Original subtitles

A DAIEI CO LTD PRODUCTION

NEW TALE OF ZATOICHI

Produced by IKUO KUBODERA Original Story by KAN SHIMOZAWA

Screenplay by MINORU INUZUKA and KIKUO UMEBAYASHI

Cinematography by CHIKASHI MAKIURA

Art Direction by SEIICHI OTA

Original Music by AKIRA IFUKUBE

Edited by HIROSHI YAMADA

TSUCHIURA INN

Starring:

SHINTARO KATSU

MIKIKO TSUBOUCHI SEIZABURO KAWAZU

MIEKO KONDO CHITOSE MAKI

MATASABURO NIWA YUTAKA NAKAMURA, FUJIO SUGA

Directed by TOKUZO TANAKA

Sister, more tea please

That's Zatoichi, the masseur who killed Kanbei

Everyone in Sekiyado is searching frantically for the bastard

Let's tell them - We can't go back right now

Ah, it's cold

Just as I was warming up, it's cold again

He's not wearing his sword

Zatoichi, they say your sword drawing is spectacular

Why don't you show us?

What family do you belong to?

I have ties to a man you killed, Kanbei of Sekiyado

I'm going to kill you for his relatives

Get ready to die

I only cut the air

So, do you want to come here and move some air?

Let's see!

Are you going to the mountains?

Are you going to see your family?

I'm not going to the mountains

When I went there last spring

A silly silly crow

Was flying all over

Circling around me

I won't go to the mountains again

A masseur's kimono is very very poor

He is bald as an egg

He only needs one razor blade

He doesn't need any hair oil And he doesn't need a comb

So, I don't need a comb?

Aren't you Ichi from Kasama?

Yes, I am

So it's you!

I am Tamekichi from Kojiya

Tamekichi from Kojiya

Oh, Tamekichi the good singer!

You remembered me

Ichi, it's been so long

Not just long

I didn't know you were alive!

I'm alive I'm so happy to meet a childhood friend

This is my wife and my child

Nice meeting you

I envy you

Are the three of you going to the hot baths?

No We can't afford that

Our business went bankrupt

Do you recognize this?

- It's a shamisen - This is our living

We have fallen to earning money on the road

I see you've been through a lot

It's my own fault

But I've heard so many rumors about you

Never mind that

Join me tonight

Let's stay at the same inn We'll talk

Tonight, your family is hired by me!

The compliments I received about my voice became my enemies

One's art consumes oneself

This is my punishment for doing something I'm not cut out for

And neglecting my father's business

Me too

As a blind man, I make those who see angry with me

I was so absorbed in drawing swords and killing people

that I entered the yakuza

This is my punishment

I did some things I shouldn't have done

Cut those I shouldn't have,

killed those I shouldn't have

The grudges against me are piling up

I've put myself in a dangerous position

It's time I started regretting things

I hear rumors about your sword drawing

But you're not wearing one

Is that wise after all you've told me?

Tamekichi, can I borrow your shamisen?

The shamisen?

I'm so glad I met you again I feel like singing

Kinu, the shamisen

I'm embarrassed to give such a poor instrument —

Never mind that

The back leather's torn It doesn't make a pretty sound

As long as it makes a sound

Everyone, please pretend to be deaf

Zato, Zato

That's what people call me

There's nothing I can do

A masseur earns only a few bucks

But all earnings are mine

Because I have no costs

If you want to live, hand over your money!

I warn you not to try and hide it

I'll use my sword if I have to

What about you? You're not coughing up?

- Please don't! We — - Shut up!

Please don't —

What is this?

Blind man, is that all you have?

Yes

Do you know what this is?

I'll cut you if you don't hand over your money

I understand

I hear there's a gang of thieves, Tengu from Mito

or something like that, running around lately

Is that you? - What? Quickly!

That's really all I have

Blind man! Are you still hiding something?

Take off your clothes!

Please, there's no need for that

I don't even have money to lodge here tonight

I was going to earn some small change

playing the shamisen for these people here

Is everyone finished?

They're all so poor, so much effort for so little money

Nothing we can do about that Let's go

Don't even think about making trouble!

Hello Is the boss at home?

