has anyone seen the japanese movies about a blind swordmen called Zatoichi?

[BooGiMaN]

i have been watching some movies about a blind swordman named Zatoichi on 'samurai saturdays' on one fo the satellite channels, and i had some questions if anyone knows about them.

Is he soem kind of japanese folk hero?
how many movies about him are there.
whats the back story on him

thanks for the help

 

[yukichigai]

Dunno much about Zatoichi, though I've watched several of his flicks. I believe there are at least 4 Zatoichi flicks. Not sure of much beyond that.

It's on Independant Film Channel innit?

 

[DaveSimmons]

www.animeigo.com and imdb.com should have some material on him. There are much more than 4 movies.

If you like Zatoichi you really should rent Yojimbo and The Seven Samurai, both are available at netflix.

 

[isaacmacdonald]

zatoichi owns.

 

[Greyd]

Who he is

Movies

Ive only watched a couple - but I liked them alot.

 

[isaacmacdonald]

I don't think he's a particular "folk hero" but he is the typical japanese samurai loner that goes against all odds. See also: shogun assassin.

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: Greyd
Who he is

Movies

Ive only watched a couple - but I liked them alot.

Oy vey, I count 17 movies in the VHS section. I guess he's very popular.

 

[BooGiMaN]

Originally posted by: yukichigai
Dunno much about Zatoichi, though I've watched several of his flicks. I believe there are at least 4 Zatoichi flicks. Not sure of much beyond that.

It's on Independant Film Channel innit?

Yes i believe its IFC, i think the movies are pretty good

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: isaacmacdonald
I don't think he's a particular "folk hero" but he is the typical japanese samurai loner that goes against all odds. See also: shogun assassin.

except don't see it as the butchered Shogun Assassin, see it as the original Sword of Vengeance
IMDB and its sequels. SoV aka Wolf With Cub is definitely another samurai classic (except the last few which got a little absurd)

 

[blackdogdeek]

i've watched a couple of them on saturdays on IFC(samurai saturdays). they're especially good because you can turn the volume down and just read the subtitles which comes in handy when trying to put a baby to sleep.