"That's him." "Take care of him." "Shut up." "It's wrong to steal." "Ofall the kinds of stealing, highway robbery is the worst." "What did you say?" "." "Why, you're blind!" "We don't need a masseur here." "Get lost whileyou can still enjoy the light of day." "Daylight is lost on a blind man." "Why, you" "You're dead!" "Blind bastard!" "Hello." "Excuse me." "Taichi." "Is that your name?" "." "I am Tamekichi." "Tamekichi is your name?" "." "Take this toTaichi." "The killer is probably the man I passed earlier." "His dying words were the names Tamekichi and Taichi." "Butwho are they and where do they live?" "." "I don't have a single clue." "If I leave this with the body, somebody is bound to take it." "I should take it with me." "ZATOICHI'S VENGEANCE" "Original story by KAN SHIMOZAWA Screenplay by HAJI ME TAKAIWA" "Starring:" "SHI NTARO KATSU" "SHIGERU AMACHI MAYUMI OGAWA and KEI SATO" "Directed byTOKUZOTANAKA" "Thatwas good." "How much do I own you?" "." "Yes, sir." "Thatwill be exactly 200 mon." "Here is your tea." "You dropped something." "Thank you." "Here you go." "Thank you very much." "Thank you very much." "I see." "Hewas caught cheating." "That's why they went after him." "Since it's dirty money, I might as well benefit from it." "Excuse me, could you help me?" "." "Which way is the main highway?" "." "As you can see, I'm blind." "So am I." "I am blind, too." "You are?" "." "I was born blind, but you weren't." "I believe you were able to see" "until you were five or six years of age." "Are you really blind?" "." "You don't believe me?" "." "You're a priest who plays the biwa." "You have very thick fingers." "That's because I'm a masseur." "I see." "But you have strange calluses for a masseur." "Biwa priest, how did you know" "I was not blind from birth?" "." "Your senses are sharp." "Sharp enough to let you walk the streets." "But it was clear you didn't notice me" "until you stopped walking." "I sensed your presence when you were still 100 yards away." "By the way, I'd like to ask a favor of you." "What is it?" "." "To tell you the truth, I'm starving." "In my lifetime I have met all kinds ofblind men." "But I have never met one like you." "Am I that different?" "." "You are indeed." "Your alertness is not that ofa normal blind person." "That is why the blind fear you and will not befriend you." "And normal people only look down on you as a cripple." "Therefore, you're not at home among blind people nor among normal people." "You're an in-betweener." "An in-betweener?" "." "A strange creature who belongs to neitherworld." "Thank you for the treat." "It was very good." "I'd best be on myway now." "Biwa priest, where are you headed from here?" "." "I am going to Ichinomiya." "What kind oftown is that?" "." "It's quiet and peaceful." "There are no gamblers there." "Does such a place still exist?" "." "Their annual festival starts tomorrow." "It's famous for its thunder drums." "So you plan to make some money at the festival." "No, I play biwa for my pleasure." "It doesn't matter whether I have an audience or not." "So sometimes I earn a little money, and other times I don't." "As you know, I've had no money since yesterday." "Good-bye." "He stuffs himself at my expense, then calls me a strange creature." "Which one of us is really the strange one?" "." "Maybe I'll go to the same town." "Ouch!" "Watch where you're going!" "Sorry, little boy." "That's all right." "You cowards!" "You're a plucky little thing." "Taichi, look at the dirt on your kimono!" "Taichi, come home this minute!" "Change your kimono right now!" "Your grandson's name is Taichi?" "." "Yes." "He's such a mischievous boy." "Where is his father?" "." "He's not here." "Is he called Tamekichi?" "." "That's his name." "How did you know that?" "." "Do you know him?" "." "Yes, some time ago he used to request my services on a regular basis." "So where is he, then?" "." "That's hot!" "Where is my father?" "." "Atsuta." "Atsuta in Owari?" "." " What is he