The Toho Company
Oh! So close!
The first film by Katsu Production Co.
Oh! That was almost there!
Produced by Nagata Masaichi
Original Story: Shimosawa Kan Planning: Ito Takeo & Miyako Tokuko
Screenplay: Nakajima Takehiro, Matsumoto Koji & Saruwaka Kiyokata
Director of Photography: Miyagawa Kazuo Music: Ikeno Sei Recording: Hayashi Tsuchitaro
Lighting: Nakaoka Genken Art Direction: Nishioka Yoshinobu
Editing: Suganuma Kanji Fight Choreography: Kusumoto Eichi Assistant Director: Tsuchi Shigeru
Production Manager: Nishizawa Etsuji Theme performed by Katsu Shintaro on Daiei Records * Developing: Toho Laboratories
Ok, wiseguy. Let's see you do it! C'mon! Show us!
Since you're sneering at me, you must be much better!
But, I was just...
But me no buts!
C'mon, shot it!
Starring:
Miss, if you could do me a favor...
Would you change the target for me?
Instead of a big one... I'd prefer a small target.
Katsu Shintaro
Mikuni Rentaro Nishimura Ko Hamada Yuko
Ishiyama Kenjiro Hosokawa Toshiyuki Fujioka Takuya Suzuki Mizuho
Endo Tatsuo Mikimoto Kayo Matsushita Tatsuo
Tamagawa Ryoichi Furukawa Rokku Otori Keisuke Kyo Utako
Sakai Osamu Hayakawa Yuzo Morita Manabu Yano Tadashi
Mizuhara Koichi Date Saburo Kimura Gen Mizushima Masaya
Mori Ikuko Oki Tokio Fujikawa Jun Kobayashi Kanae
Ishihara Sumao Kitano Takuya Katsumura Jun Okajima Yoko
Nishioka Hiroyoshi Yabuuchi Takeshi Taniguchi Kazuko Koyanagi Keiko
Shiga Akira Kikuno Masayoshi Fukui Ryuji Hasegawa Shigeru Hisamoto Nobuko Taki Noboru
Mitsuboshi Tomi Hori Sawako Takadera Tadashi Tsuga Shizuko
Directed by Yamamoto Satsuo
As you requested, here's a small target.
All right. While you're there, could you...
...tap it three times, "Pat! Pat! Pat!"
Sure.
One...
Two...
Three...
Oh! He did it!
Bingo!
"Zatoichi Royaburi" Zatoichi the Outlaw
Here you go.
Thank you.
Old lady... Could you sell me a towel?
I have two kinds of towels: Patterned and plain.
Patterned is the best!
"Patterned" "Plain" Patterned towels are 16 mon, much more than plain ones. Is that all right?
Here you go... Patterned.
All right.
Old lady... How much is this?
Huh...? Oh!
It's my fault! I must've made a mistake!
Here. That'll be 16 mon.
Lady... Seems like you got bad eyesight, to!
The sooner you take care of it, the better.
So long.
Kill him!
Get him!
Kill him!
Why you...!
With such fine fighting skills as yours...
...you have no need to use your sword.
Even if I needed a sword, I wouldn't carry one.
I take it you are a samurai, sir...
...so why don't you carry a sword?
Even the blind walk around with sword-canes these days.
So what's wrong with there being a sword-less samurai or two?
My having a sword would only mean someone would get killed.
Poor Good Earth... She must not be soiled with blood!
"Poor Good Earth... "
"It's all right, all right. "
"My teacher tells me that...
"... you mustn't have an affair with another's wife. "
"He says, don't drink, don't gamble...
"... your craving will only shorten your life. "
"All right! All right! All right!"
"Rejoice, my dearest wife...
"... for as of today...
"... I've stopped drinking, I've stopped gambling, to. All right! All right!"
"No more fights, no more whores. "
"Gave them all up, now I'm hard at work. The fields are blooming!"
"It's all right... "
No gambling...
...no whores, no fights...
Oh? Sounds like I've stumbled upon one strange village!
Theater, assemblies, the festival...
It says they're all banned!
Sir Suga... please, this way.
"Due to the poor harvest, theater, as- assemblies & festivals are prohibited!"
Pardon me...
Would you shut up?
Er... Pardon me... Would you shut up?
Er... Pardon me... You aren't leaving? Beat it!
What a greeting... You aren't leaving? Beat it!
Would you get outta here, now?
Can't you see I'm busy getting ready for the festival?
But, dear... we've left the beans to dry at home...
I need you back home to help us!
I can't, and I won't!
Sis, you just don't get it, do you?
Hiya O-Shino...! You're using Sada here as an excuse...
...to come and see Nisa, right?
Whatever!
It's written all over your face!
Rokusuke, you dummy!
Pardon me, young fellows...
What do you want?
"Anma:" blind masseur. We never sent for an anma!
I'm in the same trade as you, sir...
A blind gambler, eh?
Hey! The Chief's leaving!
Right! Hey! The Chief's leaving!
Have a safe trip.
Pardon me...
Who the hell are you?
A traveler, sir.
Allow me to introduce myself, sir...
I'm busy right now!
Yo... Somebody take care of this guy for me.
Have a safe trip, sir!
Sir... Allow me to take care of you on behalf of my boss.
Allow me to introduce myself, sirs...
If we're not allowed to put on festivals and crowd-pleasing entertainments...
...we won't be able to keep our casino open!
Not to worry... I know exactly what to say.
I am counting on you, sir.
I must tell you, sir, that that ronin...
...Ohara Shusui, or whatever the bastard's name is...
Well, he's a great irritation, sir!
He's been telling the peasants to stop drinking and gambling...
If they do, we're out of business!
And not just us... Wouldn't it in- convenience you as well, sir?
Leave everything to me!
If your scheming fails to squeeze the peasants dry...
...then my business will suffer as well.
Sir... calling it "scheming" sounds so horrible!
Boss!
Yeah.
I've arrived with our guest, sir.
We've been expecting you, sir. Please, come in.
It's good to see you, sir!
Pardon the mess... but, please make yourself at home.
Please...
A drink for you, sir.
Sir Suga, we appreciate your visiting us on such short notice.
Please, make yourself at home.
Where should I start?
As you well know, sir, this year's harvest has been poor.
Times like these are when the peasants really want...
...to hold festivals.
"One mistake, and a hundred days of effort is but a fart in the wind. "
Not "what," "fart!"
The peasants aren't the ones who want the festival! You are!
Well, sir!
If you say so, sir...
When the crops are bad, gambling becomes more popular.
After two years of... continued crop shortages...
...Yamagen, you must really be pocketing...
...some serious money, am I right?
Surely you must be joking, sir! I'm just a soy-sauce merchant.
When there's a crop shortage, the lack of beans devastates me!
You are full of it! Before the crops are ripe, the bosses bankrupt...
...the peasants and seize their land as payment.
Then the soy-sauce merchant buys the land on the cheap.
How am I doing?
I'm no match for you, Sir Suga!
Oh... by the way...
...that Ohara Shusui fellow has been popularizing some strange song...
I hear he's started replanting fields.
"Replanting fields?"
Rice, you see... must be fed plenty of sun and air...
Kajiro, you think that...
...the more rice you plant, the more you'll get.
But you're mistaken. The rice will suffocate and die that way.
But... if you've got to do all that measuring and planting...
...then there's no way that one person can do it all!
Uhhuh!
Right?
That's why... when you're planting, you have to work as a team! See?
Besides...
...if you do your planting 20 days earlier...
...no matter how stormy it gets in early September...
...it's no problem, because the rice is fully grown by then!
Remember how our crops were better than yours last year? That's because...
...we listened to our Sensei here!
Well? How about taking another bit of advice from me?
Shift some of the soil and make the walkways three times as big.
Why that big?
The fields would get so much smaller!
You cheap bastard!
If the walkways are small, cold water will seep in...
...and the rice won't grow as much. That ain't good, now is it?
Place your bets!
Place your bets, folks! Place your bets!
Odds!
Odds, sir?
Yeah. Odds, sir?
Yeah. Evens, anyone? Evens?
Do I see any evens? Then, allow me to roll the dice!
Win or lose!
Pardon me...
If I could change my mind...
Sure thing, sir. After all, you've traveled 2-ri to be here!
It's odds, sir! That's to bad!
Damn it!
I'm betting the rest on odds!
All right, sir. Win or lose!
3 and 3 makes even!
Damn it!
Lost again, eh, sir?
Winning or losing, it all has to do with chance.
Place your bets now! Your bets!
Could I please... ask you to loan me some more?
We've already advanced you quite a lot so far.
Are you gonna pay it all back or what?
Yeah...
Excuse me for a moment.
Sir, if you'd come with us for a moment...
But, I'm not done with the game yet...
Well, please if you'd... But, I'm not done with the game yet...
Well, please if you'd... I wanna keep playing!
Place your bets! Your bets!
Your bets!
Wh... Where are you takin' me?
Shut up...!
Well, just come with us.
You bastard!
What the... What the? Oh! So it was all a set up! It was rigged!
Shut up!
You set me up, didn't you?
Setting up something is a part of the game!
Whatever we can squeeze out of you, we'll get!
Damn you!
Why, if it isn't Matashichi!
You pathetic peasants of Kiyotaki Village...
Talk about a bunch of losers!
No wonder your woman ran away from you!
Dammit! You took away all my rice and bean fields!
You ain't gonna get any more from me!
Oh, our gentleman friend...
Mister, you've been sitting there for a while...
Surely, you're not a statue, so why don't you play with us?
Don't tell me you're chickening out?
Well... I'd love to play...
...but those dice have been bothering me.
You've been rolling 3's a lot for some reason.
Well, sometimes a die might have a preference.
That's what makes the game interesting!
You're definitely right about that, sir.
If you knew in advance...
...whether you'll win or lose in a game, then...
...nothing would be more boring than that.
Say what?
That was just me mumbling, sirs.
All right then...
Well, folks... if I may be allowed to join you...
You see...
...as long as I'm playing a game...
...I hate making cheap little bets.
Here... 20-ryo.
All right, sir! Ready to roll!
Odds.
All right then! Win or lose!
Wait... a moment, please.
Can you... please tell me how many dice are in there?
What do you mean? There's two, of course.
I see. Are you sure, sir?
Of course I am!
If it turns out that you're wrong...
...then I win the game, yes?
Then let's begin.
Win or lose!
One and one. It's evens!
My word! Well, it seems that I've won this game.
Why, you blind bastard! Step outside!
Welcome home, sir.
He said his name was "Ichi?"
Yes sir.
I'm positive he said his name's "Ichi. "
Then it's gotta be Zatoichi.
You blind bastard! Step outside!
You thought you'd get away with it just because you're blind?
If you're a gambler, you should know what the rules are!
Sir? You follow the rules around here?
Say what?
What do you think you're doing, you idiot?
Hey! What do you punks think you're doing?
He's an important guest! He's got to be treated well!
Sir. Please excuse us.
The boss ordered me to let you in right away.
Fellows, this gentleman here goes by the name of "Zatoichi. "
He's in the same business as us.
Pleased to meet you all.
"Lai:" duels fought from a sitting position. I hear that you engage in lai duels.
Oh? A blind man doing lai?
That's right, sir. It's nothing, really.
Sir...
Your young men here are all so...
...full of energy! How commendable!
Say, Mister Dice...
You almost had me busted out a while ago!
Don't be cruel to me, sir!
As they say, "Bad luck now, better luck another time. "
Well, don't look so glum.
Well... it's not like I've got a grudge against you or anything...
It's just that I say what's on my mind, you see...
...so anything that pops in my head somehow comes out of my mouth!
Mister!
Bankichi!
Sada, why don't you offer Ichi a drink?
Yes sir. Mister, if you would...
Sure! Thank you...
Oh? It's a moth, isn't it?
Why, it's a moth again!
Sada, kill it quickly!
Yes, ma'am.
Sada... please let me do it.
If it had to be born into this world...
...better if it were as a beautiful butterfly...
