Miramax purchased the U.S. rights to film Zatoichi's Pilgrimage a number of years ago. Apparently, director Quentin Tarantino was interested in directing a remake. Not long after this, Japanese director Takeshi Kitano created his own updated version of the series, The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003), which was released to theaters and DVD in the U.S. through Miramax. The future of Tarantino's version is uncertain. Also uncertain as a result of this was a U.S. DVD release of the original Zatoichi's Pilgrimage, until Criterion released it on DVD and Blu-ray as part of a complete series box set in 2013.
Thirty seven years later Michiyo Yasuda who played Kichi, Zatoichi's love interest in this film, was cast in the role of Aunt Oume, the lady who gave Zatoichi a place to stay, in Takeshi Kitano's award winning remake The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003). The role earned her a 2004 'Award of the Japanese Academy' nomination for 'Best Supporting Actress'.
A DVD with the title "Zatoichi's Pilgrimage" was released in the UK, but the actual film on the disc is not "Zatoichi's Pilgrimage" but another entry in the series, Zatoichi at Large (1972).
Zatoichi's katana is a shikomizue. This is a sword which is concealed within a wooden cane, thus the cane itself is both handle and scabbard.
The traditional Japanese high wooden sandals which Zatoichi wears in certain scenes of the film are known as geta. The two large 'teeth' on the soles are called ha, while the sole which the foot rests upon is called dai (stand).
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
