IFC actually had Zatoichi on early in the morning. Pre-commercial IFC. There was this one were he fought in a snow storm in village in the late 60’s I think that blew my mind after work and a few beers. Tremendous stuff.
Freegards
I actually own all 26 of the original Zatoichi films, even the elusive #14 “Zatoichi’s Pilgrimmage.”
I’m on I think my 4th time back through all of them, just finished #4 last weekend. I love that stuff. My wife is half Japanese and she hates samurai films but I can watch that stuff and read the subtitles and never even notice. It distracts me not at all, I love Japanese films. And all martial arts films actually, I have a monster collection.
You know, his brother Tomisaburo Wakayama is in at least one of the Zatoichi films, more famous for “Lone Wolf and Cub” series.
I can go on like this for hours :)