The world, you see, is...
...full of unwanted souls like this moth here.
I can't stand them if they don't make the world a better place.
And if I can't stand them...
...I've gotta kill them, or else...
Welcome... Come in, please...
Welcome...
Welcome... Here ya go, sir!
Come in, please...
Welcome, sir... Please come in...
Come in...
Here ya go, sir! Please come in...
Gather around, folks!
Brother Nisa, where are you going?
Oh. I'll be back.
Step right in!
Come on in, please!
Well, sir? How about it? Come on in, please!
Sir? Going to pray?
No, I'm an atheist, you see.
I've never prayed to a god or buddha.
Just to the sun in the sky.
Oh, a customer!
Please, join us!
Please! Please, join us!
Please!
A festival, eh?
Festivals are for the sighted to enjoy.
There's nobody as pitiful as a gambler's wife.
My mother's been working all her life to make ends meet.
After my dad died, all she had left were the dice!
But, your dad was a respectable gambler!
And just what is a respectable gambler?
He didn't care if his family had anything to eat...
...he just gambled away!
Is that what you mean by a "respectable gambler?"
Well, Nisa... won't you please... quit your gambling?
Pull yourself together, and let's start a family... Well, Nisa?
Sweetie, it might be to late for that...
You mean you can't leave your gambler club?
That's it, isn't it?
Then there's no way we can be together...
...unless you quit gambling!
O- Shino...
You're awful...
You're the worst!
Wait! Won't you wait, O-Shino?
"A gambler's death is not a peaceful one. "
If you really love O- Shino, then...
...I'd suggest that you quit gambling altogether.
That's none of your damn business!
Ichi...
Oh, good morning, sir.
Good morning. Oh, good morning, sir.
It's not a big deal, but...
...do you think you can do me a favor?
What would that be, sir?
Oh, nothing much.
I could ask one of my men, but...
...I'd like to avoid any trouble.
If you do this, discussions will probably go more smoothly.
And that's why I'd like you to go.
Where to, sir?
I need you to deliver a letter to Asagoro in Kiyotaki Village.
Why, as long as I'm taking advantage of your hospitality...
...you can certainly ask me to handle a chore like that.
So you'll do it for me?
Yes sir!
I'd appreciate that. Yes sir!
But, please make sure... you bring his reply back with you.
I appreciate your coming here all this way just to deliver this.
I've read the letter fully and understand his intentions.
As for my reply, if you wouldn't mind waiting...
I understand.
Do you not have men working for you here, sir?
They don't come around unless I need them.
Yes, sir.
I'll be leaving.
Yes, sir.
Oh... Where are the lads who accompanied him?
They're waiting outside.
As for my "reply... " I'll have him deliver it, so...
...politely ask them to return home.
Yes, sir.
By the way, this gentleman's name is Ichi.
He's our very special guest.
Be sure that nothing happens to him until I get back.
Yes, sir.
Take good care of him, hear me?
Well, sir... I must be on my way now.
I intend to return as son as I can...
I know it will be boring, but please wait until I return.
Oh. Sure, sir.
You idiots! What if that blind bastard doesn't come back?
I'm sorry, sir!
What the heck is this?
The lady we saw in Kiyotaki...
Show me! The lady we saw in Kiyotaki...
Why you dumbass!
This is all it took to make you slink back here like dogs?
You think you're funny?
Please, forgive us!
Why you! Please, forgive us!
Please, forgive us!
You morons!
Please forgive us!
Brother Tetsu! I think that's enough, don't you?
Boss, I'll have a word with these two later.
For now, though, please let them off the hook.
Remember, you'll pay for this goof up!
I wonder what... steps Asagoro will take?
I'll bet he tries to settle things without getting his feet wet.
But, if need be, we can easily wipe him out.
Yes, Boss, but what if... that Ichi guy turns his back on us?
Well, I am truly sorry for making you wait so long!
Well, thank you for taking care of me last night.
I planned on being back last night, but...
...things came up at the last minute, you see.
I don't know what to say!
Well then, if you could verify the amount...
Sir...?
By "reply" you mean money, sir?
Two twenty-five's makes fifty-ryo.
That's for Matashichi's 30-ryo debt...
...and Sokichi's 20...
One moment...
If I may so ask, sir...
They're peasants who aren't part of your gang.
Why are you paying their debts, sir?
Those peasants are important customers who patronize...
...my gambling house, you see.
We've had two years of crop shortages, as you know...
...and it's been hard on the peasants.
So we've had to shut our casino down every third night or so...
...and so some of them go to Tomizo's casino in Iwai Village.
Oh, that reminds me...
...when I was coming into the village...
...I heard the villagers singing, saying they'd quit drinking and gambling.
Ohara Sensei is right...
People with consciences should gamble in moderation.
But there are addicts, you see...
...who have lost their lands and fields...
Not to mention getting barred from setting foot in their own villages.
It's certainly giving me a headache!
A- ha...
They wanted to intimidate you... to provoke you...
What a lame way to try and use me!
Please forgive me, sir.
No! You're not at fault, my good man!
If 50-ryo can prevent bloodshed... and help settle things...
...that's a bargain, you see.
Men like us make our livings treading the backstreets of society.
These are the only times when we can help righteous people...
Perhaps that's a gambler's obligation: To save the weak?
I've verified that I have 50-ryo in my possession.
Now I've paid back for my one night's accommodation here, eh, Chief?
Why, Ichi, don't sound like we're complete strangers!
I must say, it's been a while since it felt like...
...all is right with the world!
I returned here impressed... how rare it is to find someone who...
...protects the weak and opposes the strong!
Boss Asagoro... Why, what a respectable man he is!
I cannot help but admire him.
You see, I was very much touched!
Oh, by the way...
...in exchange for the money, the deal is that I'd escort the peasants back.
No objections, I hope.
I know I've said it to many times, but...
...never turn against Boss Asagoro, or else!
Yes, sir!
Have mercy!
Damn it, you...
They're but innocent peasants!
Hey. You screwed up! Now you've got to square things.
Go!
What's the matter? Are you scared?
