I first stumbled across the Zatoichi films back when IFC used to do “Samurai Saturdays.” I was hooked in short order.
Although the first few were in black and white, the remaining series got the most from color and incredibly beautiful composition and framing. Every frame seemed like a still photo.
The anti-hero character of Zatoichi was the epitome of “walk softly but carry a big stick”, and was a perfect folk-hero for a nation still licking its wounds from its stunning defeat twenty years earlier.
Beautiful films that have held up very nicely, even with the passage of time.
I usually don’t even notice those things like cinematography and for the first few Zatoichi films I never appreciated it. Then for some reason I did begin to notice it and you are right, it is first class.
Another movie which has great cinematography is the 1930’s movie “Edge of the World” Even in B&W you can see the beauty of that Scottish Island.