Zatoichi

[AsahinaKimi]

I fell in love with Shintaro Katsu a long time ago. I inherited my fathers entire collection of Zatoichi movie and television programs. Zatoichi was much like some of the westerns here in the US but involved stories made in the time of Japan's Edo Period. Like a gunslinger, this blind gentle man carried a cane sword which he would use if provoked. The bodies did pile up, but he was so lovable, that he became a major sensation in japan.

Yojimbo vs Zatoichi
Toshiro Mifune (Yojimbo) and Shintaro Katsu (Zatoichi)

(from Wiki: )
Zatoichi is a fictional character featured in one of Japan's longest running series of films and a television series set in the Edo period. The character, a blind masseur and swordmaster, was created by novelist Kan Shimozawa.

This originally minor character was developed for the screen by Daiei Studios (now Kadokawa Pictures) and actor Shintaro Katsu, who created the screen version. A total of 26 films were made from 1962 to 1989. From 1972 to 1974, a television series of the same name was made. One hundred and twelve episodes were aired before the "Zatoichi" television series was cancelled.


Katsu was also a singer as well as an actor, and sung the theme song to
Zatoichi with several versions

Shintaro Katsu - Otento-san (Zatoichi theme song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsI1TftGfFk&feature=related

Sample trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LybFr_ApFiY

[kentauros]

1. I always liked it when IFC showed those films.

I really got into them :)

I can't remember any of the titles, but remember the one where he had a nephew following him around during one movie.

Inheriting such a collection is great! I'd take a while to get through them all, but it would still be wonderful to see them all. Of course, I'd have to have subtitles for them.

IFC also played a film that was various Japanese folktales, or maybe ghost stories, but can't recall that title either. Only that there was one story where a man had to keep secret that he'd either met or helped a "witch" and promised never to tell anyone the story. Only he did, later in his life. I can't remember how it ended now, but I did enjoy the story :)

[AsahinaKimi]

2. I had a whole list of titles

But I can't find it right now. All my stuff is in boxes, as I am ready to move. I went though some bad times recently, and ended up selling alot of my dvds, but there was no way in hell I would sell his films off. I would rather go hungry in the street, they were awesome!

[kentauros]

3. You might also consider finding a friend you really trust

to keep them for you if things do get to that point. Plenty of us understand the need to archive heirlooms :)

I hope things turn around for you soon :hug: