Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman

Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman

1971 · 94 min · ★ 6.8 · Adventure, Action, Drama

Zatoichi is a blind massage therapist and swordsman who finds out that something troubling is taking place on the outskirts of town. After discovering who the guilty parties are -- an accomplished Chinese martial artist named Wang Kang and his youthful attendant -- Zatoichi finds them and discovers that the pair's mixed up with a dangerous bunch of terrorist samurai who murdered the boy's parents. Now, Zatoichi must step in to save the day.

Directed by Kimiyoshi Yasuda · Written by Yamada Takayuki

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Criterion Channel

Rent or Buy

Amazon VideoApple TV StoreFandango At Home

Cast

Make it a double feature

2h 58m together

Zatoichi Meets the One-Armed Swordsman

The Hoodlum Priest

Both from Kimiyoshi Yasuda.

Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman CollectionSee all →

The Tale of ZatoichiThe Tale of Zatoichi · 1962
The Tale of Zatoichi
★ 7.31962
MovieAdventureAction
The adventures of a blind, gambling masseur and master swordsman. Zatoichi targets a yakuza-controlled village, because war with a neighbouring town's smaller gang is brewing.
The Tale of Zatoichi ContinuesThe Tale of Zatoichi Continues · 1962
The Tale of Zatoichi Continues
★ 7.11962
MovieAdventureAction
Returning to the village where a year before he had killed Hirate, a much-admired opponent, Zatoichi encounters another swordsman and former rival in love.
Zatoichi the FugitiveZatoichi the Fugitive · 1963
Zatoichi the Fugitive
★ 6.91963
MovieAdventureAction
After arriving in the town of Shimonita, Ichi finds that a price has been put on his head by a local yakuza boss. He's drawn into a trap, but after hearing of the slaying of a former love, Ichi furiously fights his way through the entire clan to face the killer, a hired ronin.
Zatoichi on the RoadZatoichi on the Road · 1963
Zatoichi on the Road
★ 6.91963
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi is sworn to protect the life of a young girl and without any real allies finds himself in the middle of a bloody turf war.
New Tale of ZatoichiNew Tale of Zatoichi · 1963
New Tale of Zatoichi
★ 7.01963
MovieActionDrama
Wishing to find peace, Zatoichi travels to his old village but only finds trouble when he ends up in a love triangle and finds old scores have followed him home.
Zatoichi and the Chest of GoldZatoichi and the Chest of Gold · 1964
Zatoichi and the Chest of Gold
★ 6.91964
MovieActionDrama
Ichi travels to the village of Itakura to pay his respects at the grave of Kichizo, a man he killed two years ago. When some tax money is stolen while in transit to the governor he is accused and sets out to find the money and clear his name.
Zatoichi's Flashing SwordZatoichi's Flashing Sword · 1964
Zatoichi's Flashing Sword
★ 6.91964
MovieActionDrama
Blind masseur Zatoichi is nursed back to health by a young woman after he is shot by a gang member. Zatoichi, who had come to the village to repay a debt, now feels further indebted. He commits himself to use his amazing sword skills to help the young woman's father, whose river-crossing service is under attack by the same gang responsible for Zatoichi's wounds.
Fight, Zatoichi, FightFight, Zatoichi, Fight · 1964
Fight, Zatoichi, Fight
★ 6.81964
MovieAdventureAction
Blind swordsman/masseuse Zatoichi befriends a young woman returning home with her baby. When gangsters mistake her for Zatoichi and kill her, Zatoichi determines to escort the baby to its father. He gains the reluctant help of a young pick pocket and together they travel to find the baby's father. But they do not reckon on the father's reaction to their arrival, nor on their own growing feelings for the child.
Adventures of ZatoichiAdventures of Zatoichi · 1964
Adventures of Zatoichi
★ 6.71964
MovieAdventureAction
