Shin Zatôichi monogatari

Usually long film series see a gradual development or deconstruction of the main character simply because either the character changes or the environment does. Most often our heroes are marched through various situations, numerous more often than not, and only when the ticket sales start to diminish there's usually a twist in the hero's personality or identity.

There's a third way, too. It has to do with the filmic problem of presentation, and usually this happens when the film is made during a historically significant technological paradigm shift. Sound was one, and nowadays it's most likely 3D, although more because of the commercial powers behind the technology. In the 1960s it was colour.

With Zatōichi its introduction in this third film becomes deliciously ironic, since in the first two films there have been several japes different people play on Ichi because he's blind. In those moments we, the audience, have been able to see it with them, making us part of the bad guys' gang as well. This cinematically fruitful branch of narrative play extends here to the very form of the film itself – its colour.

As a colour film this a very beautiful one. It's more inclined towards the subdued than the showy, and that's commendable. It's also more interested in characterization, really casting the second film in more realistic light as an afterthought. What's so striking is that while it's customary to have the hero denounce his craft and want to lead a normal life, it's usually fluff that lasts only a while. Not so here: Ichi really wants to quit, and promises to. It's made feasible, it makes sense. It feels like the right thing to do. But still we know that won't happen, that the torment will continue, and in part that's why we cheer for Ichi, that he might go on. They manage to make Ichi's torment our own. It really is expertly handled.

Among the best in the series so far.

Daiei's logo is impressively shown for the first time in colour, in this, the third Zatoichi adventure, released only five months after the second film, and eleven months after the original.

Well photographed in full colour, it's another beautiful looking film, and the director, and cinematographer, both know how to effectively use bright, vivid colours, contrasted with subdued tones, as the second film's villain's brother tries to avenge his death, while Ichi is dealing with a ruthless gang of thugs, but I must admit that I did prefer the monochromatic photography of the first two installments.

The following review is an extract from the book "Shintaro Katsu´s Zatoichi: Complete guide to all movies", which is now available on Amazon.

In this third part of the Zatoichi saga, the protagonist (played by Shintaro Katsu) wants to change some things of his past, leave behind the Yakuza and correct his mistakes, returning to the town where he grew up. On the way he meets a former schoolmate, who acts as a musician singing and playing the shamisen. His childhood friend is with his wife and young son. The four stay in an inn for the night, and as Ichi sings a song with the shamisen, the place is assaulted by a gang of hooded thieves. So as not to endanger his friends and other guests, Zatoichi does not resist for the time being, and prefers the criminals to believe that he is nothing more than a poor, blind masseur (when in reality he is a prodigious swordsman, even though he lacks a sense of vision).

(...)

The third part of the Zatoichi saga has a slight philosophical background that is somewhat reminiscent of Taoism (the action of non-doing, or wu-wei). Zatoichi's apparent passivity towards Kanbei's brother, who wants revenge, provokes new reactions and events. The attitude of the protagonist is to renounce his past life and become a new man by returning to the origins, to the village where he grew up. There he will discover with disappointment that the one who trained him in the arts of fencing, the one to whom he owes his knowledge in the handling of the sword, far from being a venerable master, is actually a despot who does not hesitate to mercilessly murder unarmed people and in inferior conditions, either as a consequence of his uncontrollable anger or simply for money and material goods, in cold blood. Much more noble and honorable is the young yakuza. After verifying this, Zatoichi decides to continue his wandering life, renounces family and marriage and continues on his way with the firm intention of never returning to his village.

This is more boring and more predictable than the other Zatoichi movies I've seen so far. And, I only mean the ones with Shintarô Katsu, excluding the one with Takeshi Kitano. However, it has some good moments, still worth seeing. Mikiko Tsubouchi is not as beautiful as the actresses in other Zatoichi movies, but she has her own charm.

I recently rewatched The New Tale of Zatoichi (1963) on a random streaming service. The storyline follows Zatoichi as he returns home seeking peace. However, he finds anything but-his hometown is threatened by a local mob, the brother of a man he killed is tracking him down, and two women fall in love with him. Can Zatoichi save himself and his townspeople from these challenges?

Directed by Tokuzô Tanaka (The Haunted Castle), the film stars Shintarô Katsu (*Hanzo the Razor), Mikiko Tsubouchi (Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters), Seizaburô Kawazu (Yojimbo), and Fujio Suga (The Master Spearman).

Shintarô Katsu is fantastic in all of these movies, but it's especially fun to watch a younger depiction of his character. Zatoichi is an easy character to root for-always noble and righteous. I always hope he'll get the girl in the end, even when you know how things are likely to conclude. The female lead in this film is both compelling and complex, making her someone you can root for and against. The overall storyline is intricate, well-written, and a pleasure to watch unfold. The choreography is top-notch, with a thrilling opening fight at a bar, a dynamic battle when he first arrives in town, and a final samurai showdown that could go either way. There's a lot to appreciate here.

In conclusion, The New Tale of Zatoichi is another worthwhile entry in this series and an absolute must-see. I would score it a 7.5/10 and strongly recommend it.