Ichi/Ken Matsudaira returns to the home village after 20 years to see his foster mother/Tamao Nakamura. The village has been divided in two opposing groups because of the conflict for the mining rights of granite and the newly opened gambling hall is escalating the conflict. The stormy tale begins when Ichi and the bodyguard Hirata/Makiya Yamaguchi of the gambling hall encounter each other.
35th anniversary of his becoming an entertainer Ken Matsudaira chose to honor his mentor, the legendary superstar Shintaro Katsu by portraying Zato Ichi, the Blind Swordsman in a play based on the original film on the same stage that Katsu had played the role 40 years before in a stage presentation. Not pleased with the direction that Zato Ichi’s image had been taken in some productions, he has breathed new life into the character by following the image that Shintaro Katsu had created for his signature role. Adding authenticity, the cast included both Katsu’s widow Tamao Nakamura and their son Ryutaro Gan. Coupled with a terrific performance by Yamaguchi Makiya as the tubercular master swordsman Hirata, this major event for fans of Zato Ichi is not to be missed! As a note, all sword action by Ken Matsudaira was performed with his eyes closed, just as Shintaro Katsu would have wanted!
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