doing?" "." " He is, er" "I'm sure he's up to no good." "Ifhe had stayed at Joshuya Inn, he would be a full-fledged cook by now." "Actually, he has become a full-fledged cook." "Is that true?" "." "Yes, it is." "He is the head cook at a very large restaurant." "Is that so?" "." "When will my father come back?" "." "When?" "." "Well, er" "If you behave yourself and be a good boy" "and listen to your grandmother, he should be home soon." "Isn't that good news?" "." "The gods are watching over us." "I almost forgot." "Tamekichi asked me to give this to you." "Tamekichi sent me money?" "." "And so much!" "Thank you, Tamekichi." "I don't want to hear any excuses." "shut up!" "You said that last time." "How can you do this?" "Don't be rough on a weak old man." "Ifihe would listen, we wouldn't be rough on him." "T aichi, what is going on?" "." "They're from Gonzo's clan in Itabana." "Gonzo of Itabana?" "." "No respectable boss should be terrorizing upstanding people." "I heard there were no gamblers in this town." "That it was a quiet town." "It was until a while ago." "Even the county governor would skip his annual inspection now and then." "So Gonzo of Itabana saw an opportunity to establish himself in this town." "He didn'tjust establish himselfin town." "He extorts money from the merchants in this town" "just to permit us to continue running our businesses." "Extorts money?" "." "Haven't you had your business here a long time?" "We all have." "So he shows up out of nowhere" "and makes demands where he has no claim." "He must be rotten to the core." "There is a stubborn old man at Joshuya Inn." "He kept our spirits up by saying that as long as he had breath," "he would not let them have their way." "But the violence of Gonzo's men gradually escalated." "One by one, each merchant, just like his neighbor before him," "paid 50 ryo or 100 ryo to buy back his own business." "Only three merchants are still holding out." "This Gonzo ofltabana" "is a despicable fellow." "The thunder drums have started." "Since you're in town, go and enjoy the festival tonight." " Thank you, but..." " Let's go." "I'll take you." "Come on." "What's wrong?" "." "Do your ears hurt?" "." "My ears also serve as my eyes," "so the drums seem much louder to me." "Excuse me." "Forgive me." "I'm a blind man." " What?" "." "You're blind." "Forgive me." "Let's go." "Excuse me." "Taichi." "When you grow up, don't make fun of handicapped people." "What's that?" "." "Although these men may look human, they're less than animals." " Blind bastard!" "See?" "." "That isn't the face ofa human being." "Taichi." "Let's go now." "Here we are." "Will you stay with us tonight?" "." "I have to earn some money." "I'm going to walk around the town." " I'll be waiting." "I must have been guided to this town" "by Tamekichi's spirit." "As soon as I make some money," "I'd dowell to leave this place." "Hey, there!" "Up here, masseur." "Can you come up?" "." "The door's over there." "I am called Cho." "Miss Cho, I'm on my way." "Forgive me for saying this, but I didn't expect to find this kind of place here." "It opened just six months ago." "Is that so?" "." "So it's brand-new." "That's right." "Excuse me, Miss," "but why does a beautiful woman like you have no customers?" "." "Stop flattering me." "You can't even see." "I may not be able to see, but I know." "And not only a person's face, but her heart too." "You're lying." "No, I'm not lying." "I see deep into people's hearts on account of my blindness." "If that's the case," "you should know why I don't have any customers." "Miss, you are expecting someone you love tonight." "Masseur, it is said that even insects have spirits." "So a whore may be allowed to feel like a real human being once or twice a year." "Did you come here for the festival?" "." "Yes, sort of." "Too bad." "You're out ofluck." "Why is that?" "." "The town will be in an uproar tonight." "An uproar?" "." "You can predict that?" "." "I can." "There never used