Zatoichi has a distinguished reputation as a swordsman and Sukegoro thinks he is money well spent .
The blind masseur Zatoichi is hired by yakuza gang - leader Sukegoro ( Eijiro Yanagi ) as he thinks that war is inevitable with the rival yakuza Shigezo ( Ryuzo Shimada ) .
Zatoichi has a distinguished reputation as a swordsman and Sukegoro thinks Zatoichi is money well spent .
The blind masseur Zatoichi is hired by yakuza gang - leader Sukegoro ( Eijiro Yanagi ) as he thinks that war is inevitable with the rival yakuza Shigezo ( Ryuzo Shimada ) .