Zatoichi

Zatoichi, the blind sword fighter, has long been one of Kitano’s favourites. Almost 10 years after a brief reference to the Zatoichi legend in his film Getting Any? and even longer since he imitated Zatoichi in his stand-up comedy act, Kitano now really takes up the famous sword of the blind avenger. Kitano’s Zatoichi (played by his acting persona Beat Takeshi) has a fashionable platinum blond hairstyle and may be a little cooler than the traditional everyman’s friend, but apart from that, Kitano sticks to the laws of the Zatoichi genre. The blind Zatoichi tracks through 19th-century Japan and earns his living playing dice and giving massages. Behind this façade is a master sword fighter who battles for justice. In a remote mountain village, the people are terrorised by the Ginzo gang. Led by the merciless Ginzo, samurai Hattori (Asano Tadanobu) is quick to clear away troublesome opponents, and they include our hero. In a gambling hall, Zatoichi meets two cunning geisha sisters, Okinu and Osei. They have come to town to avenge the death of their parents. Right up to the very infectious finale, rhythm is an important factor in camerawork, cutting and music. Kitano’s first costume film is guaranteed to be a favourite among audiences and has few hidden agendas. `In Zatoichi, what you see is what you get’, says Kitano himself.