Humans are sharper when blind

A village in early 40’s or 50’s in Japan which was haunted by gang wars, killings, heavy taxes and left freedom and security at stake. Fight between the two lousy gangs increased and deceased many of the followers and innocents. A highly skilled ronin enters the village and offers his service to one of the gang leader as a bodyguard. Meantime a visually challenged elderly samurai, Zatōichi also finds a place in the same village as a masseur. A geisha siblings joins the party as well seeking revenge to slain the murderers of their parents. Both the ronin and masseur did magic, wonders and consummate skills with their swords. They moved faster than light, they cut slice the enemies in a flash, their swords smelled blood, their swords spoke, invincible to be defeated and for masseur darkness was his medium of execution. Masseur says when a human is blind, he is sharper, and with the instincts of senses he attains deeper concentration, accuracy and clarity.

The masseur enters the gang courtyard and saves the geisha siblings and executes a blasphemy, makes a beeline to the ronin who was expecting him. He kills the ronin and leaves himself injured. In his court of darkness (justice), he is the god and destroyer. Shortly after the deadly massacre he kills the actual gang lord who has hidden his identity from the society and worked as helper in “sake” (Japanese drink) cafe, who was the actual mastermind behind the geisha sibling’s parent’s murder. He finally opens up his eyes and tells the slain boss that he recognized him at the first sight in the cafe. He then traipses and falls. He says “We fall, even if we open our eyes and walk”.

The movie is a composition of Takeshito Kitano’s directorial connoisseur, ecstasy, elegance and delicacy. No wonder why Quentin Tarantino was influenced by Kitano. He played the incredible role of Zatōichi in the movie which received unprecedented applause. In the movie he fudged the blood flushing out in the killing sequences with incredible graphic splendour. Since the release of the movie in 2003, it has been accepted widely in abroad.

For decades he has been a critical player in the Japanese film industry. He felt his presence in the industry as a director, actor, film editor, screenwriter, poet and painter. His movies are classic with extreme indulgence to silence, edgy dialogues, idiosyncratic themes and radiant action sequences. He uses the state of the art technology to push his movies. His creations have gifted the world of movies with character and silent charisma.

Good work Kitano, We honour you!!!!