Blind swordsman/masseuse Zatoichi befriends a young woman looking for her father, a village leader who has disappeared. As he helps her investigate the disappearance, Zatoichi also becomes involved with another young woman who is trying to help her brother, who has murdered someone at about the same time and place as the missing man was last seen.
Zatoichi and the Chess ExpertZatoichi and the Chess Expert · 1965
Zatoichi and the Chess Expert
★ 6.71965
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi makes friends with a dangerous chess player, while fending off angry yakuza and bloodthirsty relatives out for revenge, and trying to save a sick child. Meanwhile, his luck with dice is turning.
Zatoichi and the Doomed ManZatoichi and the Doomed Man · 1965
Zatoichi and the Doomed Man
★ 6.81965
MovieAdventureAction
Blind swordsman Zatoichi, jailed briefly, is implored by another prisoner to aid him in proving his innocence of a crime for which he is sentenced to death. Zatoichi is reluctant to get involved, because he knows how often such involvement has led to trouble in the past. But events conspire to thrust him repeatedly into involvement, and gradually he comes to believe in the man's innocence and determines to free him.
Zatoichi's RevengeZatoichi's Revenge · 1965
Zatoichi's Revenge
★ 6.61965
MovieAdventureAction
Itinerant masseur and master swordsman, the blind Zatoichi, is near the village of his teacher, Hikonoichi, so he decides to visit. He learns of Hikonoichi's recent robbery and murder and the imprisonment of his virginal daughter, Osayo, in a brothel. Through friendship with Denroku, a local dice thrower and devoted father, Ichi uncovers an unholy alliance between the governor and the area strongman: among their scams is falsifying tax records to put farmers in debt, then forcing their daughters into prostitution at the boss's brothel. With help from Denroku's daughter, Otsuru, Ichi comforts Osayo until he can provoke showdowns with the villains and their henchmen.
Zatoichi's VengeanceZatoichi's Vengeance · 1966
Zatoichi's Vengeance
★ 6.91966
MovieActionDrama
Zatoichi comes upon a dying man who asks him to give a bag of money to "Taichi". Zatoichi has no idea who this is but when he comes upon a small town harassed by gangsters, he finds that "Taichi" was the man's young son. Along his travels he also met a blind monk who makes Zatoichi question his murderous lifestyle. In trying to help the town, Zatoichi kills some gangsters and becomes a hero to the boy. He must make a choice of whether to use non-violence and set a good example, or violence and set the boy on the wrong path in life.
Zatoichi's PilgrimageZatoichi's Pilgrimage · 1966
Zatoichi's Pilgrimage
★ 7.11966
MovieDramaAction
Zatoichi's trek through 88 temples to atone for his violent past is interrupted as he stumbles into a village terrorized by a violent yakuza boss.
Zatoichi ChallengedZatoichi Challenged · 1967
Zatoichi Challenged
★ 7.01967
MovieAdventureAction
Ichi is staying at an inn when a woman dies. Her dying wish is that Ichi take her son to his father, an artist living in a nearby town. After arriving in the town, Ichi finds out that the father has been forced by a local boss to create illegal pornography to pay off his gambling debts. Ichi makes it his mission to save the man and reunite the family, even though it brings him into conflict with a samurai he sort of befriended on his way to the town.
Zatoichi the OutlawZatoichi the Outlaw · 1967
Zatoichi the Outlaw
★ 6.71967
MovieAdventureAction
When a local gambling house kidnaps some peasants because they failed to pay their debts, a rival gambling house pays their debts and sets them free.
Zatoichi's Cane SwordZatoichi's Cane Sword · 1967
Zatoichi's Cane Sword
★ 7.31967
