Product Description

Zatoichi meets a superior swordsman in episode four. Arriving in the village of Shimonita, Ichi learns that a local gang has placed a bounty on his head. A powerful hired ronin attacks Ichi and nearly claims his life. However, once a defenseless woman is slain by the assassin Ichi can no longer control his rage. After laying waste to the entire gang, Ichi’s final duel becomes a deadly meeting of the samurai’s superiror swordsmanship and the blind masseur’s unbridled rage.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #84669 in DVD
• Brand: Image Entertainment
• Released on: 2002-10-22
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Color, Dubbed, DVD, Letterboxed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: Japanese
• Subtitled in: English
• Dubbed in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 86 minutes

From the Back Cover
Zatoichi seeks bloody vengeance on a ruthless gang and a powerful ronin in episode four of the Blind Swordsman series. Arriving in the village of Shimonita, Ichi learns that a local gang has placed a bounty on his head. A powerful hired ronin attacks Ichi and nearly claims his life, but when a defenseless woman is slain by the assassin, Ichi can no longer control his rage. After laying waste to the entire gang, Ichi's final duel becomes a deadly meeting of the samurai's superiour swordsmanship and the blind masseur's unbridled rage.

Customer Reviews

excellent work of art.
can't be beat. buy it now. the swordplay is amazing and the story is even better. every single zatoichi is a great experience to be taken in. start your collection of this series today.

Zatoichi #4
I really appreciate Home Vision Entertainments production of the Zatoichi movie series. Each release has been an excellent presentation of Zatoichi. As a Japenese Samurai Movie fan I think that this series of DVD's is the best. The character of Zatoichi is very compelling and each story helps you identify with this Blind Swordsman who always trying to do good for others. The examples of Japenese culture during this time period is very beautiful and detailed. Shintaro Katsu displays a wide range of emotions as Zatoichi and his display of swordmanship is excellent.

#4: AN ENTERTAINING ZATOICHI EPISODE
This 4th episode of Zatoichi begins with a more comical sendup than in previous episodes. The charactor traits Shintaro Katsu would eventually define as Zatoichi have now become more ingrained in the personality of Ichi, and the following episodes will only reinforce the humorous, beloved, cane-sword weilding, blind masseur and ethical man to the audience. This episode is enjoyable, as ALL of the Ichi episodes are. The film begins with a price on Ichi's head; and an inexperienced swordsman by the name of Kisuke, tries to claim this reward. He fails of course, and as he lays dying he informs Ichi that his mother Maki, is with the yakuza.

Therefore, Ichi embarks on a trip to see the mother, and inform her what has happened. However, she does not resent Ichi, as she understands that it was in self-defense. Also, reprising her role in this episode is Tane, the woman who loved Ichi [episodes #1 and #2]. Tane is now with a samurai. [I will not tell you about her character, as it will spoil the film for those who have not viewed it] There are many characters in this particular epsiode, with many subplots going in different directions. The cinematography is excellent as usual, and Zatoichi does flash his sword in a wild ending. An enjoyable watch. [Stars: 3.5]