Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman - Vol. 1

Shintaro Katsu’s role as Zatoichi was so successful that it led to a TV series running from 1974-1979. This DVD contains the first few episodes of season one. Just like in the movies the blind swordsman travels from place to place trying to right wrongs caused by the corruption in ancient Japan caused by criminals and the government.In the first episode for example a Yakuza (gangster) boss has taken control of a copper mine with the complicity of the authorities. Asa result he has refused work to some and offered it to others as an exercise of his power. He comes to help a family that is struggling against the new boss. Of course that confrontation leads to a swordfight at the end.The TV series also borrowed many successful elements from the movies. In episode 2 Zatoichi takes part in his favorite trade, which is gambling. He uses his usual act of playing a dumb blindman that everyone can take advantage of and then he wins angering the gangsters that run the place. That leads him to draw his sword so that he can collect his winnings. The Yakuza try to get the money back leading to another displace of Zatoichi’s sword skills while he’s eating noodles for a little comedy thrown in as well.Basically if you like the Zatoichi movies you will like the TV series as well.

This series of Zatoichi the blind masseur/swordsman of old Japanese samurai ronin era is a hero tale. He's blind, so his trade is being a masseur, who travels and earns money as he goes. Massage was a common occupation for many blind people in the old days. He likes to drink and gamble, and people try to take advantage. He comes to the aid of villagers or damsels in distress, suddenly changing from an obsequious old drunk to a master samurai. The culture is old Japan, the language and cinema are all in Japanese. It doesn't matter, the acting and writing is so clear it transcends time and place. If you like hero stories, this is a classic. It ran on a public tv station back in the early 1990s. It's nice to have a copy of his now. It never seems to appear on cable, or tv. If you like Japanese art and culture, it is so well crafted that there are no jarring anachronisms. Yes, sometimes there is a pistol, but those were brought in by Portugeuse, Dutch and even American ships in those days.

Excellent chambara for all ages. I have maybe 15 of the movies: these tv productions are of the highest quality. In black and white they may well blow the minds of all my older (ahém!) martial arts brothers and sisters. Highly recommendable. The iaido is good. But the kokoro is better.I cut tv off in my house maybe 20 years ago. Only material like this allowed in the Cathode Ray Tube.These need to be re-cooked: Multi language subtitles, lyrics of the songs with Japanese alliteration and translation.. .

Probably my most favorite character in all movies and film; Zatoichi is an enigma. One cannot predict the story line with the constant weave of plots and characters the viewer encounters as the story progresses. That high degree of unpredictability in the story line is the main attraction for me. The quality of the film used, the expensive costuming and the simply stunning film locations make the Edo Period in Japan fully come to life. This screen realism enables the viewer to totally immerse himself or herself into that space and time with great ease. And the use of very attractive Japanese actresses in main roles really sets off Zatoichi's character as the blind, bumbling, almost unkempt, masseuse and master Samurai swordsman who cannot resist any game of chance or a warm cup of good hot sake. I am totally hooked on Zatoichi. Zatoichi is the bomb. And Shintaro Katsu, the actor who plays the blind Zatoichi, is a genius in his portrayal of this wonderful movie character.Aloha,D. A. RofoliKenai, Alaska

Watched this as a kid...tried to watch on Youtube but was difficult at best to watch in unison one episode after the other...with the DVD I can watch at my own pace and keep a better track of where I left off. Decent quality but what does one expect from an old B/W copy.

While I prefer the movies made about Zatoichi these TV Shows were done along the same lines as the movies were. Shintaro Katsu has to be my favorite of the Zatoichi actors. And I hope to one day have the full collection of all of his rolls as this fine social avenger for the poor and needy back then in feudal Japan. Even though he wasn't blind he acted with such realism as to make you believe that he actually was blind. And I think that is what makes his movies so captivating to watch. For those of you that have not yet seen any of his movies I recommend viewing the first three movies first. Then watch the others and do not miss "The Chess Player" or "The Cane" because they are two of my favorites. All in all this man devoted his whole life to making sure that the world realized that the Japanese people are just like any other race of men on this planet of ours. And for that I give the man my praise and my thanks for a job well done.

I Saw the Movie on TV, awhile back and I just had to have the Movie....

My viewing pleasure of course was the reason for my purchase. Excellent series and movies.

Prompt delivery good product

映画シリーズを、一通り網羅した後、魅力にとりつかれ、どうしても観たかったTV版。市のキャラも、一段と掘り下げられ、映画とはまた違った魅力があるTV版。かといって、それまでの魅力をそこなうことなく、1話完結ながら、その見ごたえは十分!出てくるゲストも豪華、豪華。5話収録ですが、映画5本分に匹敵する傑作です。月9だったのも、納得です。。座頭市が特に好きでない、時代物ファンの方も、その濃さに驚かれる事でしょう。