He doesn't need a masseur this early in the day

I have to talk to him

- On what business? - I can't tell you

It's for your boss's ears only

He's out

Well, if he's out, he's out

Is Tashichi in? - Yes

Can you call him out here a minute?

Brother Tashichi!

There's a blind man to see you

Are you Tashichi?

It's me, from last night

You haven't forgotten my face, have you?

Where did I see you?

You put your sword here and said:

"Is that all, blind man?

If you don't give it all, I'm going to cut you"

What are you blabbering about? I'm not going to listen to this

Yes That's the voice

Say it again, will you?

"Is that all you have? I'll kill you!" Go on, say it

You bastard!

I was patient last night, so no one would get hurt

That's an interesting place to have a tattoo

Tamekichi!

It hurts!

Well?

Yes, yes, he has a tattoo It's him

Are you still denying it?

What's going on?

This man is a thief

who barged into an inn last night holding a dagger

And not only him, there were three others

It's a lie! It wasn't me! It was someone else

Quickly, tell us who your friends are

Ouch!

Kyuroku,

Yamakichi and Gonroku

Kyuroku, Yamakichi, Gonroku Where are you?

Come out!

I see no one here understands anything

People who were robbed of their traveling expenses

are standing there at a loss

If you have any complaints about what I've just said,

compensate them first and then deal with me!

Are you going to give them their money back or not?

A gang of thieves!

As you say, they're a bunch of thieves

Aren't you Zatoichi?

I see someone who understands has arrived

Everyone, come here

It looks like you're going to get your money back

This is a serious boss

As an apology,

he'll give you two-three times what you were robbed

Come here, and say your thanks

Thank you

We have to part here

We'll meet again someday

Miss, don't be discouraged Good luck

You too Take care

Ichi, seeing you again has encouraged me

Next time we meet, I'm not going to look so pitiful

Of course not!

You have such a fine wife and child

I do

Next time we meet,

I too, am going to become an honest man

Take care Good luck

You too

Welcome back! The boss is back

Welcome home

Shimakichi, welcome

We just met outside

I'd like to be a guest in your house tonight

What happened to this door?

Just now there was one by the name of Zatoichi here

Where is he? Where did he go?

He was heading west

I'll explain later, but now there's no time to waste

Zatoichi

What do you want?

I'm Kanbei of Sekiyado's younger brother

Kanbei's?

I've searched for you, and I've found you at last

Put on your weapon

I'm waiting Prepare yourself

Really?

Can't you wait for a man to put on his sandals?

Brother of Kanbei

I did kill your brother

But do you know

why I had to kill him?

I'm sure it was my brother's fault, and I'm sure you had your reasons

But I don't care what they were

I can't overlook a blind man killing a sighted one!

I'm not trying to justify my brother or avenge him

But this has to be settled in the yakuza way

I see

In that case, I'll fight

Who's that?

Ichi, do you recognize my voice?

That voice —

We're meeting in peculiar circumstances

Master!

It's been so long

Stop this stupid fight

You started it, didn't you?

Who are you?

I'm the man who taught Ichi here how to use a sword

As the case may be, I sometimes stand in for my pupils

Stay out of this!

Don't be a sore loser

Consider this as saving your life and put your sword away

Ichi, come Let's have a drink

Will you overlook what happened here tonight?

No way! Come back when you finish your business

We'll be waiting for you

Go!

I'm back

Welcome home

I've brought an unexpected guest with me tonight

- Who is he? - Ichi, the blind man

Master Ichi!

Good evening, miss

Really unexpected Please, come in

Come in

Welcome back!

Did you all practice hard while I was gone?

Yes!

Yayoi, give me some water

Yes

And make some tea for Ichi

Those who can't see can smell very well

So, does it still smell like when you studied here?

It brings back memories

Nothing's changed in four years

None of my present pupils are as hardworking as you were

You practiced like crazy, rain or shine

Yayoi, I've settled the matter

What?

Your marriage to Morooka

But I asked you to decline

Why decline? He's the son of the respected Mizuno family

What are you unhappy about?

Nothing

So why are you reluctant?

Like Morooka said, for me, being a poor samurai's daughter,

it's a dream match,

but I don't wish to marry for convenience

What an ungrateful thing you are!