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi comes upon the town of Tonda, overrun by gangsters. Using one of his favorite techniques, Zatoichi proceeds to win 8 ryo in a rigged gambling game. Of course, the local gangsters attempt to kill him, and the adventure begins. It turns out a blacksmith named Senzo examines Zatoichi's cane sword, and discovers it to be forged by his old mentor. Senzo discovers the sword is at the end of its usefulness and will break when it is used next.
Zatoichi and the FugitivesZatoichi and the Fugitives · 1968
Zatoichi and the Fugitives
★ 7.01968
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi runs afoul of some evil fugitives, working for a corrupt law official.
Samaritan ZatoichiSamaritan Zatoichi · 1968
Samaritan Zatoichi
★ 6.81968
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi is forced to kill a young man who owes a debt to a yakuza boss. Moments later, his sister Osode arrives with the money she earned (prostituting herself) to pay his debts. The bosses true motives are revealed and he attempts to steal Osode even though the debt is paid. Zatoichi realizes his grievous error and protects the girl from the gang. Osode and Zatoichi are caught in a dilemma as she must rely on her brother's killer for protection and Zatoichi wrestles with the injustice he has caused.
Zatoichi Meets YojimboZatoichi Meets Yojimbo · 1970
Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo
★ 6.81970
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi treks to a village that has always been a favorite spot of his, only to discover that it’s become a living hell, plagued by feuding father and son yakuza as well as the younger crime boss’s bodyguard, scruffy, smart-mouthed, cash-hungry Yojimbo of legend.
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire FestivalZatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival · 1970
Zatoichi Goes to the Fire Festival
★ 6.81970
MovieAdventureAction
The blind masseuse is targeted by the leader of a powerful yakuza group while also fending off a jealous husband bent on revenge. Zatoichi tours Edo's underground via a rousing onsen fight scene, gambling houses and the gender-bending character of Umeji, before a final, flame-filled conflagration.
Zatoichi at LargeZatoichi at Large · 1972
Zatoichi at Large
★ 6.61972
MovieAdventureAction
Blind masseur and master swordsman Zatoichi finds a robbed and fatally wounded pregnant woman, whose baby he delivers before she dies. He takes the baby in search of its father and finds the child's aunt, who is about to be forced into prostitution for want of a payment the dead mother was bringing. Zatoichi determines to save the woman from her cruel fate.
Zatoichi in DesperationZatoichi in Desperation · 1972
Zatoichi in Desperation
★ 6.71972
MovieAdventureAction
After accidentally causing the death of an old lady, Zatoichi tries to do right by buying the lady’s daughter’s freedom from a brothel - but this causes more problems than solves them.
Zatoichi's ConspiracyZatoichi's Conspiracy · 1973
Zatoichi's Conspiracy
★ 7.01973
MovieActionDrama
Zatoichi, the famed blind swordsman, returns to his home village for the first time in many years. He is befriended by Omiyo, who had the same wet-nurse as Zatoichi. He also encounters a boyhood friend, Shinbei, who is now wealthy and appears not to remember Zatoichi. Shinbei seems to be interested in repaying the villagers' debts, but is, in reality, manipulating the ownership of a now valuable rock quarry. Zatoichi learns of the subterfuge and confronts his old friend, who has a score of yakuza swordsmen backing his play.
Zatoichi: Darkness Is His AllyZatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally · 1989
Zatoichi: Darkness Is His Ally
★ 6.41989
MovieActionDrama
Older, wiser but still a wandering loner, the blind, peace-loving masseur Ichi seeks a peaceful life in a rural village. When he's caught in the middle of a power struggle between two rival Yakuza clans, his reputation as a deadly defender of the innocent is put to the ultimate test in a series of sword-slashing showdowns.

