Zatoichi: The Fugitive (座頭市兇状旅 or 'Kyojo tabi') is a 1963 Japanese Chambara film directed by Tokuzo Tanaka starring Shintaro Katsu as the blind masseur Zatoichi, originally released by the Daiei Motion Picture Company (now known as Kadokawa Pictures). Zatoichi: The Fugitive is the fourth episode in the 26 part film series devoted to the character of Zatoichi.
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Ichi (which is the main character's name, Zato being the lowest rank in the Todoza) enters a local wrestling match and through his skill, is able to defeat and embarrass his sighted opponents. These same opponents, however, are part of a local Yakuza gang, and seek to reclaim their honor by claiming Ichi's life. Meanwhile, Ichi stays at an inn in the town and comes across a woman he carried passionate feelings for, and possibly still does by the name of Otane (whom Ichi affectionately calls Tane). Tane, unforunately for Ichi, now married to a quick tempered ronin named Tanakura. Tanakura displaying his prowess, but also as an act of showing Tane belonging to him, cuts Ichi's tea cup in half. In response, Ichi cuts a sake bottle in half while it is still being held, but Tanakura establishes himself as Ichi's "rival" in this film[1] because of his act.
The local Yakuza gang, that Ichi defeated in the initial wrestling scene, hires Tanakura to kill Ichi. Tanakura, after becoming aware of his wife's harbored romantic feelings for Ichi, uses Tane as a means of ambushing Ichi in an abandoned house, where the Yakuza and Tanakura lie in wait. Tane is unfortunately killed in the ambush, and the act infuriates Ichi. What soon follows is one of the most critically revered duels in the Zatoichi series.[2][3]
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