Original subtitles

A DAIEI CO LTD PRODUCTION

THE TALE OF ZATOICHI CONTINUES

Produced by IKUO KUBODERA

Original Story by KAN SHIMOZAWA Screenplay by MINORU INUZUKA

Cinematography by SHOZO HONDA Art Direction by SEIICHI OTA

Original Music by ICHIRO SAITO Edited by TAKASHI TANIGUCHI

Starring:

SHINTARO KATSU, KENZABURO JO

YOSHIE MIZUTANI, MASAYO BANRI

YUTAKA NAKAMURA, EIJIRO YANAGI

Directed by KAZUO MORI

You in the boat, wait!

We're in a hurry Everyone out!

Come on, out! - I'll be right back Please wait

We can't wait

That's why I want everyone out!

Let's go

This is unfair

What? You have something to say to me?

Boatman, hurry up

I don't know who these roughnecks are,

but I've got to get to work too

That's right

Come on Let's go

Who is this fellow?

Blind man, you get out too

I'm talking to you

Why are you still here?

- Are we there? - Idiot!

Please, don't be so rough

We don't need a priest here Let me help you out

What's the matter?

What happened?

- He cut my face - Who did?

- That blind rat! - Him?

How could he have done that?

Hold on till we get to shore

Your sword is missing

- What a nuisance! - Damn it!

Are you all right?

It hurts

- I've got it! He must be Zatoichi - Zatoichi?

Haven't you heard about the masseur

who is a skilled swordsman?

In the war between Iioka and Sasagawa,

he killed a renowned samurai

They say he won the war single-handedly

That man?

That's right He must be Zatoichi

No wonder he was so quick with the sword

It was like lightning

Master swordsman or not, we still outnumber him

Are we such cowards that we can't take care of a single blind man?

Are you saying we should go after him?

He can't be that fearsome Let's go

He must still be nearby Let's find him

Let's go!

There he is

Your name is Zatoichi, isn't it?

It's beneath us to come after a blind man,

but it's another story if you're really Zatoichi

That was a clever trick you played earlier

We're here to settle the score

Get up!

Let's see your sword work

- You dare interfere with us? - Let's take care of this fellow first

What's wrong?

Masseur,

when you're finished there, could you come in?

I'm almost done

Thank you for waiting

Sorry to keep you waiting

Watch your step

- Where did you find him? - He's a traveling masseur

Thank you

He's filthy

- Shall I give him a bath first? - Do that

Masseur,

the man you are about to massage is in fact a lord

returning to his home province from Edo

We will tip you well, so take care to be courteous

But why is a traveling masseur like me

called to render service to such a lord?

I don't know,

but it is a great honor for you, so do your work with extra care

I will Thank you

Sir, where are you headed with your entourage?

Did I tickle you?

You must be tired from your long journey

Let me work on this

Hey! That's ??

What are you ??

Sir ??

I'm ticklish too

It's getting warm in here I'll just take this off

I've never had a customer like you

Please lie still for a moment

I've never met a customer like this one

How is that?

This is unbelievable

This way

Thank you very much

The lane is a little uneven I'll walk with you a little way

Thank you for your trouble

Be careful

Thank you very much for walking with me

There are inns nearby I'll take you to one

- No, I'll be all right - Are you sure?

- Yes, I'll be fine - Take care

Surely you men are not thieves

Is there something you want from me?

You must be samurai No doubt you're staying at the inn ??

It's dangerous to draw your sword

You know the saying about a knife in a madman's hand

Just because your master is crazy

doesn't mean his retainers have to act like madmen too

Blind man, who are you?

- I'm just a masseur - You are no ordinary masseur

If I were, I would be dead by now

Our men were killed? How can that be?

It was just a blind man they went after

He was an unexpectedly skilled swordsman

- Impossible - He is no ordinary masseur

He's not a supernatural being!

How distressing our men could not even handle one blind man

I fear this blind masseur

will spread the word about our master's condition

If the rumor gets started and reaches as far as Edo,

it will be the end of the House of Kuroda

In Edo, our master's condition was kept carefully hidden,

even from his own retainers

All my efforts to conceal it will have been in vain if word gets out

That blind masseur!

We can't let him go free We must get rid of him tonight

Open up!

What a lousy night!

- Why are you here at this hour? - No customers

All three of you?

- They're searching all the inns - Searching the inns?

What a nuisance

- What are they looking for? - I have no idea

It's not the police carrying out the search

but the samurai staying at the inn

They're looking for a traveling masseur about 26 or 27 years old

Seems they intend to kill him if they find him

Old man, please serve these ladies some sake

It's on me

They've provided valuable information

I would like to thank them

Very well

Are you ??

Masseur, you shouldn't be here

You'll be killed if they find you

What did you do

to have so many people looking for a blind man like you?

