Zatoichi and the Chess Expert

On a boat trip to Honshu, Zatoichi meets Jumonji, an expert shogi player and swordsman. The two size each other up, their mutual respect masking a growing rivalry. This first encounter foreshadows the tension to come.

Shortly after arriving on Honshu, a group of men who tried to cheat Zatoichi at dice attempt revenge. Zatoichi swiftly turns the tables in a brutal yet controlled tussle, leaving his would-be attackers defeated. The incident shows his ruthless skill and willingness to protect others.

In the confusion, Miki is injured, and Zatoichi goes to great lengths to procure the medicine needed to cure her. He navigates danger and bargaining to secure a remedy. The incident deepens his resolve to care for Otane's family.

After treatment, Miki recovers and sincerely thanks Zatoichi. Her gesture stirs strong emotions in him, leaving him visibly moved and unsettled. The moment underscores the personal cost of his wandering life.

The group travels to Hakone to use the hot springs to aid Miki’s healing. Otane accompanies them, and the journey introduces new guests and tensions. The hot springs setting frames the retreat-like atmosphere where secrets begin to surface.

At Hakone, young lord Sasagara, his sister Kume, and their retainer Roppei arrive. Roppei is the only one who could identify the man who killed their father, and the stakes rise as this information emerges during a heated game of shogi. The tournament atmosphere intensifies the conspiracy surrounding the murders.

Otane admits growing feelings for Zatoichi, complicating the bond with Ichi’s own past love for a woman named Otane who is now dead. Zatoichi remains silent about his unresolved emotions. The personal tensions mirror the external threats closing in.

Roppei is found dead, strangled with wire while in prayer. A fishing float is discovered at the scene, a clue that casts suspicion on Jumonji. The murder magnifies the danger and blurs loyalty.

Zatoichi continues to study Jumonji’s moves through their ongoing shogi games, using each game to uncover patterns. Jumonji has won two of their three contests, heightening the tension between them. The dual between mind and blade escalates toward a confrontation.

The brother and sister reveal a distinctive quirk of the man who killed their father—rubbing his nose and snapping his fingers. This trait helps Zatoichi narrow the suspect to Jumonji. The revelation marks a turning point in the investigation.

The verbal shogi duel culminates in mounting tension as Zatoichi and Jumonji escort Otane and Miki. The atmosphere is thick with suspense, and the idea of a checkmate becomes a metaphor for the looming showdown. The impending clash drives the next sequence of events.

Climax unfolds as the confrontation erupts into a duel. Zatoichi reveals the fishing float, exposing Jumonji’s guilt. He wounds Jumonji but refrains from killing him, while Sasagara and Kume arrive and threaten to take vengeance.

Sasagara and Kume arrive to enact vengeance, adding to the confusion. Zatoichi chooses to depart, sparing further bloodshed as the siblings bow to him. Miki’s thanks echo as the danger recedes.

As Zatoichi walks away, he hears Miki calling out, and he softly returns her earlier thanks with an arigato. The moment closes the arc with tenderness amid the violence. He continues his wandering, carrying the memory of her gratitude.