Are you a fan of the Zatoichi series? You don’t have to be a blind sword master to own a zatoichi sword. We carry high quality stick swords that will not disappoint Zatoichi enthusiasts and sword collectors. Want the same red lacquered weapon that Zatoichi carries in his screen adventures? We have accurate reproductions from various makers, giving you more than one option. Want something a little different? We have zatoichi samurai swords in other colors and styles, from full bamboo to natural hardwood. Most models feature top quality carbon steel blades; some have been sharpened, and others are handmade.
Whether you’re a fan of the Zatoichi series or just want to own a sleek, unobtrusive blade, you can’t go wrong with zatoichi Japanese swords. These stick swords may not be suitable for fighting crime like our favorite blind hero does with his, but they are ideal for personal collections and gifts.
The shikomizue, literally "prepared cane", is a sword disguised as a cane or a walking stick. It is more commonly referred to as the zatoichi sword in colloquial language, with its name coming from perhaps its most famous user, Zatoichi.
Zatoichi is the protagonist of one of Japan’s longest running movie and television series, the story of which is set in the Edo period. He is a seemingly harmless blind gambler and masseur who travels around Japan and earns a living by gambling, giving massages, singing, playing music, and performing acupuncture. But looks can be deceiving, as secretly, he is also a highly skilled swordsman with superb fighting abilities.
Zatoichi is a force to be reckoned with in both gambling and sword fighting. He has an extraordinary sense of hearing, which allows him to win big amounts when gambling, catch loaded dice, and identify whether the dice have fallen odd or even just by the sound. He is trained in iaido and sumo wrestling, and can even wield two swords at the same time.
Zatoichi is a protector of the innocent, fighting yakuza gangs and putting an end to general injustice. He carries a zatoichi sword instead of more conspicuous samurai swords like the katana, though he is capable of using one as well. Stick swords are generally inferior to katana, but Zatoichi’s was built by a master bladesmith, hence it is a high quality weapon.
In real life, zatoichi swords were worn by Japanese government officials during the Meiji period (1868-1912) when the carrying of swords was prohibited. They were also popular among samurai as they could be carried out in public without arousing suspicion from others. Zatoichi Japanese swords are similar to European swordsticks, with a full length blade hidden in a tsue (cane-like mounting). Some shikomizue did not only conceal blades, but also stored other items such as chains, hooks, and various blinding devices referred to as metsubushi.
Aside from the Zatoichi series, stick swords can also be seen in more recent media. Zatoichi swords have made appearances in the manga and anime shows Rurouni Kenshin and Bleach; and the video games Samurai Shodown and The Last Blade. In Bleach, Kisuke Urahara’s zanpakuto is a zatoichi sword named Benihime (“Crimson Princess”), when in its sealed state. In the film Kill Bill, O-Ren Ishii and Johnny Mo both use weapons that are similar to zatoichi swords. O-Ren’s wears a contemporary scabbard while Johnny’s is twin swords with wood hilts.
