Original subtitles

A DAIEI CO. LTD. PRODUCTION

ZATOICHI THE FUGITIVE

Produced by IKUO KUBODERA

Original Story by KAN SHIMOZAWA Screenplay by SEIJI HOSHIKAWA

Cinematography by CHIKASHI MAKIURA

Art Direction by SEIICHI OTA

Original Music by AKIRA IFUKUBE

Edited by HIROSHI YAMADA

Starring:

SHINTARO KATSU

MIWA TAKADA, MASAYO BANRI

JUNICHIRO NARITA, KATSUHIKO KOBAYASHI, JUTARO HOJO

HIROSHI NAWA, TORU ABE

Directed by TOKUZO TANAKA

Go, go, quickly!

Anyone else want to play?

Anyone want to be fifth?

No one? Then the prize money is mine!

Hey, he's blind.

Go, blind man, go for it!

Blind man, hold on!

Five men down!

That's good.

- What are you doing? - Are you Zatoichi?

What? Who are you?

Never mind. I'm going to kill you.

Cut it out!

Don't move or I'll get angry.

What can you do? You're blind!

Drop dead, blind man!

Now you've made me angry.

Shut up, blind man!

You're not that skillful.

Why did you try to kill me?

Explain.

I said explain!

Mother -

What?

I can't see.

Everything is black.

Damn it.

I'm in pain. It hurts.

Explain it to me. Explain!

Why did you want to kill me?

I wanted the ten ryo

offered on your head.

Ten ryo on my head -

Who's paying this money?

Just tell me your name. What is your name?

Kisuke Monju.

Where does your mother live?

My mother

is nothing but a yakuza.

Mother!

Where does she live?

Boss Ogishi has arrived.

Excuse us.

Welcome.

Boss Ogishi!

If it isn't the spirited grandma with a headband.

Welcome.

What's taking you so long? Bring us something to drink.

It's livelier than a festival here.

Boss Ogishi, thank you for coming.

Sakichi, in weather like this, I'm glad to see the place is busy.

Yagiri, Tamamura, you're all here.

The festival is the only time we meet.

That's true.

What do you want?

I came to see the mother of Kisuke Monju.

Kisuke?

That fool's bringing me trouble.

So, you are his mother?

Yes. What has he done now?

What is it? You're scaring me!

Please pardon me. I have killed him.

You have killed Kisuke?

Yes.

- Really? - Yes.

Kisuke is dead?

Yes.

Coming here under your own name shows

that you're not a villain.

What I'd like to know is,

did you two fight with dignity?

Yes, it was a fair fight according to the code.

That's all I wanted to hear.

I brought this from Kisuke.

There are 10 ryo in there.

He asked me to give it to you

as pocket money instead of a souvenir.

That's what he told me.

He was a bad son.

I knew this would happen one day,

leaving your mother like this.

This is your punishment.

But I'm not going to mourn you.

To live as a yakuza does, you must be ready to die.

You must have done something good

to not die on the roadside.

Ichi, have you forgotten my voice?

You're Tokuro Yagiri.

I'll have my revenge.

It was not my fault. Wait.

Wait.

It's you, isn't it, who put money on my head?

Wait, you bastards!

If you make such a commotion, you will wake the dead.

Wait!

Boss Yagiri, if it's to avenge Kisuke, stop.

This man has a pure heart,

and Kisuke should be happy to have been killed by such a man.

What's so great about being killed by a blind man?

He's Zatoichi, a brutal criminal.

Boss Yagiri, you are a guest of Shimonida now.

The decision whether or not to kill me

should come from Shimonida's heir.

Today is the first day of the festival.

I don't want trouble on a day many people have waited for.

That's true.

Are you going to let him go?

We should follow him. - Why?

It's unthinkable that the Shimonida family will let Ichi go unharmed.

When the time comes, I'll act.

I will pay 20 ryo to anyone who kills this bastard.

I'm so hungry.

OBATA INN

- Are the rice cakes ready? - A little more patience.

Onobu.

Who's that dirty looking man?

A customer. He's funny.

He came in, sat down, and just said, "Food please."

- Isn't he just a beggar? - He said he can pay for the night.

Well, he can give a good back massage.

Let him stay.

The food is ready.

Thank you.

Please bring me tea.

Thank you.

Masseur, here's your tea.

Thank you.

- Here you go. - Thank you.

Sister, don't look at me while I'm eating.

It's not a pretty sight.