to be fights in this town." "The governor didn't even bother to make his rounds here." "Then a whorehouse opens, and soon young men visit it regularly, like addicts." "With sake and women, they begin to go astray." "Then in comes Boss Gonzo ofltabana to plunder everything." "So this place is also owned by Boss Gonzo?" "." "Not directly, but it's connected to him." "So you see," "we whores are his advance guard." "Miss." "Haru." "Wait, master." "This should cover Haru's earnings for one night." "What?" "." "You've got your money." "What's the problem?" "." "This will do for tonight, but will you pay for her tomorrow night, too?" "." "What a strange whore you are!" "I'm sorry." "It's all right." "Go and get some sleep." "Thank you." "We'll worry about tomorrow when it comes." "Good night." "Miss, you are a kindhearted woman." "Please stop that." "When you stare at me like that, my cheeks get all hot." "Have some sake." "Thank you." "I will." "That was good." " What are you going to do now?" "." " What do you mean?" "." "Are you staying in town?" "." "No, I'm planning to go to Shimonita tonight." "Don't do that." "It's pitch-dark outside." "Dark or light, it doesn't matter to a blind man." "If you like, you can stay here." "Don't jest with me." "I'm not." "I won't charge you." "Did that sound arrogant coming from a common whore?" "." "No, not at all." "Shall I massage you a bit more?" "." "No, that was enough." "All right." "Then I'll take my leave now." "Oh, dear." "All my money was in the purse." "I am sorry, but take this for your service." "I can't take this." "You can pay me next time." "Nonsense." "You're going to Shimonita tonight." "There will be no next time." "You're right." "Then I accept." "I suppose we'll never meet again." "Excuse me." "Miss, please take care." "Thanks." "What does someone like me have to take care about?" "." " Here." " Is that Haru?" "." "Thank you." "Isn't Miss Cho a kind woman?" "." "Yes." "Take care." "Good-bye." "Haru." "Is there an inn nearby?" "." "There is one, but they're choosy about customers." "Who is it?" "I'd like to stay for the night." "Please come in." "I'm sorry about the late hour." "Come in." "Father, we have a customer." "Welcome." "Please have a seat." "The stoop's right here." "We're rather shorthanded, so forgive our limited service." "All I need is a bed to sleep in." "Thank you." "I can handle this." "Sir, please leave." "You will have to find another inn." "But it's too late to find another." "I wouldn't mind staying in a storeroom or at the end ofthe hall." "You're not welcome here." "Is it because I'm blind?" "." "I don't allow gamblers here." "You understand what I mean." "Master Ichi!" "Is thatTaichi?" "." "Uncle, this is the man who brought the money from Father." "Grandma, he's here." "Master Ichi, where have you been?" "." "Father is turning him away." "Wait!" "You are a stubborn, ignorant old man." "He brought the money I just gave you" "to pay off my son's debt." "Come in." "Don't listen to him." " You're sure it's all right?" "." " Sure." "Don't mind him." "In his heart he doesn't mean to turn you away." "Thank you." "Taichi." "You shouldn't touch that." "Tsuyu, get his bed ready." "Taichi, you go help her." "He's going to protect us from Gonzo." "It's true." "He's strong!" "You'll be amazed when you see him handle a sword." "This way." "Thanks." "Your bed is ready." "Thank you very much." "Have a nice rest." "Good night." "Sleep well!" "So here I am, still in this town." "I should leave early tomorrow." "You think you'll be able to?" " Who is that?" "." " It's me." "The biwa priest?" "." "You startled me." "You shouldn't do that." "Didn't you just say something?" "." "I did." "You will not leave here tomorrow." "Trust me." "Trust you?" "." "This is not the kind of town I'd want to stay in for too long." "Besides, biwa priest, isn't it rude to address someone while you are lying down?" "." "How do you know I'm lying down?" "." "Your voice comes from down