More from Kimiyoshi YasudaSee all →

Kogarashi MonjiroKogarashi Monjiro · 1972
Kogarashi Monjiro
★ 8.01972
SeriesAction & AdventureDrama
Monjiro was born into a poor farm family in Mikazuki Village, Nitta County, Ueshu, and abandoned his hometown when he was 10 years old. He has been traveling aimlessly with a long toothpick in his mouth. Monjiro avoided getting involved in anything, but wherever he went, he ended up getting involved in incidents
The Hoodlum PriestThe Hoodlum Priest · 1967
The Hoodlum Priest
★ 7.31967
MovieActionCrime
The first film in the 2 part series about Ryuzen, a renegade martial-arts priest who, in addition to breaking all the commandments against sex and gambling, opens his own gambling den in direct defiance of the local yakuza boss. Exciting action and a twisty plot this movie breaks new barriers in Japanese cinema. Katsu Shintaro is superb in one of his better non-Zato Ichi roles as he fights off the advances of a love-lorn woman and risks his life to defeat the powerful gambling boss who has a stranglehold on the town.
Zatoichi's ConspiracyZatoichi's Conspiracy · 1973
Zatoichi's Conspiracy
★ 7.01973
MovieActionDrama
Zatoichi, the famed blind swordsman, returns to his home village for the first time in many years. He is befriended by Omiyo, who had the same wet-nurse as Zatoichi. He also encounters a boyhood friend, Shinbei, who is now wealthy and appears not to remember Zatoichi. Shinbei seems to be interested in repaying the villagers' debts, but is, in reality, manipulating the ownership of a now valuable rock quarry. Zatoichi learns of the subterfuge and confronts his old friend, who has a score of yakuza swordsmen backing his play.
Zatoichi and the FugitivesZatoichi and the Fugitives · 1968
Zatoichi and the Fugitives
★ 7.01968
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi runs afoul of some evil fugitives, working for a corrupt law official.
Zatoichi on the RoadZatoichi on the Road · 1963
Zatoichi on the Road
★ 6.91963
MovieAdventureAction
Zatoichi is sworn to protect the life of a young girl and without any real allies finds himself in the middle of a bloody turf war.
Adventures of ZatoichiAdventures of Zatoichi · 1964
Adventures of Zatoichi
★ 6.71964
MovieAdventureAction
Blind swordsman/masseuse Zatoichi befriends a young woman looking for her father, a village leader who has disappeared. As he helps her investigate the disappearance, Zatoichi also becomes involved with another young woman who is trying to help her brother, who has murdered someone at about the same time and place as the missing man was last seen.
Yokai Monsters: 100 MonstersYokai Monsters: 100 Monsters · 1968
Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters
★ 6.61968
MovieHorror
A greedy developer, in league with a corrupt Shrine Magistrate, brutally tries to drive people out of a tenement building and destroy the shrine in back. But he makes the fatal mistake of hosting a 100 Ghost Stories ceremony without the closing cleansing ritual, opening the door for the Yokai Monsters to punish the wicked.
DaimajinDaimajin · 1966
Daimajin
★ 6.51966
MovieHorrorFantasy
A giant stone statue comes to life to protect the residents of a small town against the depradations of an evil warlord.
Yokai Monsters: Along with GhostsYokai Monsters: Along with Ghosts · 1969
Yokai Monsters: Along with Ghosts
★ 6.41969
MovieFantasyHorror
In feudal Japan, gangsters chase a young girl who might testify against their boss. When the gangsters murder the girl's grandfather on sacred ground, the door is opened for the Yokai Monsters to step in.
Sleepy Eyes of Death 3: Full Circle KillingSleepy Eyes of Death 3: Full Circle Killing · 1964
Sleepy Eyes of Death 3: Full Circle Killing
★ 6.21964
MovieMysteryDrama
A decapitation at the hands of the shogun's monstrous misbegotten son kicks off the action and draws nomadic Nemuri Kyoshiro (Raizô Ichikawa) into more sword-fighting adventures when he's blamed for the beheading. Meanwhile, the head-chopper's mother is busy knocking off the shogun's lawful heirs to secure the shogunate for her son.
Chiyoda Castle in FlamesChiyoda Castle in Flames · 1959
Chiyoda Castle in Flames
1959
MovieDramaHistory
A historical drama that tells the story of a simple girl, Chizuru, who entered the imperial palace as a maid and rose to the top because of her love affair.
Fūraibō ichiban shōbuFūraibō ichiban shōbu · 1958
Fūraibō ichiban shōbu
1958
Movie
Tenryū no karasuTenryū no karasu · 1959
Tenryū no karasu
1959
Movie
Beni azamiBeni azami · 1959
Beni azami
1959
Movie
Haha shirayukiHaha shirayuki · 1956
Haha shirayuki
1956
MovieDrama
A child who was taken in and raised by a woman from a once-impoverished traveling theater troupe grows up to be a beautiful young woman and performs in a dance recital. Her biological mother, who suddenly appears, is the wife of a wealthy man.
New Tengu from Mount KuramaNew Tengu from Mount Kurama · 1965
New Tengu from Mount Kurama
1965
MovieActionAdventure
The film is set in Kyoto at the end of the Tokugawa period, when there is a fierce clash between the supporters of the Emperor, who are fighting for the overthrow of the Shogunate, and the Shinsengumi squad, who are chasing them. Suddenly, a mysterious masked warrior appears, on a white horse he is called Tengu from Mount Kurama and he opposes the Shinsengumi.

