Zatoichi on the Road

A DAIEI CO. LTD. PRODUCTION

Game!

What are you doing?

- You switched the dice!

- What?

I can tell by the sound.

You can fool my eyes

but not my ears.

It's Zatoichi!

Darkness is my ally.

Come find me if you can.

ON THE ROAD:

Original story by KAN SHI MOZAWA

Screenplay by MI NORU I NUZUKA

Starring:

SHINTARO KATSU:

SHIHO FUJIMURA and RYUZO SHIMADA

Directed by KIMIYOSHI YASUDA

I know a really good inn.

Meals and sake are on me.

That's very generous of you.

-Well, shall we--

- Hold on a second.

I haven't finished eating.

The inn can wait.

We've got time.

- You are Kisuke, right?

- Yes.

Are you going to pay all expenses

on our trip to Doyama?

Yes, but please,

just don't change your mind

about going.

I understand.

I wasn't headed anywhere

in particular.

I'm so glad you're coming.

My boss will be delighted.

Well, your boss must be

an odd fellow

if he sent you to fetch

a blind man like me.

Give me some tea.

Can we afford to stay

at an inn tonight?

We'll work it out.

You three are pathetic.

Is that all you can say?

Look at that blind man.

He's being put up in style.

Here you go.

- A friend ofyours?

- No.

It's nothing.

Let's get going.

That was delicious.

Let's go. This way.

That bastard!

He convinced him to go.

Who is that blind man?

- Zatoichi, a gambler.

- That blind man is a gambler?

Kisuke, are you sure

there are no strings attached

to this free trip to Doyama?

None whatsoever.

My boss just wants to meet you.

He keeps talking about

having you as a guest.

You should know I won't fight

or put on a show of sword tricks.

I know.

By the way, I really appreciate

the fancy meals.

Where will the fight take place?

At Shimozuma, 20 miles from here.

We'll fight in four or five days.

I'll pay you three gold coins each.

What do you think?

Not bad.

We haven't killed anyone

in a while.

We'll do it.

I have one more job for you.

Remember the blind man

who was here a few minutes ago?

I want you to kill him

and the fellow with him.

I'll pay you two bu each

for this job.

- One of them is a gambler, right?

- I heard they were going to Doyama.

That's who we're fighting:

Boss Hikozo in Doyama.

The blind man is Zatoichi.

He's a skilled swordsman.

That blind man is a swordsman?

Kisuke, you can walk faster

if you like.

Really? All right.

Oh, no, I forgot my tobacco pouch.

Should we go back to get it?

No, it was a cheap one anyway.

You're in a generous mood.

Let's keep walking.

Hey, you! Wait!

- Who is that?

- The samurai from the tea house.

Maybe they brought you

your tobacco pouch.

I doubt it.

Hey, blind man!

You're Zatoichi, aren't you?

I hear you're quick with a sword.

Show me how good you are.

You must be joking.

What do you want from us?

Come on!

You want to try too?

You must be a woman.

My life's only worth 2 bu.

Are you really blind?

Were you at the tea house?

I asked you a question!

If l could see,

I would have run away a long time ago.

Then how did you know

I was a woman?

I may be blind,

but I have a keen sense of smell.

Why did these samurai

want to kill me?

They were paid.

By whom?

I didn't bother to ask his name.

He's long gone.

Were you with these men?

One of the men you just killed

was my husband.

That makes me your enemy.

I suppose so.

But don't worry.

You just killed three grown men,

three full-fledged samurai,

in an instant.

What threat could a woman

like me pose to you?

He has no need for money now.

So long.

Bastard!

- Did you find her?

- No.

It's just a blind masseur.

I know you're blind,

but did you hear a girl pass by here?

No, I didn't run into anybody.

Keep looking.

What's that smell? Blood?

He's still alive.

I was just passing through,

so I'm afraid I don't have

any medicine on me.

There's little I can do

to help you.

He won't last long.

I don't know who you are,

but please do me a favor!

What is it?

Please save Miss Mitsu.

Mitsu?

No matter what it takes,

please save her!

I beg you, save her!

Where is this Mitsu?

He's dead.

Mitsu.

Mitsu, are you here?

It's you!

Why did you call her name?

This man was trying to call her,

but his voice was too faint,

so I thought I'd help him.

He just died.

Go search over there.

I'd like to help,

but there's nothing I can do

if Mitsu isn't here.

I know he asked a favor of me,

but I have to move on.

Mitsu, is that you?

Are you--

You are Mitsu, aren't you?

This man lying on the ground

asked me to look after you.

Old man!

I could tell he loved you very much.

With his dying breath he begged me--

a common blind man--

to save you.

He kept saying "please, please"

till he passed away.

Old man, What will I do without you?

You always took care of me.

Who can I count on

if you're gone?

How am I supposed to reach Edo?

Crying won't do any good.

Besides,

what if those samurai find you?

Then you'll be in real trouble.

It's too dangerous to stay here.

Come on.

Come on, hurry up.

She couldn't have gotten very far.

Did you look in that shed?

Yes, I did.

Check once more to be sure.

What's wrong?

Damn it! One of them got away.

Let's go while we can.

What are you waiting for?

Come on!

Don't go outside.

They're still looking for you.

You must be hungry.

There's nothing to eat around here.

This is all I could find for now.

Persimmons are in season.

I'm sure these will taste good.

Persimmon is my favorite fruit.

What an awful persimmon!

I've never had

such a bitter persimmon before!

It's really terrible!

Mitsu.

Because I'm blind,

I don't know what you look like,

but I can hardly believe

what I heard:

that you stabbed a man in the face

with your hairpin.

I guess it's like the proverb

of the cornered mouse biting the cat.

Anyway, there's no one worse

than a samurai.

You stopped your lord from raping you,

so he sent his men to kill you?

What a foolish reason

to kill someone!

I've never heard of such a thing.

In any event,

do you have somewhere to go

when you get to Edo?

Yes.

This is the first time

you've spoken to me.

Go that way!

- The men from last night.

- Where?

Come on!

- How many are there?

- About 20.

If we're surrounded,

stay close to me.

Damn it, where did they go?

- Have you found them yet?

- No.

Where could they be?

There they are!

- Over there!

- Don't let them get away!

Hurry!

See if they're over there.

They're not here.

Then look over there!

Find them now!

It's all right now.

That was close.

We need to get out of here quick.

I'm so sorry.

For what?

For involving you in my problems.

No use looking back now,

but it might not be easy

getting you to Edo.

- You think you can make it?

- Yes.

Look!

It's a blind man!

Look at the blind man!

All right, kids, go home now.

- Watch your step.

- Thank you.

There's a step here.

Watch your step.

This is your room.

Thank you.

- Zatoichi is here.

- Really?

Don't worry.

He didn't come here after you.

It's strange, though.

He's with a young girl.

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