Zatichi umi o wataru (1966) Zatoichi's Pilgrimage

There is very little action in this chapter of the adventures of Zatoichi, there is a big fight at the end and a one on one but thats pretty much it.

A pregnant woman is attacked and robbed, Zatoichi stumbles across her as she has started to give birth, he manages to deliver the boy but the mother dies leaving him holding the baby.

Once in the local village he tries to trace the father of the baby but its not long before much bigger problems arise in the shape of Dashu and his gang who want to take over the town and turn the Inn into a brothel.

There is the token gambling with dice scene, the rescuing of a damsel in distress, an incorruptable official who like most decent people ends up on the wrong side of the bad guys and pays for it. Poor old Zatoichi gets accused of murdering and robbing the woman whos baby he delivered but manages to clear his name, he shows great warmth and humanity even towards his accuser.

All in all a decent chapter, this is the earliest Zatoichi film Ive seen and is probably closer to the original vision.

This episode made me wish I could see more of the earlier films.

Cheers Trev.