More Like This

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianThe Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian · 2008
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
★ 6.62008
MovieAdventureFamily
One year after their incredible adventures in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan Pevensie return to Narnia to aid a young prince whose life has been threatened by the evil King Miraz. Now, with the help of a colorful cast of new characters, including Trufflehunter the badger and Nikabrik the dwarf, the Pevensie clan embarks on an incredible quest to ensure that Narnia is returned to its rightful heir.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver SurferFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer · 2007
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
★ 5.62007
MovieScience FictionAdventure
The Fantastic Four return to the big screen as a new and all powerful enemy threatens the Earth. The seemingly unstoppable 'Silver Surfer', but all is not what it seems and there are old and new enemies that pose a greater threat than the intrepid superheroes realize.
Outrage CodaOutrage Coda · 2017
Outrage Coda
★ 6.82017
MovieActionCrime
Five years after the all-out war between the Sanno and Hanabishi crime families, former yakuza boss Otomo works in South Korea for Mr. Chang, a noted fixer. When tensions rise between Chang and the Hanabishi, and Chang's life is endangered, Otomo returns to Japan to settle things once and for all.
The Bourne SupremacyThe Bourne Supremacy · 2004
The Bourne Supremacy
★ 7.32004
MovieActionDrama
A CIA operation to purchase classified Russian documents is blown by a rival agent, who then shows up in the sleepy seaside village where Bourne and Marie have been living. The pair run for their lives and Bourne, who promised retaliation should anyone from his former life attempt contact, is forced to once again take up his life as a trained assassin to survive.
The Bourne UltimatumThe Bourne Ultimatum · 2007
The Bourne Ultimatum
★ 7.42007
MovieActionDrama
Bourne is brought out of hiding once again by reporter Simon Ross who is trying to unveil Operation Blackbriar, an upgrade to Project Treadstone, in a series of newspaper columns. Information from the reporter stirs a new set of memories, and Bourne must finally uncover his dark past while dodging The Company's best efforts to eradicate him.
Weekend at Bernie's IIWeekend at Bernie's II · 1993
Weekend at Bernie's II
★ 5.11993
MovieComedyCrime
Everybody's favorite stiff is back! Working fools Larry Wilson and Richard Parker have uncovered a dirty, little secret: Their former boss, Bernie Lomax, embezzled $2 million and placed it in a safe deposit box in the Caribbean. Now, the boys are ready to go after the loot, but they can't do it alone -- they need poor Bernie's help. Can the buddies give their ex-boss new life?
Superman IISuperman II · 1980
Superman II
★ 6.81980
MovieScience FictionAction
Three Kryptonian criminals led by General Zod team up with Lex Luthor to conquer Earth, forcing a depowered Superman to regain his strength and stop them.
Mad Max 2Mad Max 2 · 1981
Mad Max 2
★ 7.41981
MovieActionThriller
Max Rockatansky returns as the heroic loner who drives the dusty roads of a postapocalyptic Australian Outback in an unending search for gasoline. Arrayed against him and the other scraggly defendants of a fuel-depot encampment are the bizarre warriors commanded by the charismatic Lord Humungus, a violent leader whose scruples are as barren as the surrounding landscape.
The Karate Kid Part IIThe Karate Kid Part II · 1986
The Karate Kid Part II
★ 6.41986
MovieAdventureDrama
Summoned by his dying father, Miyagi returns to his homeland of Okinawa, with Daniel, after a 40-year exile. There he must confront Yukie, the love of his youth, and Sato, his former best friend turned vengeful rival. Sato is bent on a fight to the death, even if it means the destruction of their village. Daniel finds his own love in Yukia's niece, Kumiko, and his own enemy in Sato's nephew, the vicious Chozen. Now, far away from the tournaments, cheering crowds and safety of home, Daniel will face his greatest challenge ever when the cost of honor is life itself.
Day of the DeadDay of the Dead · 1985
Day of the Dead
★ 7.01985
MovieHorrorDrama
As the world is overrun by zombies, scientists and military personnel in an underground Florida bunker must decide on how they should deal with the undead.
The Skulls IIThe Skulls II · 2002
The Skulls II
★ 4.62002
MovieActionThriller
After joining the Skulls, Ryan Sommers (Robin Dunne) is warned not to betray any secrets about the organization or its high-powered members. However, when Ryan witnesses a murder within the Skulls' private chambers, he finds that the closer he gets to revealing the truth - the more dangerous life becomes.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter