Click here to visit our new site --> CafeDVD 2.0 Zatoichi: Blind Swordsman 1 - The Tale Of Zatoichi (1962) Rating: Starring: Shigero Amachi, Shintaro Katsu, Chitose Maki, Masayo Mari, Gen Mitamura, Ryuzo Shimada, Eijiro Yanagi Director: Kenji Misumi Category: Action / Adventure, Avant Garde, Foreign Studio: Home Vision Subtitles: English Length: 96 mins     This is the movie that introduced the legend of Zatoichi and its star Shintaro Katsu, ushering in a new era of the Japanese samurai film.Practicing his trade as a masseur in a small province, Zatoichi finds himself caught in a turf war between rival yakuza gangs.Aware of Zatoichi's reputation as an undefeatable swordsman, yakuza leader Sukejoro tries to hire him - unsuccessfully - as a mercenary.But it's too late.The other gang leader, Shigezo, hires a warrior with an equally fierce reputation to challenge Zatoichi.Thus the legend of Zatoichi begins with intensely choreographed battle scenes and an expertly crafted story.