Your face is so dirty. It's black with dirt and sweat.

But you are a good-looking man. What a waste.

You're a pretty woman yourself.

You're kidding me.

What are you doing? Hurry up and bring it!

Do you need anything?

Oh, I see. It's Master Tanakura.

Hey, quickly,

take a few bottles of sake up to the second floor.

Madame, please ask for anything

for such an important guest who came here at our request.

Father, I need some help with the flower cards.

I'm coming. Excuse me.

Sister, I'd like to do some laundry.

Where's the sake? Where is it?

I'm asking you where it is.

Yes, the maid is bringing it now.

Open up there. It's too hot.

The masseur is staying here, but what do you want from him?

Stop complaining. Get him out here.

We want a word with him, Onobu.

I don't know what it's about,

but it seems you're bullying a weak man.

Aren't you great?

What?

How dare you talk to the boss like that!

She's only Shimazo's daughter.

So what?

Onobu, you shouldn't be impolite.

Boss Sakichi, please don't be angry with her.

Father.

Shimazo, tell the masseur hiding in your place

to get out here before something happens to him.

Let him be the boss for a while.

Masseur, would you like to do the laundry? Come here.

- Thank you very much. - This way.

So much laundry has piled up. It must be smelly.

- Oh, stop it. - Excuse me, everyone.

- Ah, Yagiri. - Shimazo, you look well.

Isn't it dangerous for you to be seen here by the Shimonida family?

I'm cautious. My men are guarding the entrance.

You, make sure no member of the house comes here.

You have a guest called Tanakura who brought my letter?

He came with his wife three days ago

and is staying on the second floor.

He's a strong, muscular man but not very obedient.

Shimazo, there's a better way to kill the coward Sakichi.

- What do you mean? - Onobu.

Sakichi wants her for a wife.

I'll never marry Onobu to him.

- You'll pretend to give her - - No!

I won't use my daughter as a tool.

It's a man's fight.

If you feel so strongly about it.

Help me with one thing.

If Shimonida enters this territory, I'll give you my profits.

Help me.

This is why I came here. Leave it to me.

Please.

Ah, Master Tanakura.

Shimazo,

I hear Chuji Kunisada is coming for the celebration tonight.

- Chuji is coming? - Yes.

Sahei, Sakichi's father was a friend of Kunisada.

Let's wait until Chuji leaves to take care of Sakichi.

There's a plan for Master Tanakura to ruin the celebration tonight.

That's fine. By the way, is Zatoichi staying at your place?

Zatoichi?

The blind man who killed the yakuza brother Kisuke.

Oh, that masseur.

What do you say? You kill Zatoichi.

And I'll break Sakichi into pieces.

We'll be even.

It's here.

Thank you. You are the daughter.

- I'll hang it for you. - No thank you. I'll do it myself.

What's wrong?

I can do this myself.

It's my loincloth.

Your house was once a gambling place?

Yes, of yakuza,

but five years ago it was taken by Sakichi's father.

Instead of leaving the village, we're managing this inn.

I think it's best.

You love that heir of Shimonida.

Yes, I do.

But - - But what?

It will make Father miserable.

I'm an abandoned child.

Really.

Father found me and brought me up.

I don't know my real parents.

Really?

Father can't forget his old dream.

He still misses the gaudy life we had five years ago.

I see. Now I understand.

I have a feeling that something terrible is going to happen soon.

Father and Sakichi will kill each other.

What shall I do?

Everyone, allow me to congratulate you on this festive day.

Your hands, please.

Very well. Everybody.

Congratulations.

Please, help yourselves.

- Stop! - You bastard!

Who are you?

I see a nice sum of money is here.

I'll take it.

You're joking.

Who sent you?

You obviously don't look like a guest.

I was asked to come here.

I'm here on behalf of Special Officer Kuwayama

to attend to business.

You won't get away with this nonsense.

I'm not leaving empty-handed.

Let's hear how you are going to kill me

for ruining your celebration.

So, what will it be?

Or are you going to hand me the money?

Answer!

Excuse me, everyone.

Allow me to congratulate all of you today.

Ichi. How brave of you to come here.

Boss Yagiri, very pleased -

Next must be Boss Tamamura,

Boss Ogishi,

and Boss Sawagata.

Boss Tsumugi too. All together, very pleased.

I am Zatoichi, a yakuza masseur.

I'm glad to meet all of you.

Bastard! Behaving as our equal!

Excuse me.