I'm not scared! Dammit!
I... Ichi...
Oh! S... Sadamatsu!
N... No...!
Sada!
Nisa! Nisa! C'mon!
O- Shino...
Nisa!
Sada!
Sada...
Sadamatsu!
Who... Who killed Sadamatsu?
Those guys... attacked us first...
I'm not making it up! It's the truth!
Murderer!
You can't feel anything, because you're blind!
You can't... You just can't see how red the blood is!
And you just can't see the expression on my face...
...when my only brother's been killed!
You won't know it! That's why...
That's why you can go on killing people!
Madman! Demon!
Madman! Bastard!
Boss Asagoro apparently...
...sent something to help out...
Money, huh?
I ask for your forgiveness...
If I had not been there, this tragedy would never have happened.
Do not let it get to you.
Swords will never save a soul, no matter what paths you take.
You're... the gentleman from the other day.
But, you see, sir...
...a sword does have its uses; it depends on how you use it.
That's right!
That man may be blind, but...
...he's amazingly strong! Like, "Whoosh!"
I saw him!
Perhaps you need to have an arm or two sliced off!
Perhaps then, your attitude would change!
Right!
Shit! Mama!
Which would you prefer: Me being crippled, or quitting gambling?
Cut it out!
Mister samurai... what do you...
...do for a living, sir?
He's nothing but a... freeloading ronin!
What're you sayin'? He's our Sensei!
"Our Sensei?" Not only did he make you discard your traditional ways...
...he demands we do this and that, all the time!
Cut that out! You're such a stubborn old hag! So much so that...
...even Matashichi's wife ran away!
She didn't run away! I kicked that wench right out my door!
It's because she wasn't good enough...
...that her man got hooked on gambling!
You stubborn old hag!
Don't you remember our Sensei saying that the paths in your fields...
...are crooked because your soul is!
Say what?
Would you please stop?
The mon must be splendid tonight.
Indeed, splendid it is! If it were possible, I'd want you to see it.
I wouldn't want to see it.
I've been blind since I was a toddler, so...
...life is easier because I can't see anything.
How many have you killed in your lifetime?
More than you can possibly count?
If you don't kill, you'll be killed instead.
I'd like to... think that I've only killed bad people.
The ones you thought were bad, and thus killed...
...well, their families, in their grief, must hold grudges against you.
It all began when I was little...
...because I hated being taken advantage of by the sighted.
And so, you learned lai.
I do understand your feelings, but...
...no matter what incredible skill you have...
...the fact is that a blind man is just a blind man.
"A blind man is just a blind man. "
You, sir, surely do speak your mind.
Still, it's not true that a blind man will sire blind children.
Children?
Human beings, you see... prize the fact that their...
...legacies are passed down to their children, and on to grand-children.
So beautifully said!
You pretend your life is good, carrying a sword concealed inside your cane.
Have you ever, even once, felt so much at ease that you could sleep like a child?
Fighting will only make you feel empty...
Wait... Please. No more lecturing.
Each human being is born with a certain... how should I say...
...karma, I suppose...
And... well, it's hard for me to think about it...
I've traveled to many places... and met many bosses...
...but before tonight, I'd never met the boss of a peasant tribe.
I see. Now that's an interesting comment, my good man.
Well then, please give my regards to your peasant folks.
Madam, where's the Boss?
He's closing up a gambling shack in the ward...
What are they doing over at Asagoro's?
Ma'am, it's chaos over there! He's gathering his men!
I do appreciate your coming to tell me...
...but one can only endure so many outrages.
I can't take anymore of their insults!
That's exactly what they're trying to get you to do!
It's as if we're doing exactly what they expect.
But, Ichi...
No matter what, in the end, you'll lose...
...because they have the support of the Deputy of Kanto.
Regardless of what happens, you'll be forced to sell your land, sir.
Think of the peasants, please, as they must deal with the consequences.
But you know... I've got my pride, see...
Won't you please...
...leave that part... up to me?
When we last talked, I was...
...impressed at seeing that some still help the weak, and punish the strong!
You see, Boss, I've come to greatly admire you!
Now, Ichi! There's no need to flatter me like that!
No... Unlike the sighted, blind folks learn to admire...
...straight from the heart.
Boss... won't you please place your hand... in mine?
My hand?
Like this?
Aye... Thank you, sir!
The peasants in this neck of the woods must be...
...very lucky to know people like Shusui Sensei and you, sir.
I look forward to our future, sir!
I, Asagoro...
...won't ever let you down.
Sir.
Well, then...
Oh, Toki... Get me all the cash we've got.
Yes, sir.
Ichi, don't leave yet.
Sir? Ichi, don't leave yet.
Sir? Continue your travels for a year or so...
Here you go. Continue your travels for a year or so...
By then, things should be back to normal here...
Do come back then, hear me?
Wh... What's this, sir?
My appreciation.
Boss... Thank you, sir.
Hey!
Clean up this mess before the officials come looking!
Yes sir.
Tetsu...
Is all the money we made today in the safebox?
Yes sir.
Good. Let me take it.
Business was quite good today, so it's quite heavy, sir!
No problem! The weight of money never loads me down!
Looks like it's gonna pour hard!
I can't abide thunder and monks.
It's Ichi!
Just knock it off... It's worthless...
I've told you... So why now...
Holding back the tears... Reverse stroke!
Sun sets on your back... Sun sets on your back...
Oh! Here comes one!
I wonder if it's a young housewife this time?
No! Sounds like someone even younger this time!
Yeah! Yeah!
Hey, girl!
Wanna play with us?
With a chubby one and a skinny one?
Oh, that we are!
Uhhuh!
Oh no! They're gone!
Here comes another one!
Where? Where?
It's a guy.
A guy? That ain't good!
Another one! Another one! A beauty at that!
Hi there! We were waiting for you!
Gee... An oldie!
What?
She's got a big mouth, to! Like this big! What?
Hush, why don't you? I was born with this big mouth of mine!
Women, you see, will get old no matter what!
Look at you! Is this supposed to be an Anma whorehouse?
Look at all these ugly faces, lined up in a row!