near the floor." "You laugh." "Why do you laugh?" "." "Because what you say and what you do" "are completely different." "Don't be so mysterious." "Tell me straight out what you mean." "You don't want to stay here too long, but you find an excuse to stay longer." "An excuse to stay longer?" "." "Didn't you display your swordsmanship against Gonzo's men?" "So that's what you mean." "They were so vicious and relentless" "that it made me mad." "What do you mean to do with the boy?" "." "What do you mean?" "." "Children are attracted to the strong." "You made a display ofimasterful sword work in firont ofithe boy." "Now he's fiilled with admiration fior you." "I fiear you may have corrupted the boy fior good." "A child's mind is pure and without blemish." "But once it is stained," "it is not easy to cleanse that stain." "Then... what should I do?" "." "I do not know." "Thi nk hard." "You must undo the damage you've done." "Help!" "Please don't take my wife!" "Don't take her!" "She will die!" "Pay up ifyou want your wife back." "It is only 80 ryo." "Don't be cruel." "She's sick!" "What do I care?" "." "I'll pay." "You will?" "." "Are you sure?" "." "Don't do it!" "Forgive me." "I can't let my wife suffer." "Please forgive me." "If only Master Ichi were here." "Uncle!" "Gonzo has come with his men!" "No more breaks for you, old woman!" "What do you say, old woman?" "." "So what if I'm an old woman!" "Grandma!" "Shame on you for bullying an old woman!" "Excuse me." "Blind man, what do you want?" "." " I came to ask for mercy." " Mercy?" "." "Please don't be rough with them." "What?" "." "They can't make a living if you take this teahouse from" "Shut up!" "She'll have to pay up to stay here!" "Master Ichi!" "Taichi, stay back." "We don't need any blind men here." "Get lost!" "Is this the blind man?" "." "Are you the boss?" "." "Please forgive my insolent behavior with your men yesterday." "I can't forgive you." "Stop it!" "Master Ichi!" "Get out ofthe way." "Let me go!" "I'll give you 50 ryo." " All right." "Some trouble you gave us." "Bring it by 1 0:00 tonight." "I will." "Boss, now there's just one left." "Auntie, I lent him an old kimono." "I apologize for the bother." "Thank you." "I'm sorry I got you mixed up in our problems." "Forgive me." "It was my own doing." "See, we shouldn't have let him stay." "It's a little late for that now." "Have some tea." "Where is Taichi?" "." "Taichi." "So you won't pay?" "." "Of course not." "My dislike for gamblers runs deep." "I'd rather die than have my inn turned into a gambling joint." "I see." "So you'd rather die?" "." "Come with me." "Wait!" "Didn't you get enough, you blind idiot?" "." "What are you doing?" "." "Bastard, you want to die?" "." "Masterlchi!" "Master Ichi!" "Is that you, biwa priest?" "." "Alas, now you have killed." "And in front ofTaichi, too." "What else could I do?" "." "One hour's cold will spoil seven years ofwarming." "You don't have the sense to understand." "I'm not as wise as you are." "Masterlchi!" "Master Ichi!" "Taichi." "Master Ichi." "Ask him to stay here for good." "Yes, please do." "Hello." "May I help you?" "." "Is there a whorehouse around here called Fujinoya?" "." "Go straight down this road" "and turn left at the end ofthe street." "Is there a woman called Cho there?" "." "Miss Cho?" "." "Masseur, do you know her?" "." "Not really." "This is the second time we have met." "We may meet yet again." "Why have you come?" "." "It's too late." "Maybe so." "But I can't just leave you here." "What are you going to do?" "." "I'm going to take you home." "What a joke!" "You put me in this situation." "Now you want me back?" "." "You can't be serious." "Thinking back, it was a mistake to believe I could be a samurai's wife." "But back then I had fallen head over heels for you." "I couldn't help it." "For a lowly barmaid, it was like a dream come true." "Shino." "My name is Cho now." "The woman called Shino is no more." "Forgive me." "I know I'm to blame, but I've been looking for you to take you home." "For nearly three years I have searched from Boshu to Joshu." "You wasted your time." "Please, come home with me." "I could get back on my feet if you" "Stop it!" "In three years I have sunk to the very depths." "I want to make amends for" "The Genpachiro Kuroda that I knew three years ago was a lazy drunk," "but he still had the spirit of a samurai." "You don't have that anymore." "You're nothing but a wandering beggar." "A beggar?" "." "Can you deny it?" "." "Why did you come?" "." "You've destroyed my fragile dream" "that someday I might find happiness." "Leave me." "I neverwant to see you again." "Even a beggar can start over." "I have finally found you." "I will never be parted from you, Shino." "I don't want you!" "Go now." "Leave me." "While her original debt isn't paid, the interest just keeps on growing." "How much does she owe you?" "." "Let me see." "She owes me at least 50 ryo." "Fifty ryo?" "I warned you not to be shocked." "Whose turf is this town?" "." "Beginning with this festival, it will be the turf of Boss Gonzo of Itabana." "Gonzo ofltabana?" "." "I will bring the money within two days." "Who are you?" "." "This is Itabana" "I've come to see Boss Gonzo." "You must be Boss Gonzo." "Do you have any work that would suit me?" "." "I need 50 ryo right away." "I will do anything for 50 ryo." "I am a good swordsman." "Fifty ryo is a bargain." "I'm sorry, but those who offer unsolicited service are most often useless." "Useless?" "." "I suggest you leave now." "I am talking to Gonzo." "Come on." "Fifty ryo is not a bad deal." "What do you say?" "." "You're hired." "Kill the blind man at Joshuya Inn." " The blind man?" "." " Do you know him?" "." "I saw his sword work in Takasaki." "He killed seven men, each with a single stroke." "He is a swordsman ofthe Muraku school." "Fifty ryo is too little for killing him." "I just couldn't stand by" "while those helpless people were beaten." "Of course not." "If you just stood by, you would be less than human." "Biwa priest, first you said I shouldn't have drawn my sword." "Now you say of course I should have." "What are you trying to say?" "." "I meant what I said both times." "No doubt it is beyond your comprehension." "That was delicious." "There is no moon tonight." "You're right." "Shall I play for our parting?" "." "Our parting?" "." "Though we're both here today, we never know what tomorrow may bring." "Behold this ever changing world" "As flowers bloom and leaves change color" "A man's lifie blossoms only once" "Like a flower a man fiades" "A flower takes time to bloom" "Yet its end comes too soon" "I t's been years si nce I felt this way when I played." "A string broke while you were playing." "Yes, it did." "You cannot play biwa if you just depend on the strings." "And if you depend only on your hidden sword," "you will not live long." "I will be killed one day?" "." "Biwa priest." "You may see better than normal people do," "but there's one thing you didn't see so well." "This." "I know that is an ordinary cane." "You betrayed your anxiety" "with your breathing." "I was... scared." "But... without the hidden sword, I don't have to kill." "Miss, you shouldn't drink so much." "That's not your concern." "What will you do tonight?" "." "I was able to help you last night," "but I don't have any more money." "That's all right." "You fool!" "Run away." "Flee from here." "Any place is better than here." " But" " Listen to me.Just go!" "You understand?" "." "Why didn't you kill him?" "." " That biwa player." " A biwa player?" "." "You wouldn't understand." "Are you getting cold feet?" "." "No, I'll kill him." "I need 50 ryo no matterwhat." "He's extremely agile." "There is one way to hinder him." "His hearing." "Hearing?" "." "His ears?" "." "For him, his hearing is everything." "We'll use the drums." "I see." "Ifhis hearing is hindered, he can't fight." "Master Ichi." "Is that Haru?" "." "I don't know his name, but