It's a small sum,

but would someone hang it there?

TO SAKICHI SHIMONIDA THREE RYO

Ichi, you waltz in here feeling good.

You must know you won't leave here alive.

Nonsense. I don't mean to boast,

but I never make the first move.

Besides, one blind man fighting

against all the big bosses

has to be a world-class joke.

Bastard! Will you shut up?

Don't say that.

Today we're here to celebrate Boss Sakichi's succession.

Samurai, will you just keep your sword in its case?

You blind bastard, this is not your acting stage!

I'm talking to the samurai here.

How about this?

Maybe we can settle the matter with the dice.

Unless it's a problem for you.

Enough! I won't put up with this!

The blind guy is making a fool of us. I'm going to do him in too!

Wait, Boss Yagiri!

No, that's enough.

Sakichi! You can't handle it.

Wait, wait.

Samurai, what are you going to do?

Well -

If you interrupt, I'll use force too.

What are you going to do?

Everyone...

There will be a huge sum on his head.

Let's wait.

Don't be alarmed.

You defeated me just now. It was impressive.

It's Boss Kunisada.

Ah, Boss Kunisada.

- How are you? - I'm alive and kicking.

Where's the Sakichi boy?

He's still at the celebration.

But Boss, you shouldn't call him that.

He's a respectable boss now.

Yes, he is. You breast-fed him to become a great gambler.

By the way, Maki, any news of your own son?

Would you like to stay the night?

Would you - Welcome back.

Hey, is Zatoichi staying here?

Zatoichi?

What's going on?

If you mean the masseur, he's here.

Are you him?

What about him?

I just heard at the tavern.

Everyone's talking about his amazing sword drawing

in front of all the bosses!

Sword drawing?

This is no ordinary masseur.

His sword drawing is amazing.

Better than me?

I never lose! - Listen to this story.

Three years ago,

in a big fight near Sasagawa river,

he knocked down a famous swordsman in one blow.

His sword is shiny and ice-cold,

the only thing it won't cut in this whole wide world,

is oil and the bond of lovers.

What I just heard in the tavern, Zatoichi's tale!

Otane, is it you?

It's been a long time.

You are now with that samurai on the second floor?

Yes. I've changed.

I'm a very different woman now.

That's not true.

In my mind, I see only a beautiful Otane.

I don't know which is better, to see or not to see.

You thought I was married to a carpenter, didn't you?

Yes, that's what I thought.

A lot has happened since then.

Being a woman is serious business.

Once you stop trusting men,

you're like a kite with a broken thread

blowing in the wind, from one man to another.

This one is called Gajuro Tanakura.

The strong samurai.

How do you know?

He isn't liked by others.

Maybe it's destiny between men and women.

We've both done some bad things to make a living.

Well -

Life's dirt sticks to everyone.

To me,

you're the same old Otane.

Master Ichi, you say such cruel things.

What?

I'm glad you lost your eyesight.

So you can't see what I've become.

I wish I hadn't seen you.

Hold me. Make love to me.

Good morning.

Let me guess what you're praying for.

Don't joke with me.

Your father was a good man.

Being a fugitive, I can't give you any support.

But try to be a good successor.

Yes.

You are Master Ichi from Kasama?

Who is that?

It's me.

Boss Kunisada!

It's been so long. I hear you're a busy person.

There's a price on my head too.

It's a different head than mine.

Neither of us shall live long, but let's live well while we're alive.

See you.

I hope to see you again.

Let's part here.

Take care.

Keep your chin up.

Will you tell your father

to forget the circumstances and stop the useless fighting.

It's no use.

As long as you hold the territory, Father won't listen.

This was the house I lived in.

I'm sorry. I forgot you can't see it.

Nobody lives here now.

Come, I'd like to go inside.

It's cool in here.

There was a time more than 30 people stayed here.

So, travelers from all over used to gather here?

Gossip travels fast.

They say that Shimazo wears the mask of an honest man now

running an inn,

but he is not the kind of man who will settle for that.

Onobu,

can I help with something?

It has nothing to do with you.

Why are you laughing?

I once knew a woman like you.

What was she like?

Like a blooming white flower.

It's embarrassing to say, but I was so drawn to her.

But I'm a yakuza,

so she married a carpenter.

I hope she's happy now.

What are you doing here, listening?

You coward!

- I wanted to hear this from you. - What?

Do you love me or not?

So, will you come into my family?

No, you won't!

Onobu!

Sakichi!

Leave her alone.

It's no use chasing her now.

A pond.

I used to play with boats by the pond as a child.

Sakichi, do you like fishing?

I was a weak child.

Maki had trouble bringing me up,

and my father had trouble making me an heir.

Nothing can be done about being born weak.

In this type of business, a boss is a good occupation.

There's nothing as easy.

That is, if there wasn't the fight for territory.

Sakichi, if you love Onobu, you must speak for her.

Whatever there is to say,

there are people around us trying to upset things.

Yakuza honor or not,

everybody is blackhearted.

If you understand this, you are great.

Good evening.

Boss, you've come to visit. Thank you for your trouble.

Ladies! Where are you going?

What do you want?

Seiroku! Kikuzo!

- Zatoichi! - Good evening, Boss Sakichi.

It's such a lonely evening.

You shouldn't go there. - Why?

Never mind. Just stay near me.

I drank so much tonight, and I feel good.

Let's go here.

Zato, Zato

That's what people call me

There's nothing I can do

A masseur earns only a few bucks

It smells like blood, doesn't it?

Boss, where are your men?

They disappeared.

They're no good. Probably dead by now.

- What? - The rival is Tokuro Yagiri.

Yagiri? Impossible.

It's true.

I can't tell you the names of those plotting with Yagiri just now,

but whatever happens, don't pull out your dagger.

If you do, there'll be trouble.

Let's leave this for Yagiri and me.

Come on out, you rats!

Good! Attack him!

Master Tanakura, help me! Master!

- No! - Don't be stupid!

I wounded him. We're even.

Stop joking!

One day I'll kill him.

One day!

Remember this, bastard!

Sakichi.

- What? Killed by Zatoichi? - I'm ashamed.

- And Shimonida's men? - They're dead too.

The coward is Sakichi.

His men were being killed, but he just stood by watching.

He didn't even take out his sword.

Damn it, what a mess.

Zatoichi or not, we're being mocked by a blind man.

It's ruining the reputation of the whole Joshu yakuza.

Sawagata, Tsumugi. We cannot keep silent.

I knew this would happen.

The blind man will not leave Shimonida's territory alive.

- Good. - Wait.

What is it, Sawagata?

He should die,

but we should give Sakichi the first chance, no?

Yes, that's true.

I aimed at Zatoichi and gave a sudden blow.

I couldn't hold my grudge anymore.

I heard you didn't even draw your sword.

That's amoral.

Anyway, we shouldn't let the blind man get away.

It's as Ogishi says.

Sakichi, you said very clearly

that the one to settle any incident on your ground is you.

But if nothing's settled,

you're not fit to be Shimonida's boss.

You have till today, or we'll take your territory.

Bear that in mind.

Sakichi!

What are you going to do?

Can you do him in?

I can, and I need no help.

Really? We'll see.

Don't make a laughingstock of us.

Boss.

Maki, there you are.

Are you really going to do it?

Remember, your rival is Zatoichi.

Take him from the front.

Maki.

Yagiri is the one who's really aiming at me.

What?

His real intention is to take over the territory.

He cornered me this way just for that.

But it's no use talking about it.

I don't have a shred of evidence.

What will you do?

Whatever I do, I must find a way out of this.

The burden of the Shimonida family is on my shoulders.

A weakling has his territory taken away,

that's the code of the yakuza.

I must do whatever it takes.

Ah, Maki.

Onobu, thank you.

I must talk to him in private.

Master Zatoichi.

I beg you,

leave here quietly.

Are you saying I should run away?

Tonight. Right now.

I'm sure you've already guessed. That's why I came to ask you.

Wherever I go, I'm the god of calamity.

Be the god of mercy and leave.

It still won't end it.

If only you were gone,

the trouble wouldn't grow any bigger.

Your dedication is good, but even you can't end this.

What do you mean?

Sakichi, Shimazo, Tokuro Yagiri,

and the samurai.

You cannot bundle them all up together with a headband.

Fine. If you want to stay, then stay.

Until you die, that is.

Kisuke died by your hand,

and Boss Sakichi, who's like a son to me,

is in big trouble because of you.

In this business, that's natural.

But, Master Ichi, I'm too old.

Well -

That's fine. I won't ask you again.

Do as you like.

But be careful.

Take care on the way home. It's dark.

Otane didn't tell you either?

No.

Why did she leave so suddenly?

And that samurai too.

Tell me.