If you keep on whining some bullshit...
...I'm gonna lump you all into a ball and suck you in!
That was scary!
That woman was like a python! It ain't good!
She sounded like one very vengeful broad.
To bad you are totally blind and couldn't see.
Pardon me, but... is our neighbor a teacher of some kind?
Yeah. She teaches singing.
I hear she once made a living as an entertainer in Edo.
Oh!
She's a beauty!
She loved my massages, but then...
...our boss got a thing for her, so he's here every day...
...singing along with his scratchy voice!
Oh! Indeed, what a fine voice she has!
Right. And not just her voice...
...but her body is just to fine!
Her breasts, y'know... are, well...
"Mochi:" pounded sticky rice. ... as fluffy and soft as Mochi!
And, from the waist down to her thighs...
So soft, man!
Such are the Anma's fringe benefits! So soft, man!
"Er, miss... Please allow me to massage your tummy today. "
"It's on me, since you're such a good client. "
"Oh, really, Sanji! I appreciate that!"
"You always do my tummy so well that it helps my digestion a lot!"
"Oh, thank you, ma'am!"
And so you act kindly...
...then you work around her tummy...
...and then... y'know... feel below the bellybutton...
Man, I love it!
Oh?
"Daifuku:" mochi and bean paste cake. My daifuku got squashed!
...2... 3... 4... Hey! They're gone!
Dammit! Who's the thief?
Jinsuke!
Yeah?
The new guy's the culprit! Yeah?
The new guy's the culprit! What?
Hey!
Sir?
Gimme back my daifuku! Sir?
Gimme back my daifuku! N... No, I wouldn't steal anyone's daifuku!
What? Gimme it back! Gimme back!
How dare you... behave like this, when you're new here?
Why you...! There! What the...?
You stupid fool!
Idiot! What do you think you're doing?
You bastard! Idiot! What do you think you're doing?
You bastard!
You newcomer, you!
Why you!
You!
Hey!
Fellows! Knock it off! Knock it off, I said!
Damn it, you!
Hey!
Let go!
Fellows! Cut it out, I'm telling you! Let go!
You good-for-nothings!
If you've got some time to kill, go practice sticking needles in pillows or something!
Hey!
Aye, sir.
Jin and Kinsaku, you go over to Sankairo. Aye, sir.
Jin and Kinsaku, you go over to Sankairo. Yes sir!
Yes sir!
Sanji and Sadakichi to Tachibana's.
Yes sir.
Get going.
Ow!
Ichi! I figured you'd be coming just about right now.
Why, I'm sorry to make you wait! Uhhuh!
Thank you, ma'am!
"Last night I fell... "
"... seven times... that's what's 'eighting'me... "
"La la la... "
Stop it! Stop it!
I'm sick of watching you dance!
I am sorry, sir!
Easy now, sir!
Here he is, sir. Easy now, sir!
Here he is, sir.
Er... Hello.
Thank you for allowing me to be at your service tonight.
Oh? A blind entertainer?
Now that's different! What're you gonna do for us?
Well, as I'm an anma, I am here to give you a rub-treatment, sir.
Oh? A "rub-treatment?"
Oh, I love it!
The one where you go "ta-da-da," right?
You've seen it, haven't you?
No, sir.
No...? Don't know it.
I've never heard of a dance by that name!
Sir!
Quite a joker, you are, sir! Me, dance?
Why look down on dancing?
Usually, blind men go around singing and playing the shamisen and all.
A petty blind man, that's what you are, fellow!
Just like that... Can't you play the shamisen, at least?
If you can't, then... I know!
I'll make you drink a whole bottle of sake in one gulp!
Please... don't be so unreasonable, sir.
Then play the shamisen. I was just kidding about before.
You shouldn't get so pissed off like that, fellow!
Hey... Somebody lend this anma a shamisen!
Yes sir!
Hurry up! Hurry!
Mister anma, come this way. Hurry up! Hurry!
Mister anma, come this way.
Aye. Aye.
Aye, sir.
Well, well... Well, now I'm in trouble!
Here. A shamisen.
Here. A pick.
Well...
In that case...
...if it's just for laughs...
Oh! Not to shabby, anma!
Here. Let me tip ya!
Hey! Don't you want it? It's a gold piece!
Here!
Not enough for ya?
Mister anma, pick them up, why don't you?
How's this...? Not enough yet...?
How's that...? Pick them up!
Crawl! Crawl like a baby to pick them up!
Sir, I am blind.
All right! Then go pick them up!
And I am a pitiful blind woman, sir!
All right! Go pick them up!
And so am I!
Girl, you go pick them up, to! And so am I!
Hey! Be careful!
It's so miserable not being able to see!
Where are they?
Try to pick them up!
There! Hey, no need to fight, you stooges!
Hey, anma! I told you to pick them up! Or I'm gonna have to do this!
You bastard!
Sir... I'd suggest that you stop kidding around.
Someone's coming!
What kinda girl?
I dunno. What kinda girl?
Oyuki!
Hello.
Ichi! I'm here for you.
Oh! Thank you. I appreciate you coming here for me day after day.
Let me finish fixing this thing first.
Why don't you let me sew that for you?
No! You pervert!
You can't even see! You lecher!
Well... How am I doing so far?
You're pretty good at sewing, Ichi!
You sure are friendly!
Well, I love Ichi!
Go!
...and Sadakichi! Go!
Sir!
Y'know... I'm used to walking alone. Don't worry.
My hand... It's cold, isn't it?
A cold hand means that your heart is warm, or so they say.
Ichi! The Boss needs to see you right away.
But I was just about to...
Well, I'll do the massage in your place. Now, let's, er...
Oyuki, let us get going now... My, what pretty hands you have!
No!
Wha...?
Boss... Er... You wanted to see me, sir?
Oh. Come in, and seat yourself.
Well, thank you, sir.
Er... Perhaps you are giving me a raise?
Sure. Depending on how you do, I may be able to be really generous!
I appreciate that, sir!
"Yojimbo:" bodyguard. How about it... wanna become a yojimbo?
"Y... Yojimbo...?"
Yeah, a yojimbo at the gambling house.
My good man Yajyurou asked me to...
...find him a really decent yojimbo.
Oh, no, boss! Not me!
Why... just hearing about "betting" and "slaying" makes me tremble!
"Tremble," eh?
Maybe you make OTHERS tremble with your swordsmanship!
The word is that a skilled lai swordsman...
...a wanted fellow, named Zatoichi...
...has arrived here in Kiryu... or so I have recently been informed.
And it seems that this outlaw fits your description!
But then, people don't call me "Boss" for nothing.
When a man of your talents walks into my house, I know how to handle things.
So I'm wondering... about what I talked to you about...
Well? How about saying good-bye to this masseur's life of yours...
N... Now...
Sir, it's as if you're saying that I am...
...another gentleman, "Ichi the Masseur. "
Yes, I am Ichi, but not that Ichi, sir.
Say what?
Don't even mention lai...
I've not once laid my hand on any cutting instrument, save for a razor, sir!
I have nothing to fall back on, except for my skills as an anma.
Do you think that I, Tatsugoro, can possibly be fooled?
All it would take is a single word from me...
...and you're a dead man!
I understand what you're saying, sir...
...but I'm just an anma, nothing more!
I see. You really are just an anma, eh?
Yes... I am just an anma, sir.
You bastard! You bastard!
You fellows! Listen up!
I take it you don't get along with this man.
Go ahead! Beat the crap out of him!
Thank you, sir!
You know it! I can't stand this guy at all!
What the...? Are you getting smart with me?
Ow!
Don't you fellows just stand there! Help me out...! Why you!
Fellows! You guys beat him up, to!
Beat him up! Beat him up!
Go ahead! Beat the crap out of him!
Beat him up! Beat him up!
Wh... Who... told you that I'm that Zatoichi guy, sir?
Silence!
Well? Pissed-off yet?
If you're pissed-off, then...
...slay me with your lai technique!
Good evening.
Oh? You know, Ichi serves us here every night.
Ichi won't be coming here no more.
"No more?"
Uhhuh. "No more?"
Uhhuh. You're lying!
Ow! You're lying!
Lying? I ain't lying!
It's true! He's... a fugitive, so my Boss kicked him out!
You're...
Figured out, eh?
Die!
D... Damn you!
Do what you want!
Damn it, you!
Kill me!
Damn you!
Listen, Ichi, my man... Go check out Higata.
Asagoro will be worshipping you by now! You'll see!
Just what do you mean by that?
You blind men really are blind, aren't you?
So much so that you lack foresight as well!
The 80,000 koku fief of Higata is all in the hands of Asagoro now!
All because he's opening up casinos everywhere, with official sanction...
...and taking away the fruit of all the peasants' sweat and tears!
That great man, Asagoro, would never...
...you know... step off the path of justice.
He's not that kind of man.
Besides, he'd never do anything to harm the peasants... Ridiculous!
"The path of justice?"
You make me laugh!
That bastard Asagoro... he's got two faces!
Oh? "Two faces...?"
Yeah. Not six months after you left...
...Asagoro got a post at the office of Suga Kyushiro, the Kanto Deputy!
And, in return, he gave the Deputy a gift... O-Shino.
What? O-Shino?
Suga made her his concubine.
Tomizo's gang was no more by then.
Tetsu, Mankichi and the guys all surrendered to Asagoro.
They're all sworn to serve him now!
Now even you should be convinced that what I'm saying is true!
Impossible. Boss Asagoro would never...
Suit yourself!
Today, I made a mistake...
...but I'll kill you some day, no matter what it takes!
Payment, sir!
Pardon me...
Enter.
Asagoro...
This gentleman is Sir Saito Hyogo, the Investigator.
I'm Asago... Asagoro, sir.
I've dedicated my life completely to this office, sir! How do you do?
Fellow... What do you think of Ohara Shusui?
He's talking about ways of producing loads of rice...
...and working the second crops and such.
He's talking big about this nonsense to a bunch of stubborn peasants he sees.
To put it briefly... he's a wretch.
He isn't a Christian, is he?
No, sir... He's nothing like a Christian...
He says that the Good of Japan is the sun in the sky!
And the Sun is the Supreme Being.
That, he claims, is the Good of the nation.
Supreme Being, eh...?
Where does Ohara come from?
He was once an Owari clansman.
I seem to remember that he once served the House of Kujo in the capital...
Kujo of Kyoto...
He could be an imperialist.
An imperialist?
They oppose the great Tokugawa Family, who have governed Japan for 300 years.
They're insolent fools who want to rule the nation!
What if Ohara is an imperialist who's hatching...
...a major conspiracy by persuading the peasants to...
Suga... it could either mean a great reward...
...or this. You'll be right there on the edge.
Asagoro... the same goes for you, fellow.
Aye, sir.
Why don't you... drink, to?
Drink, why don't you?
No!
Please, sir, leave me alone!
No, I won't.
Hot, isn't it?
Well?
What're you... looking at me like that for?
Do you despise me that much?
Do you detest the thought of giving yourself to me that much?
All right...
I'll make you give yourself to many men in one night!
Take your time and see what it feels like!
One, two... One, two...
Hey!
The gambling house is open tonight!
Well, I'm sorry, but I quit gambling a long time ago.
Say what? Who's making it possible for you to work in these fields?
It's all because of our generous Boss, Asagoro!
And you say you've quit gambling?
In that case...
How's this?
No! Stop!
What do you think you're doing?
What the?
Take this!
You bastard! Take this!
You bastard! Why'd you do it?
You mean... you want us to just let them have their way?
Sensei! We can't bear it any longer!
Please, teach us how to use a sword!
I've lost my faith in Boss Asagoro!
There's no worse crook than him!
They are beasts in disguise, covered by human skin.
Beasts cannot laugh or cry.
They are pitiful beings. If they want to bark or bite, let them be.
While they're having the time of their lives...
...you are to gather together as many men as possible.
A Daimyo named Mori Motonari once taught his child...
"It is easy to break one arrow... "
"But, three arrows in a bunch... "
"... cannot be so easily broken. "
The same principle applies here.