Is it not for your happiness

that I bowed my head and begged just now?

Who else would want the daughter of a degraded samurai?

Is there anyone in the world who'd pass up a single chance

for happiness, by clinging to silly ideas?

I know I'm being stubborn, but just this —

- Have you more to say? - Please forgive me, just —

No! Stupid girl!

- Master Ichi, your tea - Thank you

Is this the house of Master Banno?

Yes

I came on behalf of Master Okumura

Okumura?

Kinosuke Okumura?

All right

I'm going out Ichi, wait here

- Where to? - Close by

Take care

- It's been a long time - How have you been?

My head is still on my neck

I heard that some Tengu members

have been caught and killed

Yes, we already have no place on this earth to lay our heads

That's what I've come to ask your advice about, Master Banno

Here, it's hot

I'd like to go visit the grandmother So —

Have this before you go I've already made it

Very well, since you insist

She'll be very surprised

Yes, it's been four years

It's like seeing your own mother, isn't it?

Yes, she breast-fed me and brought me up

You left here four years ago

Time passes so quickly

I was sure

you were already settled somewhere

I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that

- Why don't you have a drink? - I don't drink You have it

Thank you

In this, please

In the tea cup?

Thank you

Welcome!

Come in Customers are here

- Is the usual room ready? - Yes

How much do you need?

For now, 300 ryo.

- That's a big sum - I beg you

Even so,

we don't know how much money this one or that one has

For now, there's no other way but to aim at a rich man's house

There's one, Jimpachi Kanda, an eminent squire in these parts

His son is a pupil at my place

He is sure to have a lot of money

As long as he has money, I trust you

I see that the fugitives of Mito Tengu degraded themselves to stealing

while running from the law

Nothing can be done about that

But there are eight members who will be killed

unless we help them escape

Please help us

- Have you brought sake? - Yes

Leave us for now We will call when we need you

Okumura, I'm saying this just to make sure,

I'm helping you because you asked for it

But, no matter what,

you mustn't tell anyone I'm involved

I know

I don't care about myself, but I have a little sister

How old is Yayoi now?

Eighteen

The moon is so beautiful

Oh, I'm sorry It was wrong of me

That's fine

When I'm told the moon is beautiful,

it floats inside my own eyes too

I can still see the image of Shimodate in my mind

lit by the moonlight back when I could still see

I feel like playing the flute now

Good-bye

Take care

We'll wait for you tomorrow

Thank you very much

ABURAYA INN

Excuse us

- Welcome - Put us up for the night

Yes We have customers

Welcome, the bath is ready

- This is your place too? - Yes

- Let's have a drink first - Let's have it after the bath

Come on, Brother

You're a mean bastard

- Welcome - A few bottles of sake please

- What would you like to eat? - What is there?

- There's a very good fish stew - That's fine Bring the sake

The mistress of this inn is a refined beauty

Thank you

That good for nothing has just seen me

Yes If we could get into his nest, we would know where Ichi is

Put three bottles of sake on the tab

Please bring the sake

- I decline - Why?

If they want a drink, let them go somewhere else

What are you saying?

I'm not so stupid as to prepare drinks for such men!

I don't want the sake anymore

Damn it!

Masseur

You came at the right time

- Do you need a treatment? - Yes In that temple there

I was thinking of calling it a day

Please

A priest needs treatment?

A samurai He's asking for a masseur all the time

Come, it's here

What's taking so long?

They must be drinking

Only we haven't had enough drinks

Damn, we need more

Excuse me.

- What is it? - I've brought the masseur

Good Take him to the next room

Masseur, here I am

My shoulders and my back hurt You can work on them strongly

I understand

Oh, that's good

Thank you

Sir, you're very competent, aren't you?

Why?

Your arms, you use your sword often

- Can you tell? - It's many years experience

When I press this muscle here, I can usually tell immediately

- Is that so? Masseur - Yes?

To this day, I've killed seven men,

and brought 11 men close to death,

and I've not been hurt once

Really?

