This is the first Zatoichi movie to be shot in colour.
Banno (portrayed by Seizaburô Kawazu) is seen carrying two blades throughout the film. This was a samurai practice known as daisho - which literally translates as 'big-little'. The long sword which he carries is a katana. Katanas were used by samurai for duelling and combat. The shorter blade is a wakizashi. Wakizashi were shirt swords which would most commonly be associated with performing seppuku.
This is the third of 26 films to star Shintarô Katsu as Zatoichi.
Zatoichi's katana is a shikomizue. This is a sword which is concealed within a wooden cane, thus the cane itself is both handle and scabbard.
While Zatoichi is repeatedly referred to as a masseur in the English subtitles, the Japanese term Anma would be more correct. Anma was both the term used for the practice and generally nomadic practitioner of Japanese massage. In fact, edicts were passed so that massage was solely a vocation for the blind, forbidden to be learned by any with sight.