If all of you come together as one...
...they're not worth a fart!
"Not worth a fart. "
You mean it?
Of course! You mean it?
They do not know the rigors of producing rice...
...yet they devour it like it's nothing. What shitbags!
A- ha... Shitbags and farts...
They go together!
What're you doing? C'mon!
I know!
Sensei is in there! I know!
C'mon! I know!
Hello!
I, to... wanted to hear Sensei talk, so I...
Oh, it's so nice of you to come! Step inside!
Yes sir!
I don't got no fields or farm no more...
I reckon I shouldn't be here with you all...
Now that you've come here...
...you must vow to quit gambling for good.
Sir... I've really had it... with those little games!
Matashichi, you'd better not do it again!
Well, then... Today, I want to talk to you about forming a "credit union. "
Ohara Shusui... You're under arrest for leading a renegade movement.
What do you think you're doing to our Sensei?
There!
Where are you taking him?
Sensei!
Calm down.
There's no need to worry.
Sensei!
I have committed no crime. Sensei!
I'm depending on you to look after each other and be well!
Sensei!
Go!
Sensei! Go!
Sensei!
Our harvest will be fantastic this year!
Move!
Sensei!
There!
Sorry, guy!
There you go, sir.
Well? How about it, sir?
Step right up!
Oh, good! Mister!
Well? Come play with our collection of top girls!
I'm blind, as you can see...
Oh, no matter, sir! The girls here at Tomoeya don't discriminate, sir!
They do everything they can to properly serve our customers!
But, don't take my word for it! Step right up, sir! Please! Please!
I'd like to, but I need to get to Kiyotaki rather quickly!
What? At this time of the night?
Day or night, it's all the same to me.
But, I wouldn't recommend it!
There's a dangerous spot along the way called "Byobugaura. "
What if you slip and fall in there, Mister?
Maybe it would be safer if I stay here tonight...
Well then, allow me to be entertained here.
Sure! Thank you, sir!
Pardon me.
Have I got a nice girl for you!
She just started working here very recently.
Come on in... What's taking you so long?
Please treat her well!
Miss...
No need to stand there. Why don't you sit beside me?
Ichi!
You know my name...
Who are you, miss?
What's wrong with you?
Have you forgotten my voice?
Don't tell me... You can't be O-Shino...
So what if...
...I'm the Shino you're thinking of?
Are you really O- Shino?
Wh... What are you doing in a place like this?
How can you have the gall to ask me that?
Don't you remember? It's all your fault!
It's all because of you...
...that my life got messed up!
And, it wasn't just me...
Everyone in the village...
...all of them as well!
What Nisaburo told me was true...
Nisa?
He's still alive?
I saw him in Kiryu.
Doesn't Nisaburo know... about you?
I've gotten over him!
A long time ago!
It ain't... the looks that makes the man...
It's the heart.
O- Shino...
Don't you let anything get you down.
Nisa, it's you, isn't it?
I've been waiting for you.
O- Shino was bought by a bordello in Choushi.
What did you say?
Hurry! Go on!
You're a very stubborn man!
If you'd just confess, you wouldn't need to go through this ordeal.
I know that you were fomenting a...
...conspiracy by brainwashing those peasants.
A conspiracy? I've no idea what you're talking about.
You're attempting to brand me as a criminal...
...in order to advance your own interests!
Silence! You were using those clueless peasants as pawns...
...in your Imperialist schemes to take over the nation! Isn't that so?
The peasants are the treasures of our nation!
The nation would collapse without their hard labor.
I was only thinking of their welfare... and thus of the nation's welfare.
In my opinion, the Imperial Throne and the Shogunate don't matter anymore!
"The Imperial Throne and the Shogunate don't matter anymore?"
Were you not a samurai who at one time served the Shogunate?
Now we have undeniable proof that you've defamed the Shogunate!
If you won't confess of your own free will...
...then I will force one out of you!
Confess!
Confess, you peasant!
Shusui Sensei!
Confess!
Peasant!
Confess!
Have you no mouth?
Confess!
Why don't you sleep with me?
O- Shino...
I'll come up with the money to get you out of here, so please...
You don't give up, do you?
When will you... ever stop dreaming?
I'm for sale, so I get bought.
I'll sleep with any man.
A girl toy, you know?
Why are you looking at me like that?
Come on! Do me! Do me, I said!
O- Shino, no! Please! Won't you listen to what I have to say?
You're kidding me!
If you aren't gonna play with me, go home!
You're interrupting my work.
O- Shino!
Don't you understand what I'm trying to say?
I'm nothing now!
O- Shino!
Good evening.
Good evening!
Sensei...? Are you out, sir?
Zenpachi?
No one's home?
I'll have a cup of water.
Please! There's something I've got to talk to her about!
Well, she tells me she doesn't want to see you, sir.
Right now, it'd be best if you just go home, you know?
One shouldn't be insensitive when visiting a red light district, sir!
Until I see her again, I don't care what you say!
You don't give up, do ya?
I beg you! Tell O-Shino to come outside!
Quiet!
Go home before you get in trouble!
Damn you!
You bastard! You wanna fight?
She's gone!
Gone?
Yeah! Gone?
Fusajiro! Fusajiro!
What is it? Do you know how late it is?
Zenpachi's...
...h... hung himself!
Zenpachi...?
Good evening! Good evening!
"Merciful Buddha... "
Everyone, listen!
We can't let Zenpachi's death be for nothing!
Let's all join together...
...and save Ohara Sensei!
Yeah!
We've gotta! Yeah!
Hey! Hey! Hey! G... Guys!
Ic... Ichi's back!
Ichi...?
Yeah!
Wh... Where is he? Yeah!
Wh... Where is he? I dunno!
But it had to be Ichi!
Are you sure?
Yeah!
Fellows! Let's all go look for him!
All right!
Let's go!
Yeah! Let's go!
O- Shino!
It appears that an inconvenient person is returning to town...
I may have blundered in Kiryu, sir...
...but this time, all will be well.
Remember, that's the reason I gave you your post.