I'm grateful to you

for letting me massage the shoulders of such a strong samurai

It's a great honor for a masseur

Masseur, massage me next

Very well

Sir, please lie down

This masseur is very good

You don't meet one like him often

Really

Hey, you must have a lot of work

Not that much

- That hurt - Sorry

- What are you doing? - Forgive me

It hurts!

You're back

Don't bring a masseur in here

You should be more careful

Anyway, we'll talk tonight Send the masseur away

Get out!

Sir, please pay me for the massage

You think I'm going to pay you for that?

Go, get out!

It's been so long since I've been here, I overslept

- What? - What?

What?

She's completely deaf

Ichi, are you deaf?

You are the one who's deaf!

Probably To be blind and deaf is a little too much

By the way, are you not planning on going back to Kasama?

I'm still thinking about it

If you're in Shimodate, how can you not go to Kasama?

You should visit your parents' graves sometimes

Very well, I'll do that

Here, breakfast is ready

Good morning, miss

A man staying at the Aburaya Inn said that

he fought you at the hot baths at Kinugawa

It must be Kanbei's younger brother and his friend

I thought I should let you know I ran all the way here

Thank you for that

Anyway, let's go to my home together

The young leaves of the bamboo smell so strong

It's so quiet

It's good that it's quiet

It's like being in another world

Yayoi, is something the matter?

No, not at all Let's go

I'm sorry we're late

I took the long way to avoid bumping into those people

I'm sorry for putting you to all this trouble

Come in

Excuse me.

Ichi, I want you to demonstrate your sword drawing tonight

- Who am I to show it to? - To some of my pupils

- Tonight? - Yes All right?

Takekichi, go to Kingo's house and tell him to come at 6:30

I'm going

Zatoichi is going to demonstrate his sword drawing

- I understand - Tell Shiro on the way too

- 6:30 - I'm going

I'm going out for a little while Make yourself comfortable

Thank you

Brother

- What? - A visitor From the Aburaya Inn

Aburaya?

What is it?

He was going to kill me

Who? Your husband?

I didn't want to die by his knife, so I ran here

Don't be silly

That coward's not going to do anything so bold as killing his wife

No, it's true, he threatened me with a knife

He was just trying to upset you

I'm not going home! I'll be killed if I go back

Don't exaggerate

Not going home? Where will you go then?

That's what I came to consult with you about

Don't be a bore

Try to get along with your husband

It's no use

If you are throwing me out —

I'm busy

What should we do? What should I do?

I don't care

I told you never to come to me with such stupid affairs

Leave!

But I —

If I tell you to beat it, beat it!

Superb!

So, are you surprised?

It's a miracle!

Here's a man who can't see but still learned such techniques

You, who can see, what do you have to say for yourselves?

We're ashamed

We saw something amazing tonight

Well, you two, go home

Yayoi, bring a lantern

A surprising masseur

He's everything they say he is

Take care on your way home

Master Zatoichi, thank you

Good night

Ichi, thank you for your trouble

My shoulders hurt

Give me a massage

Kingo Kanda?

- Are you Kingo Kanda? - Yes

We have no business with you, beat it!

Master!

Kingo was kidnapped! - Kidnapped? By whom?

They had some business with Kingo

and told me to beat it

Take me there!

You come too

It's him

If we're going to kill him, now is the time

That's what I'd like to say

But it wouldn't be a pretty sight

if both our heads went rolling off like those candles

So, you're afraid Coward

Brother, are you going to do it?

Of course

Let's leave I want to live

If you don't want to do it, don't I'll do it

Tonight is the night

They said they have business with Kingo Kanda, which means

they knew he was coming here and were waiting for him

That might be it

Master Ichi, do you suspect something?

No, no

Master is always so busy

He too doesn't like this way of living

and is trying to change it

But it's not that easy

If you were settled,

he could work more calmly, I think

Yes, but I —

Master Ichi,

I was thinking today

Maybe you wouldn't mind taking me as a bride

Master Ichi, what do you think?

Can you say what you've just said one more time?

I would like you to take me for your wife

Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I'm no good

I'm a poor samurai's daughter with one kimono to my name

But you know all this,

and I felt that you wouldn't mind so much

Miss, do you really mean it? Do you really —

Yes

I thought about it this morning

as I was walking with you through the bamboo thicket

I've been thinking about it all day today

Master Ichi, do you dislike women like me?

What nonsense!

You're too good for the likes of me

Please

Stop joking

I don't care about status

My family is military, but my parents were ronin

My brother wants something else for me,

but as a woman, I don't

As long as I'm loved by someone all my life,

it's the best happiness I could ask for

Miss, are you really serious about what you are saying?

I am

Master Ichi, please take me

Was that a yes?

So, can I believe it is settled?

Yes

Thank you very much

You are saying this seriously too

Yes, I am

I'm sorry for imposing myself on you

Not at all!

But will the Master approve?

Let me be the one to ask my brother

Miss

I am blind I'm crippled, very crippled!

You still want me?

I've known it for a long time

It's not just that

I'm a gambler, shunned by the world

And not just that

I've killed people

You could say I'm a criminal

And there's more

I've known women

These women I've bought with money —

And not just five or 10 of them

My body is already withered, rotten

What shall I do with that?

That was yesterday

From today, please become a new Ichi

Yes, I will

I will be born again

I will leave the yakuza I'll become an honest man

Become honest and lead a steady life

Yes

It's Kanbei's brother

Prepare yourself and step outside I'm waiting

Master Ichi

It's trouble

What will you do?

No! Don't do that!

I've just promised you something

I will not defy what you told me

Choose the place I'll be there

I would like you to spare my life

What was that?

I care about my life

Could you please spare it?

I beg you

Instead, you can beat me up or kick me, whatever you choose

You can do with me as you like

It's a cowardly thing to say, but spare my life

Whatever you do to me, I won't utter a sound

I know it's not enough

to ease your mind about your dead brother,

but please find it in your heart to forgive me

I beg you

I don't know who you are,

but Master Ichi listened to me just now and has sworn to me

that he'll throw away his sword and leave the yakuza

From today, he has sworn to be an honest man

I beg you Please spare his life

It can't be done

That's your business to draw your sword or leave the yakuza

An offense to a yakuza must be avenged

I did not search up and down for you just to beat you up

I've prepared myself for this moment

Stand up

What you're saying won't happen

If you're determined not to spare me,

then kill me or wound me now

I wish to be killed as well

What kind of nonsense is this?

You're thinking about becoming honest and getting married?

Don't make me laugh! You think I'm stupid?

Zatoichi, what is this?

Fine If you say you're not going to draw your sword, it's no use

We'll settle this with dice

Your last fight as a yakuza will be called by odds and evens

If you win,

I will let the whole thing be water under the bridge

If I lose?

You'll give me your right arm

The arm that killed Kanbei of Sekiyado

Severed from the shoulder

Fine So be it

If I lose, I will give you my arm

Master Ichi!

It's decided

You're a clown Let's take a swing then

Little miss, you'll be his eyes

I'll be odds

Evens

Four and six, even

This man's lucky I lose

You won't see me again

Master Ichi,

that man —

The dice were odds

Welcome back

What about Kingo? Any news?

No I've sent Shiro to Kingo's house too

It's a mess

Ichi, are you staying at the old lady's tonight?

You leave tomorrow, don't you? - Yes

- Then you can go now - Brother!

I have something to ask of you

Ask? What is it? Tell me

Yes

What are you hesitating about? Can't you say it?

With your permission, I would like to marry

So you've decided to marry Morooka?

No, I have no wish to marry him

Then who is it that you wish to marry?

Who is he?

Who is it?

It's me

What? You?

Yayoi, who is the man?

- Master Ichi - Idiot!

Master, please give me your sister's hand in marriage

Shut up! Are you crazy?

You can't be serious

I am

I would like to live my life with him

What are you talking about?

Yayoi, I am a samurai!

I don't want a man like that in my family line

What do you think he is?

He's a gambler And a blind man

And you, you don't see you're a cripple

You place conceit on little strength,

allowing yourself too much arrogance

I don't even want to see your wretched face

Get out!

I'm ending our teacher-pupil relationship starting today!

- Brother — - Master Banno!

This was thrown in the yard

300 ryo.

They took your son hostage and are blackmailing you for money

What will you do?

If they bring Kingo back safely, I don't mind paying even 300 ryo.

But is there no mistake?

