Season 3

1978

Jan 1, 1978 · 45m

A married woman selling medicine becomes overly attached to Zatoichi as they travel together and encounter many attacks.

E2. Spring Arrives for the Eyeless Daruma

Jan 8, 1978 · 45m

Three lowlifes kill a traveling masseur, who they think is Zatoichi. But Zatoichi finds the dying man and learns why he was killed. The masseur asks him to deliver his savings to Okumi, a circus performer in the next town.

E3. The Palanquin Wars of Tempo Period

Jan 15, 1978 · 45m

A couple of palanquin bearers help Zatoichi and he tries to repay their kindness when they run afoul of the local gang who is trying to take over the palanquin business.

E4. Firefly

Jan 22, 1978 · 45m

A young woman that Zatoichi is with asks him to take some money to her little blind sister in the town where he'll be going. Along the way he meets a doctor who claims he can cure blindness. Zatoichi decides to take the girl to the doctor.

E5. The Song That Struck Ichi

Jan 29, 1978 · 45m

E6. The Five Young Swords

Feb 5, 1978 · 45m

Five young dirt-poor villagers are determined to have a better life by any means possible. A woman of questionable motives tries to involve Zatoichi in the local gang for a cut of the action.

E7. A Long Time Ago

Feb 12, 1978 · 45m

A gang follows Ichi into a town of his childhood trying to kill him. A woman in the gang realizes that Ichi was her childhood friend. The gang holds all the children of the town hostage to force Ichi out.

E8. Here Comes the Masseur

Feb 19, 1978 · 45m

A child princess is being transported to become married but she has nightmares about marriage, wanders off with her dog, and attaches herself to Ichi.

E9. The Revolving Lantern

Feb 26, 1978 · 45m

A yakuza boss who stood up to corrupt government officials wanders the country with a price on his head, guarded by his lieutenant. The lieutenant knows his boss's days are numbered and searches for a solution.

E10. The Winter Sea

Mar 5, 1978 · 45m

A young, gravely ill artist takes up with Zatoichi along with a repentant would-be gang member. The artist spends her days drawing Zatoichi.

E11. Traveling with a Child

Mar 12, 1978 · 45m

A young boy hands Ichi a note asking him to take the boy to his grandfather. They happen on the boy's father being attacked and Ichi disarms the attackers but not before the father is mortally wounded.

E12. At the Outbreak of the Rain

Mar 19, 1978 · 45m

A former prostitute from Zatoichi's past awaits her execution from someone she betrayed. Meanwhile she spurns Zatoichi's attempts at friendship.

E13. The woman who Betrayed Chuji

Mar 26, 1978 · 45m

A man and woman who had a complicated relationship with Chuji, one of Zatoichi's old bosses, come across Zatoichi while being pursued.

E14. A Dream at the Awa Festival

Apr 2, 1978 · 45m

Zatoichi meets a boy who is going back to live at his ancestral home after both his parents died. But the boy's appearance causes confusion at the home. And Zatoichi is pursued by a single-mindedly vengeful woman.

E15. The Sound of Crying Bells

Apr 9, 1978 · 45m

A blind knife thrower succumbs to the insinuations of a devious man trying to steal his wife.

E16. The Naked Crybaby Assassin

Apr 16, 1978 · 45m

A kind and honest but cowardly government official, grateful for Ichi's help, befriends him but is asked to betray him.

E17. The Prostitute Flower on a Foggy Night

Apr 23, 1978 · 45m

A woman steals money and pays for her prostitute sister who is dying of tuberculosis to have a few days of rest. But greedy bosses and dishonest cops make things difficult.

E18. Road of Manure

Apr 30, 1978 · 45m

A blind man accosts Zatoichi because he was mistaken for him and almost killed. The blind man's companion has some shady deal with a priest. But no one is above suspicion.

E19. The Gift of the Letter 'Eye'

May 7, 1978 · 45m

An orphan boy befriends Zatoichi and takes him home to meet his adopted family. Zatoichi's love of children brings happiness to all. However, things never go that smoothly for our hero.