a samurai came by." "Miss Cho must have been happy." "But he didn't stay long." "Really?" "." "Are you going somewhere?" "." "Miss Cho told me to go find happiness." "She told you to run away?" "." "I see." "I can't be of much help, but buy a sweet cake with this." "Thank you." "Master Ichi!" "What's the matter?" "." "Grandma is" "Grandma is" "Why are you doing this to me?" "." "Shut up, you old hag!" "Good evening." "Masseur... don't make a move or the old woman will die." "Grandma!" "I understand you perfectly well." "Taichi." "Wait in my room." "Tsuyu, take him." "Boss Gonzo." "What do you want me to do?" "." "It's simple." "Agree to two conditions and I will free her." "Let's hear them." "First, you must give up this inn." " Don't do it!" " Shut up!" "And the second condition is that you hand over your sword." "What do you say?" "." "You can have this inn." " Don't!" " Shut up, old woman!" "And the blind man?" "." "You're very sensible." "Come on." "Blind bastard!" "Get outside." "Master Ichi!" "Taichi, come here." "Master Ichi!" "Nicework." "I have nothing personal against you, but I must kill you." "Is it for money?" "." "I need 50 ryo desperately." "Fifty ryo?" "Is there no otherway than this?" "." "No." "None at all?" "." "None." "I may end up killing you." "Though it's just a job for money," "I found a worthy opponent." "Shall we go?" "." "What will we do now, Boss?" "." "There's no turning back now." "Boss, he's here!" " Who?" "." " The blind man." "Excuse me." "Is Boss Gonzo here?" "." "Is something wrong?" "." "It's awfully quiet around here." "Is that Boss Gonzo?" "." "Sorry for the late hour of my visit." "I thought you might be too busy to see me once day breaks." "What do you want?" "." "No need to raise your voice." "My hearing is still fine." "Something smells good." "When I smell sake," "I can't help it-- my nose starts to itch." "Please, allow me." "That's good." "Boss Gonzo, have some to mark our acquaintance." "This sake is a bit salty." "What is your business?" "." "I'd like you to give me something." "Give you what?" "." "The 420 ryo you collected from the seven merchants." "I'd like you to return that money to me." "What?" "." "I'm sure you have" "You won't give it to me?" "." "You have quite a bit here." "In that case, with this much stashed away," "a mere 400 or 500 ryo" "will not be a big loss to you." "Get out when you're done." "There's one more thing." "One more thing?" "." "Fifty ryo for Master Kurobe." "What?" "." "Have you forgotten?" "." "Master Kurobe said you agreed to it" "and that I could collect the money for him." "That's only if he completes the job." "The job?" "." "I see." "So you hired Master Kurobe" "for this job you just mentioned." "That's right." "But he didn't do his job." "He didn't?" "." "That's not good." "All right, then." "Since I'm already involved," "how about ifl do thejob in his place?" "." "Boss Gonzo, what is thejob?" "." "Could it be, for instance, to kill someone?" "." "Boss Gonzo, please tell me what it is." "It's no longer necessary." "Is that so?" "." "Then you wouldn't mind ifl take the 50 ryo?" "This is 50 ryo." "Thank you." "I nearly forgot." "There's more?" "." "Please lend me three ryo." "Take as much as you like." "Drop your swords!" "I don't know how to thank you." "Everyone will be so happy." "I Thank you on their behalf." "Don't thank me." "The money was yours to begin with." "Joshuya wants to thank you personally, too." "No, please." "I must leave soon." "And... actually..." "I borrowed these three ryo" "from Tamekichi's wallet earlier." "I'm sorry." "You're so honest." "There's something else." "It's about Tamekichi." "I know." "He's dead, isn't he?" "." "He was a worthless louse, but he was still the only son I had." "I knew it from our first meeting." "Please raise Taichi well." "Miss Cho." "Oh, dear, she's drunk." "This is from Master Kurobe." "Kurobe?" "." "What do I care?" "." " Miss Cho!" " Leave me alone!" "Leave me alone." "THE END"