If it's money they're after,

they won't hurt him as long as we pay

Will you give the 300? - Yes

There's no substitute for my son's life

Tomorrow morning, 6:00 in the forest

I will come too

Master, is it not the doings of the Tengu gang?

- Why the Tengu gang? - I suddenly had that feeling —

Beware of stupid slips of the tongue!

Master Banno, I'll go home and prepare the cash for tomorrow

- We will meet there tomorrow - I beg for your help

Are you still here?

Brother, Master Ichi is going to become an honest —

I don't care! You can't marry him

Every dog knows what you are

Nothing but a lowlife masseur And worse than a dog!

Beat it!

Or if you resent being cursed like that, attack me!

If you can fight me, draw your sword!

Go on, draw!

You're not drawing? Blind idiot!

Thank you for everything

- Master Ichi! - Yayoi!

Do you want to shame me that much?

Don't you think you're crazy to want to spend your life

with a mean cripple like him?

You're so stupid!

If only you'd married Morooka, I could peacefully go to Edo

That's it

The 300 ryo.

Yayoi, so you're not disappointed,

I'll prepare a grand wedding for you and Morooka

I'm asking you, marry him!

I'm going to claim Kingo right now!

Don't do anything stupid!

You're back

Have you eaten?

Have you eaten?

Don't you have any sake?

There's nobody here to drink it

If you want a drink, go to a bar

Grandma, I'll be leaving now

Already?

I'm never coming back here

Why?

Why are you never coming back?

What's wrong?

Grandma, where's the bar?

The Aburaya in Katawamachi

The Aburaya

Are you really going there?

Ichi, you're not even going to say good-bye to me?

Take care

Blind as a bat, walking around all day,

always on the road

Ah, the lady from Master Banno's

Is Master Ichi back?

Yes, he just went to the Aburaya

Aburaya?

- Excuse me, one more - Sake?

Don't make such a face We won't have any more

Owner, it's all right, isn't it? I'm the guest on the second floor

Maybe I'll have it here

I'll drink it here in the corner I won't disturb anyone

Give me sake!

I'm sorry, we've just turned the stove off

I'll have it cold

What is it? Weren't you going to kill Zatoichi?

I've decided not to

You must be proud to have such a pupil

- You're saying he's a good man? - Is he a bad man?

Of course!

He has a worse nature than a thieving cat!

A thieving cat Great

You are not a thieving cat, are you?

What did you say?

In our world,

a thieving cat is a man who nibbles on another man's wife

Coming out at night like a stray cat in heat

Disgraceful, isn't it?

You, come here

- Why should I? - Come here, I said

You're going to show me now?

Forgive me if I've offended you I'm drunk

Sister, what about the sake?

It's coming

Please hurry, before I sober up

Let's hear your lecture about the thieving cat one more time

- Leave me alone, please - No!

Damn it!

I've killed the man who was after you

God help him

Poor man

What happened?

Shimakichi,

I came to thank you

for the good thing you've done

He's killed an unarmed man

How brutal

Damn him!

Who is that?

- Just the masseur - Let's go!

What are you doing? Move!

It's the masseur from last night

Yes, it is

That voice —

You're the one who failed to pay me for my massage last night

- What was that? - Never mind him now, let's go!

You're going to leave without paying me?

- Insolent bastard! - Watch your language!

Masseur, here's your payment

Who are you?

As you can see, I'm a masseur

You're no regular masseur

Maybe I'm not

Even if I can't see,

I've a pretty good idea what you're up to

There's a 300 ryo hostage in that straw carrier, isn't there?

So I'm right

I don't care if you're the Tengu Gang or not,

you're bad people

Thank you for your trouble

I'm obliged Here's the 300 ryo.

Let's go then

You can leave the straw carrier here

You too, wait here

Let's go

I'll take the 300 ryo now

No This is for Kingo's ransom

- Do you doubt me? - Of course not

Damn!

Ichi!

How dare you!

I was trying to protect myself

Shut up! Come!

I've no mercy for you Let's go!

There's no other way

I'll use

what you've taught me

What?

Good

That's fine by me

Master,

forgive me

Ichi! Take out your sword

Miss, it seems that

I am that kind of man

THE END