You must have done something terrible

They'll be coming here too What are you going to do?

If they come, then that's that

There's no way a blind man could outrun them even if he tried

You're resigned to your fate

Aren't you afraid to die?

Where are you from?

Kasama in Joshu Province

Do you have a wife?

No woman would care to be burdened with a blind man like me

That's not true

My father was a masseur all his life,

yet he was married three times

He must have reached the highest rank in his art

He was just a traveling masseur till the day he died

Is that so?

I envy him

These days, an ordinary masseur doesn't attract women all that much

If you would like,

why don't you keep me company tonight?

There you go with your eccentric taste in men

It's not like that

What do you say? We'll have a long talk

You smell nice

- Just like her - Like who?

- Someone's coming! - It's the samurai looking for him

The kitchen is closed already

Come on, don't turn us away when we've just arrived

With the women here too, we've got everything we need

Don't worry They're not the samurai looking for you

Ladies, come and serve us sake

You're the last to get customers tonight

You know the saying: "last but not least"

- She looks just like her - Who?

She's a spitting image of Ochiyo

Who is Ochiyo?

A woman he was madly in love with

Him, madly in love?

Why don't you come over here too?

Come on

No

- What? - She said no Leave her alone

What's your name?

- Osetsu - How old are you?

Twenty-three

I'm buying your company tonight

- You can't - Why not?

I'm already spoken for

- You have a customer? - Yes

- Where is he? - That's not your concern

- Cancel him - It's none of your business

- What? - Be quiet

Are you saying you will not serve me?

Sorry

I see

But I will not let you go with another man tonight

Remember that

- Young lady who looks like Ochiyo - You mean me?

May I touch your face?

Very well

You do resemble her

I too loved a woman named Ochiyo

What happened to her?

When she realized I was blind,

she ran off with another man

What a cruel woman

She was the love of my life

But that other man stole her away from me

It drove me mad

That's why I went after him with my sword

Will you really spend the night with me?

Certainly

Then take me to a quiet place

where we won't be bothered by others

All right

Old man, here's money for my bill

- Your change ?? - Don't bother

- Buy the ladies another round - Thank you

Aren't you going to do anything? He's getting away

He's taking the woman with him too

Who's the owner here? Have you seen a traveling masseur?

About 26 or 27 years old, with a round face

No masseur came in here

If any of you sees him, notify us at our inn immediately

You will be amply rewarded

Yoshiro

BOSS KANBEI'S RESIDENCE

I've come from Kashiwaya Sorry to bother you at this late hour

I have an urgent message for Boss Kanbei

Please open the door

I feel like a different person

It was my pleasure

I heard that after we left, they searched all the inns again

But this time it was Boss Kanbei's men

Kanbei?

He's the boss in this town They call him Kanbei of Seki

I see

I thought it would all be over when the lord left

with his retinue this morning, but it's not

It's a foolish matter

If they had just asked me not to talk, I wouldn't have said a word

But instead they came after me with swords

You're right That's why I don't like samurai

Kanbei, thank you for waiting

Sir, I found out who the masseur is

I believe he is called Zatoichi

He is indeed a masseur, but he's also in my line of business

From what you have told me, I am positive it is him

I see

Now that we know who he is,

we may be able to take care of him sooner than expected

The sooner the better

Take these 25 gold coins for now

Thank you very much

After all, it's only a blind man we're dealing with

I will not disappoint you, sir, now that I'm in charge

But you must not breathe a word about being hired for the job

by the steward from the House of Kuroda

It must look like you acted on your own

The name of Kuroda must not be brought into this

Do you understand? - Perfectly

I feel as if we're married, being here with you like this

Here's your rice

This is a new experience for me

You are a strange woman

You know I'm not too happy just being a substitute for Ochiyo

You're not

I've forgotten about Ochiyo

She was a heartless woman

You mustn't dwell on her

It appears women named Ochiyo are very popular with men

The samurai at the sake house also said

he was in love with a woman named Ochiyo

I'm glad it's not him here with me right now

Say something

Or do you think I should have gone with that samurai?

That's enough about him

Where will you go now?

- To a place called Sasagawa - Sasagawa?

I must visit the Joshoji temple

Why don't you stay here one more day?

There can be unlucky spirits around a temple

Zatoichi, you found a nice place to hide with your whore

It wasn't easy finding you

We've come to take your life Come outside

You want my life Why is that?

Never mind why Come on!

You are Kanbei's men, aren't you?

That's right

Then you were hired for the job by the lord's samurai at the inn

Damn you!

You were paid to kill me

That's all right

I'll go outside as you wish

Ichi

It seems you were right:

Even talking about visiting a temple can bring bad luck

Take this

I don't want your money

No, listen

Give it to the owner of this house for letting us stay

Go and tell the others we found Zatoichi

Wait for me!

Ichi, what makes you so brave?

