  It concludes the origin and backstory of everyone’s favorite blind swordsman.  

It is not necessary to watch the first four films in order - each film gives you all the information you need  to fully understand what’s going on - but I highly recommend doing so.  You will get a greater appreciation of Ichi, and witness how he progresses as a character.

All the other films in the series, from the fifth (Zatoichi On the Road) through the twenty-sixth and last (Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally), are stand-alone stories and can be seen in any order.  When you finish watching all of them, you can then jump into the 100-episode long Zatoichi television series.

[tiffanyunscripted]

7 Underrated Japanese Films to Rent from DVD Netflix

Ronin (1994)

A leader commits ritual suicide when he dishonors a nobleman. 47 samurai warriors join to avenge his death. They spend years training to battle the nobleman and his powerful army. The film is inspired by true events. It's a must-watch classic film. If you love samurais, then you will thoroughly enjoy this movie.

Shogun (1980)

Action and drama set the stage for this critically acclaimed, television miniseries. English navigator Blackthorne (Richard Chamberlain) survives a devasting shipwreck. He's swept ashore a beach in Japan, where a power struggle is taking place between Shogun, Lord Toranaga (Toshirô Mifune) and the Emporer. There's bloodshed, mayhem, and destruction. This series is not for everyone. I recommend you watch it before you allow any children under the age of 17 to view it.

Zatoichi (1970)

This film is a great advocate for the blind. It shows how a challenge can be overcome with determination. When blind fugitive Zatoichi (Shintaro Katsu) seeks refuge in his favorite village, it's suddenly threatened by an overbearing boss named Masagoro (Masakane Yonekura) and his mercenary bodyguard Yojimbo (Toshiro Mifune). Two sword masters face off while the villagers are caught in the middle. Who will win? Who will lose?

Goemon (2009)

Ninjas and Japan go together like PBJ! Follow the exploits of ninja master Goemon Ishikawa, who leaves his clan after its chief is murdered. He seeks a life of peace and justice, using his skills to help the poor. He soon learns the true identity of his former leader's murderer and he sets out to avenge his death.

Late Ozu: The End of Summer (1961)

Father and daughter relationships are not without their challenges and acclaimed Japanese director Yasujiro Ozu tells a wonderful tale of how love is the most important aspect of it all. Three caring daughters  (Setsuko Hara, Yôko Tsukasa, and Michiyo Aratama) are concerned that their father will spend the rest of his life alone. Unbeknown to them dad has a paramour and is anything but lonely.

Floating Weeds (1959)

It's great when a director remakes his own film. Director Yasujiro Ozu teams with cinematographer Kazuo Miyagawa to remake his 1934 masterpiece. The awesome part of this story it is relatable in the 21st century. An actor returns to his hometown to discover he has a son by his old love. As he draws closer to the boy, his girlfriend becomes insanely jealous and attempts ruin the father and son relationship with lies and deception.

When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (1960)

A coming-of-age story told through the life of middle-aged bar hostess who entertains businessmen after work in the post-war Ginza district of Tokyo. The moving tale of Keiko (Hideko Takamine) will make us examine a system that traps Keiko in a dehumanizing and merciless lifestyle. She must decide whether she will marry a rich client or buy a bar of her own to provide financial independence.

You can watch these films with your family over a huge bowl of popcorn. Rent them from DVD Netflix via dvd.netflix.com. Add them to your queue today. If you don’t have an account, you can sign-up for a free month. If you decide to keep the membership, pay as little as $7.99 per month to enjoy DVD Netflix’s massive database of blockbusters, documentaries, independent films, and more.

Disclaimer: As a DVD Nation Director, for introducing the DVD Netflix service to you, as well as writing about some awesome movies to rent that can be challenging to find anywhere else, I’m rewarded and always happy to share awesome movies with you.  #dvd20 #dvdnation #ad

[may8chan]

Zatoichi the Fugitive