I don't know.

It's best.

No doubt it was Otane's doing that the samurai left.

I don't understand.

Leave it at that.

- What do you mean? - It's better you don't understand.

Your heart is too clean.

I'm a grown-up, you know.

I mean standing by the one you love no matter what.

Yes, I'll do that.

Master Ichi, are you leaving?

- After my talk. - Your talk?

Zatoichi!

You've caused all this trouble, and now you think you can leave.

You're not leaving until you settle things with Sakichi!

Father!

- Don't be silly. - What?

- The seeing shouldn't be greedy. - How dare you!

The world is endless.

You have a fine daughter, and you live off such a great inn.

It's paradise.

- Good-bye. - You bastard!

Father!

You resent a blind man preaching to you.

I can do that because I'm blind.

If you love your daughter, you must forget your old dream.

Is Zatoichi here?

There's trouble!

Sakichi, what's wrong?

You know a woman called Otane?

Otane? What happened to her?

She's been caught by Yagiri.

They're using her as a decoy to lure the samurai to their side.

Where is it?

Master!

Onobu is gone!

Master Ichi!

Good work.

So that's what it is.

The trap is for me.

Otane, are you with them too?

No, no!

Why are you doing this?

Ichi, be happy.

The price on your head is up to 300 ryo.

The one who offered the prize is Sakichi here.

300!

Boss Sakichi,

I'm flattered that you put 300 on my head.

Give it a try then!

It bothers me that you're alive.

Understand?

Wait!

- Watch out! - Master Ichi!

Onobu, don't come near.

You coward! He saved your life!

I wish I was dead.

I shouldn't have been born a yakuza heir!

Idiot!

Let's see you go out there. Yagiri will kill you.

Idiots! You are no match for Zatoichi.

I will kill him!

Master Tanakura, don't interrupt.

You're the one interrupting.

I'm taking the 300!

Stop. Please, stop!

Please, stop.

Okay, do it if you can. I'll stand here and watch.

Idiots.

Tokuro, wait, please. I'll give up the fight for territory.

Just give me back my daughter.

Onobu.

Shimazo, what are you saying? Are you out of your mind?

I don't need the territory anymore!

Give her back! Give my Onobu back!

Onobu!

Give her back!

- No, don't go there. - Let me go!

- Father! - No!

Is there anyone here who can handle a rifle?

I can.

I was a hunter. I never missed a shot.

Don't come near!

Sakichi, kill Ichi. If not, you lose your territory!

Fool! You still call yourself the boss to the Shimonida family?

- Master Ichi! - I'm fine.

Come, come.

- I'll give you water. - Water.

It's no use. This well is dry.

Idiot, idiot, idiot!

Stop it.

Please, stop.

Trapping a man like that.

No one can kill him but me. Understand?

- It'll be you who dies. - What?

You've fallen back in love with Ichi? That's fine with me.

No!

See the blood that flows out of his neck after I cut it!

That neck is worth 300 ryo, and I'll get it.

For God's sake, please don't!

I'll never leave you.

That's why I don't want you to get killed.

Please, please.

Please.

Onobu, what happened?

Master Ichi!

What did you see?

What?

That woman. The samurai killed her!

Otane - by that good for nothing bastard?

Coward!

At last it's just the two of us.

Why did you kill Otane?

She died by my hands with tears of joy in her eyes.

Poor thing.

To be killed by someone like you.

Ichi! Come!

So, this is it.

Stand up!

Ichi, are you still here?

You don't know

who Otane really was.

You just have a pleasant memory of her.

When she found out

about the price on your head,

she was the one

to set the trap for you.

That's a lie.

You're just trying to kill my memory of her.

Does the truth scare you?

Women don't stay 17 years old forever.

Ichi, you deserved this.

Otane was a beautiful person.

Master Ichi, forgive me. I wasn't a man.

Master Ichi, what can we say?

It's already in the past.

Where are you going now?

A wanderer and a criminal should keep away from the law.

Good-bye.

Maki, what are you doing? Stand up please.

Master Ichi,

the money you said Kisuke sent me as pocket money instead of a souvenir,

that was your money, wasn't it?

It was really from Kisuke.

It's okay. I know.

When I look at you now, how I wish you were my son.

What are you saying?

I'm nothing but a blind yakuza criminal.

And you wish I were -

Mother.

Good luck, you two.

- Thank you. - Master Ichi.

Master Ichi!

Well, farewell.

THE END