Zatoichi is a
blind beggar/masseur with acute senses and unbelievable
sword fighting skills. He is also the most popular character within the martial arts film
genre in
Japan.
The Zatoichi films are a mixture of humour coupled with well-choreographed action.
Zatoichi must appear to be a buffoon until evil and corruption cause him to reveal the depth of his skills.
As he wanders entertainingly throughout Tokugawa era Japan, Zatoichi encounters corruption and rights wrongs with the thin rapier concealed in his blind man's cane.
In all, there were 26 films "Zatoichi" series, all of which starred Shintaro Katsu, who also played the role in a television series.