Ichi

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1

In ancient times,

troupes of itinerant blind 'goze'

singers roamed northern Japan.

I'd thought you'd be here.

Here's food.

Eat.

The missus's kindness.

Aren't you the pretty one?

Leave me alone.

You're a blind goze singer

out on her own.

You've known a man.

That's why your troupe kicked you out.

Beware.

I never know what I'll cut down.

I cannot see.

Haruka Ayase

Shidou Nakamura

Yosuke Kubozuka

Takao Osawa

Based on the story by

Kan Shimozawa "Zatoichi Monogatari"

Screenplay by

Taeko Asano

Music by

Lisa Gerrard

Directed by

Sori

It's not that I want a man

just for sex.

You just want someone

to warm you up on cold nights.

A woman who can see

might worry about his looks...

but they don't matter to us.

But if you're one of the goze...

they drive you away

for having known a man.

That rule...

doesn't make sense.

Without warmth...

you'll freeze to death.

Hey!

Are you listening?

You've slept with a man.

Didn't you?

Hey!

He's here!

I may be blind, but I'm not stupid!

Leave me the money you promised!

Shut up!

Pay me!

Hey...

Here's another one.

Hey, boss, this one's gorgeous!

Let's see.

You're a goze, too?

He's asking you a question!

Leave me alone.

Huh?

Leave me alone.

Let's have a look at you.

Hold it!

Wait!

She's not enjoying this.

Who are you?

One passing by.

I beg your indulgence.

Wait!

Just wait. Wait!

There's no need for blood.

Wait.

Perhaps this...

might help?

It's worth 10 gold ryo.

It's real!

You think you can buy us off?

We can kill him, take the money

and have the girl!

You are not being fair!

What's wrong?

Draw!

Curse you, woman!

Why, you...

What is your name?

I should state mine first.

I am Toma Fujihira, samurai of Odaka.

For certain reasons,

I am on a pilgrimage.

But with my 10-ryo note

ruined by saving you...

I must seek employment

and earn some money.

I have enough skill with a sword

to serve as a bodyguard.

'Saved' me?

I would have cut down those men

if you had not.

You laughed! Did you not?

A derisive snort!

Through your nose!

You do not scorn a samurai!

What's wrong with her?

Town of Bito

Miss! I'll show you a fine inn!

Where do men gamble?

The gambling den's a little ways away.

I'll take you.

Can you gamble?

All right? The dice go down.

Place your bets!

Even!

Odd!

They've never heard of him.

Odd? Do I hear 'odd'?

Even!

Place your bets!

Odd.

The moment of truth!

Even!

The Banki-to Gang...

Soon I'll be flat broke!

Acting like they own the place!

Don't stand there watching!

You put me off!

Come try your luck!

Now...

we continue.

The dice go down.

Bets!

Even!

Odd!

Place your bets!

Odd!

Even? Do I hear 'even'?

Even!

Odd!

Any more?

Bets!

Even.

Even.

Place your bets!

Even? Do I hear 'even'?

Place your bets!

Even...

The bets are down.

Even!

Odd.

Odd.

Even!

Bets are down.

The moment of truth!

Odd!

Even.

Even!

Even!

Keep going!

Let's do it again!

I don't need a light.

Oh, that's right...

But don't worry while you're here.

I'll take care of you.

My thanks.

I won exactly 10 ryo.

Now my debt is paid.

I've got money now, boy.

Take me to a fine inn.

It's 'Kotaro', not 'boy'!

Hold it!

Wait!

Yes?

You bastard!

You played us for suckers!

I did no such thing.

You were cheating.

I would never play tricks!

Give us our money,

and we'll let you live.

I refuse.

What?!

If you want the money,

then come and take it.

This time, keep out of it.

He's shaking!

The poor guy!

Draw!

Die!

You have saved me again.

Wow!

There!

They're down!

Amazing!

Five men with one sword!

Those Banki-to scum had it coming.

'Banki-to'?

A bandit gang.

You wield a fine sword.

I am Toraji,

of the Shirakawa Yakuza family.

Bito is our turf,

and we need a bodyguard.

We'll pay, of course.

How about 20 ryo?

I couldn't...

Not enough?

Well, for a man of your skill...

what would you say

to 30 ryo?

30?!

Toraji-san...

Then it's a deal.

Your name, Master?

Toma Fujihira.

'Coma'?

'Toma', stupid!

Kotaro, did you bring

this gentleman?

Yeah!

Well done. I'll buy you

some sweet dumplings.

Miss! Wait.

Is she with you?

Well, I wouldn't say that...

Oh.

This way, Master.

Let's go.

This way.

You're really something!

You can even beat Banki.

You don't mind him

taking credit for you?

You don't want an inn?

A temple will do.

Come to my house. It's close.

Oh... my father says he knows

a blind swordsman.

I'm back, Dad!

Who's that woman?

A goze.

She's looking for someone.

Are you telling lies

to bring a woman here again?

Dad!

Well, she's a woman, for sure.

But she's even dirtier than me!

Do you think I'm a fool?!

Don't kill my dad!

He wants a mother

more than anything.

But I'm just no use to anyone.

But enough of that.

In three days...

Lord Kataoka, the Shogun's

Magistrate-Inspector...

will be visiting Bito.

The Shirakawa family

will entertain with a festival...

hoping he'll help

smash the Banki-to.

And among the people

they've invited to perform...

are a kabuki theatre troupe...

and a blind 'draw-and-slash'

swordsman.

That samurai did this?

Does anyone know?

Chief...

The same wounds

as the other three today.

Back-hand single slash.

I thought only one man

fought like that.

Shirakawa

Master! Have a drink.

I should be pouring for the boss.

Please don't be so formal.

And my father Chobei Shirakawa

is the real boss.

Men!

With this gentleman here,

we have nothing to fear!

He cut down five

Banki-to men in a flash!

I'm not like Father.

I won't let the Banki-to

walk all over me!

I am Toraji

of the Shirakawa family!

So drink up!

You too, Master.

Ah, Kihachi!

You brought her?

Yes.

We've been waiting!

You're one beautiful goze.

What's your name?

Ichi, sir.

What shall I play?

Great Master?

No, I know nothing of music.

Just play something.

Yes.

'Again tonight I sleep alone...

'Imagining being rocked

on my mother's knee...'

No, no, no.

Not like that.

Something with more spirit!

Something to make

this gentleman liven up.

Yes.

That's it!

Right, Master?

Kotaro?

It's me. Toma Fujihira.

Sorry! Have you

been waiting long?

Oh, Coma...

It's 'Toma'!

Toraji-san paid us well.

Did you hear me?

It was a good job.

Wear this blindfold.

Banki seems to have weird tastes.

You greedy cow.

This is business, you know.

Make damn sure

you don't touch his face.

You do, and he'll be

your last 'business'.

Master!

You haven't touched your food!

Don't you like it?

No, that's not it.

Since the Banki-to came...

the inns of Bito

have wasted away.

When Boss Chobei was well...

the place was full of life.

But at this rate

the place will die away!

But, Master, if you will just

cut down Banki...

Everyone here

is hoping you will.

So eat your fill,

and build up your strength!

Eat lots.

Lots and lots!

Where's the toilet?

Down the hall.

I can't take it any more.

It's a waste of blood.

We won't know till we try!

We should ask the Magistrate...

to send a force

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