You know the saying: "A blind man does not fear snakes"

They are like snakes They will be back

I'd better not hang around any longer

Take the boat

You have a boat?

Go get the boat, quickly Understand?

Ichi

What is it?

Nothing

Go now

Thank you

BOSS SUKEGORO'S RESIDENCE

- Please come in - Thank you

Please, go on in

Looks like the boss isn't in We'll wait for him here

- Here you are - Thank you

How far is Sasagawa from Iioka?

About 14 miles

- Is the Joshoji temple there? - Yes

Yoshiro,

who is that pretty girl?

She's not bad

The boss is back!

Welcome back

- Do we have a visitor? - Boss Kanbei is here

He just arrived

- Is that fellow in? - Yes

Tell him to come to my room

Master, the boss wants to see you

- Is he back? - He just returned

Welcome back

Yoshiro,

aren't you hiding something from me?

What do you mean, hiding something?

Don't feign ignorance

You and your partner are wanted by the provincial governor

I hear you're in the robbery business now

You started out robbing a pawnshop in Hida

Since then you've gone from place to place,

stealing, killing and raping

You've turned into a horrible monster Isn't that so?

A "wanted" poster of you with a drawing of your face

and a list of your crimes has been posted in 14 counties

You disguised yourself as a samurai like an actor in a cheap comedy

in an attempt to evade the police

and cover up your true identity as a yakuza

The poster makes all that clear

So my luck ends here

Boss Sukegoro,

you're not going to turn me in, are you?

I wouldn't do something like that

I don't wish to appear inhospitable, but I want you to leave at once

Thank you for letting us stay Good-bye

Be careful

Send a reliable man to follow him

Let Matsugishi know about this right away too

I heard that Kanbei is here

What's the matter?

- Pack your things, quickly - Where are we going?

We're leaving

Why? You said we'd be staying another four or five days

I changed my mind

Get ready

I know Zatoichi

He stayed here for about ten days

Then maybe I shouldn't have come to you for help

It's all right

I have some business to settle with him myself

But don't underestimate him just because he's blind,

or you'll be sorry

I hear he's an awesome swordsman

Ten regular men don't stand a chance against him

His skill with a sword is extraordinary

Did you know that Zatoichi is coming to Sasagawa?

Really?

He's going to visit the Joshoji temple

He must plan to pay respects at that samurai's grave

- Which samurai? - The one he killed

The one called Miki Hirate who stayed with Shigezo?

Yes Ichi has returned a year later to pay his respects

That's what he said he would do when he left

Returning to pay respects at the grave of the man he killed

He's a strange one!

Yoshiro

- Hadn't we better say good-bye? - There's no time for that

They're after us We have to be on guard

Hello

Ichi!

It's been a while Is everyone well?

Please wait here a moment

Don't bother telling the boss I'm here

I was nearby and thought it would be rude not to say hello,

so I stopped in for a moment

You can tell your boss later

- Please wait - No, don't bother

I said not to bother

What? Ichi is here?

- Just as well - No, don't

I can't let you start trouble in my house

I'll take him outside

He's not the sort that can be handled easily

But it's odd

Is it possible

Ichi could be following you?

Impossible

I wouldn't put it past him

I'll go see him

He's not here

That's strange

Do you know the time?

It's around noon

I don't recognize your voice

What is your name?

- My name is Kanbei - We haven't met before, have we?

No, this is the first time

So I don't know you

But I've heard your name mentioned somewhere

The boss in that town is called Kanbei

That name sets me on edge

Ichi, I thought you'd already left

I stayed in this room last year,

so I have a fondness for it and just wandered in

The boss wants to see you

Why did you tell him I was here?

I told you to give him the message after I'd gone

If he sees me,

he will have to thank me in front of all of you

I don't want to put him in that position

I'd better leave before he shows up

Kanbei

Don't be so hasty

We know he is going to the Joshoji temple in Sasagawa

- He won't get away - But I think he suspects who I am

All the more reason not to rush things

It's so quiet here.

Miki Hirate.

I've never known such a skilled swordsman.

We fished here together and drank sake together too.

He spoke with feeling about the fleeting nature of life.

He was truly an admirable samurai.

Yet it was I who killed him.

Until I felt the sword penetrate his body,

I never even imagined I could kill him.

For the sake of a meaningless war between yakuza clans,

I lost a man it took me forever to find:

a man I could call a friend.

It has been a year since then.

And then there's Otane.

I wonder what has become of her.

She is another one I cannot forget.

I didn't fully understand

when Otane said she wanted to marry me.

It took me by surprise.

What happened with Ochiyo was a shock too.

After saying she would be my wife,

she ran off with the man she despised more than anyone.

I thought my whole world had gone dark.

Of course, it ought to have gone dark:

I was already blind by then.

Stay inside!

What's the matter?

I'm tailing those two

They're wanted for horrible crimes

- Both of them? - That's right

By the way, Otane, I heard you're going to marry a carpenter

- Who told you that? - That doesn't matter Is it true?

Never mind Go now, or you'll lose sight of them

I want to know whether it's true or not

- It's true - Good for you!

We have to get out of Shimosa

Whatever we do, we'll need money

We can't go anywhere without money

We're just out of luck

Even so, we've never been this low on cash

That dog Sukegoro

couldn't spare a penny for the road

Let's rob a place tonight

Fool!

Do that and you're just asking to get caught

What are we going to do? We'll starve to death

Maybe that thought wouldn't be so bad

What happened?

He followed us from Iioka

Was this Sukegoro's doing?

It's likely our escape route is closed off

Damn it!

Remember: There will be no gambling tonight

If customers come, apologize and ask them to leave

What's the matter?

We're helping the governor search for criminals

What criminals?

The ones who have been terrorizing the neighboring counties

There's also the matter with Zatoichi

You mean that blind man who came through here last year?

- That's right - What did he do?

I don't know, but we're going to kill him

Where is Ichi?

I heard he is going to the Joshoji temple in Sasagawa

Joshoji

Why are they going to kill Ichi?

He was such a great help to Iioka

Is there going to be a fight?

They're going to arrest the criminals

Well, that's none of my concern

My mother says Otane and I should get married this month

What do you think? I came to talk to you about it

Come inside

Hello, Otane

Otane!

This must be Yoshiro's work

- Who are those men? - Quiet!

Ichi!

Have you come to warn me?

Yes!

Thank you

This is Master Hirate's grave

Young priest,

give this to the head priest later

Tell him it's for the memorial service

My hat

I'll hold it for you

Zatoichi, you won't get away this time

We are on temple grounds Let's not start trouble

Let's move away from here

There are better places for this What do you say?

Fine with us

Are you men of Kanbei's clan?

I am Kanbei

So Boss Kanbei is here himself

You've come all this way just to kill Zatoichi

Someone must be paying you well

Quiet!

Yoshiro, there's that masseur

Yoshiro

Sukegoro's coming too

That bastard sold us out

You'd better get out of here

What? I'm not leaving without you

I'm telling you, go!

I won't Where can I go without money?

You fool!

Kanbei!

Is there no one left?

Remember I'm blind,

so you'll have to make the first move

Otherwise I can't tell if you're there

Let me kill Zatoichi

What are you saying?

Don't do it

We don't have time for this

You're acting crazy!

They're nearly here

Ichi,

it's been a long time

It has indeed

They're coming!

We've got to get out of here!

They're almost here!

I'm leaving!

Elder brother,

do you really hate me so much?

Yes, I do!

I'm going to kill you!

You made me the cripple that I am now

You ruined my life!

What happened to Ochiyo?

She's dead

Dead?

My brother,

first you steal Ochiyo from me,

and now you want to take my life?

Quiet!

I killed her

I killed Ochiyo

They're here

What's wrong?

If I'm caught, I'll be put to death

Put to death?

Brother, what did you do?

What have you done? - Never mind!

Ichi,

finish me off!

Yoshiro of Nagisa, you are under arrest

Don't move

Anyone who interferes will be arrested as well

Come on if you dare!

Search the other bank Don't let them get away

Master Ichi

Is that you, young priest?

- I brought the medicine - Thank you

What happened to Otane?

She said she had something to do and went home

She did?

She's going to be married

Otane is going to be married?

So she is to be somebody's wife

I'll treat your wound Just a minute

I don't know whom Otane is marrying

But knowing her,

I'm sure he's not a gambler or some good-for-nothing lout

I'm sure he will make her happy

I am very happy for her

Are they still looking for us?

It looks like they're leaving

They've probably given up

I'm sorry you always have to help me

Thank you

Brother, whenever I come to this place,

like last year and now again this year,

I get mixed up in unpleasant matters

But I've just heard some good news

Isn't it strange

that you and I ??

Brother?

You want some water?

That tastes good

Ichi

What is it?

Ochiyo is still alive

She is?

Where is she?

I don't know

She left me when I became a cripple

She ran away

They caused us a lot of trouble

But as long as Ichi is dead, that's all that counts, right?

Right

Why did Ichi jump into the river with Yoshiro?

A blind man's spite, no doubt

When his back is against the wall, he'll take anyone along with him

What a despicable wretch

It's a sad end for the awesome swordsman called Zatoichi

to float dead in the muddy river

Stupid bastard

Ichi!

Sukegoro

Zatoichi is not floating in the river

But how could you ??

The man you reported to the police, Yoshiro of Nagisa,

was my own brother

He died this morning

That makes two men who have died because of you

No, that's not true! Yoshiro was ??

You must die too

Die!

THE END