Shin Zatichi monogatari: Kasama no chimatsuri (1973) Zatoichi's Conspiracy aka Zatoichi at the Blood Fest

This was episode 25, the last of the "old school" Zatichi films.

Strangely enough, this went back to the purity of the earlier films, Zatoichi returns to the town of his birth, an old friend of his also returns at the same time, the difference being his old friend splashes money round and is shown a great deal of respect because of it. There is an ulterior motive to the money spending and his old friend soon shows his true colours by bringing in workers to exploit the towns quarry and thugs to keep control of the town people and the peasants.

Zatoichi is very unhappy with the exploitation of decent people and after a long build up including the necessary gambling scene, crooked bureaucrats and threats he metes out his justice on the gangs and his old friend.

Notable because of the simplicity of the storyline and the almost redemptive feeling of the film. 

A nice way to finish the series and not as problematic as the previous film Zatoichi in Desperation. 

Cheers Trev.