Zatoichi

Zatoichi (座頭市 Zatōichi) is a fictional character featured in one of Japan's longest running series of films and a television series set in the Edo period. The enduring popularity of the character has been likened to that of James Bond in Western countries. However, Zatoichi has become almost synonymous with one actor: Shintaro Katsu. The only other actor to portray Zatoichi on film is Takeshi Kitano, after a hiatus of almost 15 years.

Related Topics:
Fictional character - Japan's - Film - Television series - Edo period - James Bond - Western countries - Actor - Shintaro Katsu - Takeshi Kitano

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Zatoichi is seemingly only a harmless blind masseur who wanders around the country making his living by gambling, however, he is also highly skilled in swordsmanship, specifically iaijutsu, his sword concealed within his cane. Cane swords, or shikomizue, were generally straight, lower-quality blades, which stood no comparison with regular katanas, but as revealed in Zatoichi's Cane Sword, his weapon was created by a master swordsmith. A recurring theme of both the films and television series episodes concerns Zatoichi protecting the innocent from oppressive warring clans.

Related Topics:
Blind - Masseur - Gambling - Swordsmanship - Iaijutsu - Cane - Shikomizue - Katana - Swordsmith - Clans

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The character's name is actually Ichi. Zatō is a title, the lowest of the four official ranks within the Tōdō-za, the traditional guild for the blind, which was abolished in 1871. The three other ranks, in ascending order, were kōtō, bettō, and kengyō. Ichi is therefore properly called Zatō-no-Ichi ("Low-Ranking Blind Person Ichi", approximately), or Zatōichi for short. Giving massages was a traditional occupation for the blind.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~