the songs of Zatoichi
text © Raj Arumugam, May 2008; pictures: Wikipedia
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Zatoichi: an introduction
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 Shintaro Katsu in Zatoichi Challenged (1967)
The Zatoichi series of films is about a blind swordsman with a reward on his head. Zatoichi is also an anma – a professional masseur and a consummate gambler.
Though blind, Zatocichi uses all his other senses with great ease and accuracy as he moves about alone in the countryside of feudal Japan.
The figure of the lonely wanderer becomes a very powerful symbol
in this series, as it is in much of world Literature and myth.
In his wanderings, pursued always by booty-hunters, Zatoichi endears himself to the common and honest people with his sense of justice and with his deep love, concern and respect for all people he meets.
Zatoichi is a fictional character and the Zatocihi series is legendary in Japan and has a huge international following.
Zatoichi is a skillful swordsman and wields his shikomizue (cane sword) with deadly accuracy.
The following verses are inspired by two films I’ve seen in the series.
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the songs of Zatoichi
text © Raj Arumugam, May 2008; pictures:
alone but wanted
with a price on his head
blind but perfect in all his other senses
the masseur and master swordsman wanders
across the countryside of Edo Japan;
ah, poor Zatoichi,
though just and caring
though fair and loving
the unjust seek him out
for greed and violence is there in our world
and the past obscures the present;
for greed and violence is there in our world
and always the past obscures the present
a)
where will my next meal come from?
I do not know…
perhaps from the arms of a tree
or the kind hands of an old mother
in a desolate shed
where will my next shelter be?
I do not know…
perhaps between rocks
or in a deserted cave
or in the store-room
of a village merchant
where will my next stop be?
I do not know…
and I do not worry…
b)
blind and rejected
but wanted with a price on my head
and pursuers after reward
really pursuing their greed and not justice
I can wield the shikomizue
when I have to;
my fingers as an anma
can make blood flow healthy within
and alas, my shikomizue
can make blood flow without;
do not come, fiends after rewards;
do not come, sons of mothers;
I have seen enough blood
I have enough blood in my veins
and no sword is ever good
note: anma (masseur)
shikomizue (cane sword)
c)
all I want is peace, quiet,
and my wanderings undisturbed;
all I seek is the smell of plums, the scents of the village
and the offerings earth provides
or the hospitality and kindness of a seeing person
what is it you want?
want nothing of me, stranger
what is it you want?
if you tell me sincerely you want justice
I shall go with you
where you can assure me I shall get justice –
but though you may lie to yourself
I can smell your lies
like a dog smells fear in a man:.
do not seek the reward on my head
all I want is peace, quiet,
and my wanderings undisturbed;
may you too go in peace, quiet
and your journey undisturbed.
alone but wanted
with a price on his head
blind but perfect in all his other senses
the masseur and master swordsman wanders
across the countryside of Edo Japan;
ah, poor Zatoichi,
though just and caring
though fair and loving
the unjust seek him out
for greed and violence is there in our world
and the past obscures the present;
for greed and violence is there in our world
and always the past obscures the present
the songs of Zatoichi
text © Raj Arumugam, May 2008; pictures:wikipedia
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Raj,
Great imagination and nice poem
kutty
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saw the movie again through your poems ( i have seen just one )
and can't help recollecting that I had first read your comment for a movie review .
am the richer for reading your words Raj-ji
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Matheikal -
He was wanted by the law. But local sheriffs who sees him let him go becasue there is an umderlying assumption that Zatoichi is innocent. and is a victim of an oppressive system.
The 2 films in this legendary series do not indicate the reason - just to keep it mysterious perhaps. But he's asort of Robin Hood figure.
The samurai calss was breaking down at that time, I think and according to the samurai code, one should commit hara-kiri if one does not have a master. Zatoichi does not have a master. Perhaps that was his crime. Or perhaps we can just assume, for the purposes of the story, that
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wow so beautifully written one Raj
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The feelings of the lonely man who is pursued by the selfish and the greedy come across powerfully in your series of poems, Raj. But I have not been able to understand really why the man is described as "wanted" - wanted by the police, or only by booty-hunters?
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Dear Friend Raj Arumugam
It is said the Dhritarastra, the King of Hastinapur of Mahabharat, was a great warrior despite being blind. But he was dissatisfied to be a king until his younger brother Pandu was, who was made king in his place, again disqualified for incurable disease. Then he was reinstated as king in his old age.
So such stories of extraordinary power of other senses are amazing.
Naval Langa
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