Sir...
Well, have faith in me, sir! We're only dealing with an...
He is but a blind man!
Boss...
What do you want?
That Ichi guy is here, sir. What do you want?
What? Ichi...?
Ah, at last he's crawled back here.
Yes sir. Boss, he says he wants to talk to you at once.
Oh? What luck! He's saved me the trouble of finding him!
Well, sir, if you'll excuse me...
You called, sir?
Oh, my clerk friend.
Yes sir. Oh, my clerk friend.
Send a messenger to Tougane at once: Ask Kansuke to come here.
You're requesting Chief Kansuke's presence, sir?
Yes, sir. I'll do that right away.
It looks like Asagoro's end is in the foreseeable future.
The sooner we arrange for his replacement, the better.
It's so nice of you to come, Ichi!
If you'd let me know in advance, I could've sent an escort!
Hello, sir! Well! Boss, it's been a while, sir!
You are more chivalrous than ever before, sir!
You're kidding me!
I'm the same old country gambler that I've always been!
Hey!
Why aren't you offering him sake or something?
Sir!
Ah! Your house is more elegant than before, sir!
It sure is nice! Just feel this new tatami!
Sounds like you have more men working for you as well.
All this and more. It's all because of you, Ichi!
You know, I didn't hear from you since last time, so I was...
...wondering about me, sir?
My goodness, sir! I appreciate your kind thoughts about a nobody like me!
Why! There's no need to act like we're strangers!
Coming here was definitely worth it, just to hear you being so happy.
As for me, I'm nothing like you, sir...
Still a traveler, always on the go.
How shameful it is!
Well, no news is good news!
We don't have much to offer on such short notice... Still... have a drink!
Oh, thank you, sir! Well, it's been a year since I've had a drink!
You're shaking...
I take it you got stiff shoulders, sir!
All right, sir. Allow me to give you a massage treatment.
Some bad blood is circulating...
Ow... Ow! Ichi!
People out there seem to be...
...spreading some silly rumors. My, oh, my!
What do you mean... by "rumors?"
Don't let this get to you, sir.
Shusui Sensei got thrown in a cell.
Well, it must be a false rumor... it's so silly...
I mean, as long as you, Boss, are around... you know...
...I'm thinking, something crazy like that simply couldn't happen!
The empathy of the blind...
...in me needed to find out straight from you, Boss...
...because I wanted to be sure, you see.
Well, my friend...
...did you find your answer you were looking for?
Well, how should I say it...?
Boss...
If you'd place your hand in mine...
Like this?
I can't hide anything from you, Ichi.
I'm sure that my hand feels different from before.
Well, I'm not lying or hiding things... The Deputy ordered me to do it!
I had no choice! After all, I'm an official!
Oh? You, Boss, have two occupations?
S... Surely you're joking!
Ichi... I'm sorry! I was thinking only of the good of the village...
...and the peasants. So I took the job, however reluctantly.
But what happened was that...
...I wasn't using my head! By the time I realized my mistake...
...I had no choice but to personally arrest Shusui Sensei! Understand, Ichi...
You've got to be kidding, sir.
Shusui Sensei, you see... is nothing like the wanted man that I am.
You aren't the only one who thinks so. I do, to, Ichi.
But you know... once you receive orders from the Kanto Deputy, that's that!
Sensei was... sent to a certain honorable person's house...
...and he will son be sent to Edo for official punishment.
Ichi! I...
...with my own hands...
...I've detached and thrown away my own free will!
I know it sounds crazy...
You idiots!
How dare you sneak up on him?
But I'm the one who should apologize.
Ichi... this is the key to the cell.
You idiots!
For being unable to guide you to your destination...
...please forgive me.
I almost forgot...
Your appreciation.
I valued it all this time, thinking of you.
Hey! Escort him out!
Yes sir!
Allow me to tie your shoes, sir.
Why, you are...
...the one who once served Tomizo. T... Tetsu, right?
Oh...?
Yes sir. I'm serving the Boss now, sir.
Oh...
It's gonna pour... Tetsu...
Would you lend me a cap, if you have one?
Please, take one.
You are a lucky man to have made an oath...
...to serve such a fine boss.
Dammit!
All right!
Tetsu! Go check him out!
Yes sir!
Ichi's lai techniques didn't stand a chance against a bullet!
Mister Scarecrow...
You saved my life!
Damn you!
You scumbag!
You bastard!
Bastard!
C'mon! Get up!
Damn it! Damn it, you!
Our Boss is back!
Isn't anybody here?
I'm back from Hell.
Because I wanted to settle things with you.
What do you mean? Settle what?
You heard me...
You sent your men down to Kiryu...
...determined my whereabouts, and then...
...even sent an assassin.
So, what do you say to that?
Damn you...
Damn you!
Go away! Go away!
Don't come any closer!
Go away!
Ichi! I'm unarmed!
It was either do what I did, or die. I had no choice.
H... Help me...
Don't come any closer!
Ichi...
How dare you slay me... when I'm unarmed...
Oh! Hey, guys! There's Ichi! It's Ichi!
Ichi!
Over here!
Ichi! They're sending our Sensei to Edo in a cage!
Don't worry! We maybe able to catch them, if we take a short cut!
Hey! Help, guys!
C'mon!
Clear the way! Clear the way!
Ichi!
Ready?
All right! We've gotta make a run for it!
All right!
Let's go for it!
Hurry!
"Ohara Shusui of Iwaimura Village in Shimosome. "
No!
Hey! Is he all right?
Hold him firmly, fellows! Hey! Is he all right?
All right!
Hurry! Hurry!
Kill them! Kill them!
Take that!
Get them from behind!
Attack from the other side!
Die, bastards! Die!
Die, you bags of shit!
Shit bags!
Ichi! Don't move!
If you do, Shusui is a dead man!
Sensei! Sensei!
Thank goodness!
Ichi...
We couldn't prevent the good earth from consuming blood!
B... But... the good earth you refer to can't...
...prosper without you, Sensei, or can it?
Please take care...
...of yourself, always.
Ichi!
Thank you!
Ichi!
The End