Zatoichi's Cane Sword (1967) User Reviews

One of the best Zotoichi

[panicwatcher · 8/10 · 2 June 2002]

This is one of the best Zatoichi movies. It has lots of humor, great action scenes and a history of Zatorichi's sword. Zatoichi gives up his sword when he discovers it is about to fail. Later, when gang of swordsmen attack him he must defend himself with just his bamboo cane. In another fight he defends himself against a knife attack with his pipe. After he gets a sword back, he finds himself sealed in a barrel by his attackers. But he defeats the attachers by stabbing through the barrel.

The best scene in the movie is Zatoichi doing a crazy song and dance about trying to catch ducks. Because it is completely out of character for Zatoichi, it is very funny. But at the same time you have to appreciate how good the performance is. When the dance is over, Zatoichi proceeds to "accidentally" insult the gang leader by mooning him, ignoring his offer of sake and then spilling sake on him.

The underlying story line is the same as most Zatoichi films. The villagers are being exploited by a violent gang and corrupt leader. Zatoichi kills enough bad guys until the town is saved.

Zatoichi changes his ways

[JohnSeal · 6/10 · 3 February 2002]

This is a fairly sedate but still interesting entry in the series. Zatoichi discovers that his trusty blade is about to break, and he decides to settle down as a domestic servant rather than risk losing his life and his sword. Naturally a spanner is thrown in the works by another naughty warlord, and complications ensue.

Complex plot and intriguing characters

[kluseba · 7/10 · 11 March 2018]

Zatoichi's Cane Sword is the fifteenth entry in the franchise about the clever gambler, blind masseur and skilled swordsman with a lowly yakuza background and I still can't get enough of this series with its authentic atmosphere bringing rural Japan of the mid-nineteenth century to life, with its unique lead character with a strong moral compass masterfully played by a credible Katsu Shintaro and the cool story lines involving conspiracies, greed, love, murder and redemption. As in many other films, Zatoichi comes across a dying boss who can only tell him his name. The blind masseur goes to the next town and stays in an old inn where he comes across the dead man's children. While the son is reluctant to take over his father's business, the daughter is determined to convince him and save their family's reputation. However, another boss named Iwagoro, supported by corrupt government official Inspector Kuwayama, wants to take over the dead man's business by any means necessary. Zatoichi tries to remain neutral in the conflict but when the dead man's son is brutally killed and the dead man's daughter lured away from the inn, Zatoichi decides to set things right. However, there is one big problem. The local blacksmith informs Zatoichi that his cane sword is about to break and that the blind masseur might only have one strike left before it snaps.

As usual, there are many positive elements about this film. First of all, the characters are very nicely developed in this film. The drunk blacksmith that rediscovers his art, the determined daughter who never gives up, the reluctant son who wants to avoid conflicts, the pervert government official and the wicked boss are all intriguing characters. The fact that Zatoichi has to fight without his usual cane sword at times adds some tension to the film. The movie has a few interesting twists that keep the viewers interested until the very end. The final fight sequence at night and in the snow when both Zatoichi and his opponents use numerous tricks to fight each other is particularly well-choreographed. In addition to this, the movie includes a few brief yet refreshing humorous scenes such as Zatoichi performing a chant and dance to make fun of the evil boss and Zatoichi playing a game of dice with an overtly self-confident loudmouth who challenges him to a duel.

However, the film also has a few flaws. The story is extremely similar to other movies and lacking some fresh originality. On the other side, the story is also more complex and at times a little bit hard to follow with its numerous characters, side stories and minor twists. It would have been better if the movie had been a few minutes longer to tell this complex story in greater detail.

Still, Zatoichi's Cane Sword is an above average entry in the franchise. The tense atmosphere in the inn where several key scenes take place is a very intriguing guiding line. The characters have depth and you either root for them or despise them quickly. The complex story is a little bit more challenging than usual which has positive and negative consequences. Collectors and fans of the franchise might appreciate this movie more than some of the weaker previous films but it's not strong enough in my book to be among the franchise's best entries. Those who aren't familiar with Zatoichi yet shouldn't start here and discover the series in chronological order.

You can't go wrong with Zatoichi!

[KingM21 · 9/10 · 5 January 2006]

Master Ichi finds out from a friendly sword-smith that his legendary blade has a weak point and thus, will break upon his next attack. This inspires him to give it up and attempt to live life on the straight and narrow. Of course, with all the evil men lurking about and terrorizing the locals, somebody eventually has to do something. And you know who that somebody is. There's not too much action for the first hour but when it comes, it's classic Zatoichi, meaning some of it must be rewound just to enjoy it a second time. Zatoichi's Cane Sword (#15) is one of the best in the 27-film series (and has some of the best bits of humor from Zatoichi, like the whole "duck dance" scene) and as such, I'd recommend it to both fans and non-fans alike. And in case no one knew, Katsu Shintarô rocks.

Eijirô Tono makes this one of the series best

[gkbazalo · 24 July 2004]

This is the 15th Zatoichi installment and one of the best in my opinion. The color cinematography is beautiful, especially a scene where Zatoichi approaches his adversaries at night in falling snow. Eijirô Tono (the innkeeper in Yojimbo who befriends Mifune) does a great job as Senzo the swordmaker, who it turns out was the maker of Zatoichi's sword. The plot is typical Zatoichi but the characters are better drawn than usual. The swordplay seems better than usual as well. There is also a little more humor and its very well done. Instead of the mysterious stranger who Zatoichi always has to fight after he wipes out all the evil Yakuza bosses and corrupt government officials, there is a comical gambler character who challenges Zatoichi to a dice "dual". Highly recommended for Zatoichi fans.

A true gem

[bighouseaz · 10/10 · 14 February 2005]

This entry in the Zatoichi series has been reviewed extensively at IMDb for good reason. If you have grown to admire Zatoichi and enjoyed earlier films in the series, you are sure to love Zatoichi Tekka Tabi. If you are a fan of samurai films with a lot of action and spurting blood, then you will lose patience with this film. Warning for the before-mentioned samurai film fans; Zatoichi doesn't make his first kill until the 77th minute!

All of the most interesting scenes have been described by others. There is a great variety of scenes and Katsu Shintaro is at his best. I do have to mention the Duck Song scene. It is absolutely devastating. It's a short little song and dance performed by Zatoichi that blasts the boss who is hosting the party. Zatoichi finishes his song, waits, and doesn't hear any applause. The audience is stunned by his audacity. The scene continues with fabulous dialog between the boss and Zatoichi. It's pure gold.

The film eventually does take the viewer into familiar territory and by now you should know what to expect. The cinematography of Zatoichi entering the town holding an umbrella under falling snow is one of my favorite images from the series.

If you are looking to add to your Zatoichi DVD collection, this one is a no-brainer. It's terrific stuff served up by Katsu at his best.

Great Zatoichi film going deep into the psychology of the protagonist

[alucinecinefago · 7/10 · 15 March 2020]

The following review is an extract from the book "Shintaro Katsu´s Zatoichi: Complete guide to all movies", which is now available on Amazon. Highly recommended for all Zatoichi fans!

"Ichi tries to help a dying man named Shotaro, who dies soon after due to the seriousness of his wounds. Before he dies, he is able to say that he comes from the city of Ashikaga. A little later, the masseur is picked up in the caravan of a singer, who takes him precisely to the neighboring Ashikaga, where an event is about to take place...

Fifteenth film of the adventures of Zatoichi directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda, a habitual director of jidaigeki who has already been behind the cameras on other occasions to direct more films of the saga of the blind masseur.

Zato means "masseur" (or rather a specific class of masseurs, that class of vagabonds to which the main character belongs) and Ichi, his first name, is also equivalent to the name for "one". For this reason, throughout the films, many times the people he meets are surprised that he presents himself only as "Ichi", believing that it is the abbreviation of a longer name (such as "Senkichi" or "Tadekichi"...).

Once again we observe that Ichi is tired of leading a life full of violence, and that he must always kill his enemies in spite of himself, because he is pushed to do so by circumstances. If it were up to him, he would simply devote himself to his work as a masseur... without forgetting his passion for the dice game. In any case, belonging to the guild of blind masseurs, he is predestined to wander all over Yamato, wandering from one side to the other, never being able to settle in a fixed place. The women he meets along his journeys as well as the friendships he makes during his constant travels are always ephemeral relationships.

Although we know that Ichi wishes from the depths of his being to abandon the path of blood, it is surprising that he gives his sword so easily to the blacksmith when he tells him that "it will no longer be possible" to repair it... How then will Ichi defend himself from now on, from all the enemies waiting for him?

really good Zatoichi flick

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 30 June 2005]

I love the Zatoichi movies, though I have found that because they made so many and the plots tended to blend together so often, it is hard to distinguish them apart. I would give all of them about the same score of a 7 or an 8--with a few exceptions (the return of the original in 1989 was a TERRIBLE and depressing movie, while the new Zatoichi movie starring Beat Takeshi is probably the best of any Zatoichi movies).

This movie features a unique plot--something many Ichi films do not feature. His relationship with the sword maker and what happens when his old blade ultimately breaks make this one stand out from the crowd. It's also nice to see that he is indeed NOT invincible.

Western Ronin

[ricardojorgeramalho · 7/10 · 19 January 2023]

In this new episode of the Zatôichi'a saga, the blind hero regains some of his charisma, in an adventure of gambling, gangsters and katanas of sublime quality.

Only the use of color prevents a complete return to the brightness of the first episode. Not that the cinematography of Senkichirô Takeda, an experienced and competent technician, is bad. The problem is that this Zatôichi is a lonely hero, a gambler and an adventurer who dabbles in the underworld of the Yakuza to settle disputes and protect the underdog. He is a ronin who shines most brightly in the shadows of black and white. As if it were a hybrid of a western and a film noir, transposed to feudal Japan.

The fashion for color has changed Zatôichi. But in this film it is still possible to find traces of the surprising character of the first episode.

After a romantic break, Zatôichi returns to his natural habitat in style. As if Clint Eastwood was temporarily transported by magic to the "western" ronin universe.

One of the best....

[int1 · 9/10 · 3 February 2002]

This is one of the best Zatoichi movies. The action is superb, and Zatoichi shows more emotion in this film than most. You learn some of the history behind his sword, and he even gets a new one. I highly recommend it!

Takes a long time to get going

[susansweb · 6/10 · 26 May 2003]

In the beginning of this installment of the Zatoichi series, Zatoichi comes across a dying man, who only gives his name, before he dies. Zatoichi then accidentally kills a raven, which he says is a bad omen for things to come. Unfortunately, almost an hour of the movie goes by before these events are revisited. What the viewer sees in the meantime is a lot of plot about how Zatoichi is weary of his lifestyle and that his cane sword's useful life is coming to an end (the cane sword is not a walking cane with a mini blade hidden at the end, like the westerner that I am thought it would be, it is just a walking stick that serves as a sheath for the sword). Once all that is done, then the typical Zatoichi film begins. There is a town in fear of an evil mob boss (who is more fleshed out than in the other films), a young woman in trouble and a huge battle at the end which features a nifty scene with a barrel. The last 40 minutes of this film rank up there with the best of the other Zatoichi films but it's the hour before that sinks this film.

A delight to see

[mistymountain · 15 April 2006]

This is another fine performance by Shintaro Katsu. First he gets a ride with a group of traveling performers. The woman singing the song had such a beautiful voice, she sounded like a professional singer. Then, he befriends a swordmaker, who tells him that his sword is about to break after another kill. So Zatoichi reluctantly gives him his sword, and has to fight only using a bamboo cane. The best part of the movie is when he does his song and dance routine about the ducks. He looked so goofy wearing that scarf around his head. It made him look like a woman. It was SO funny, I could not stop laughing even after that scene was over.

Zatoichi's Cane Sword (1967)

[mevmijaumau · 14 August 2015]

Director Kimiyoshi Yasuda's Zatoichi films are so far my least favorite of the bunch, and this one, while not plain bad like Zatoichi on the Road, is fairly underwhelming and didn't really leave an impact on me.

Zatoichi's Cane Sword is unusually talky for a Zatoichi film and the majority of it is just a long slow burn. It really takes a while for things to get going, and the plot isn't really the most interesting one too. Some aspects of the story were unclear to me, and there was some filler material. I don't know what's the point of the gambler character who appears several times (most notably in the final scene), and the appearance of singer Kiyoko Suizenji (who's here just to sing her popular song "Ippon dokko no uta") seems lazily shoehorned without much effort to weave her into the plot more fluidly.

There are some interesting moments in the film, most notably the final fight scene and the dice throw in the final scene which assumes Zatoichi is a bloody wizard, but aside from those, there isn't much to recommend here.

Highlight of the film would, once again, be the climactic fight scene taking place on the streets of the snowy town. Zatoichi's enemies are getting more and more creative - they use everything on him; barrels, even carpets!