While Zatoichi is repeatedly referred to as a masseur in the English subtitles, the Japanese term Anma would be more correct. Anma was both the term used for the practice and the generally nomadic practitioner of Japanese massage. In fact, edicts were passed so that massage was solely a vocation for the blind, forbidden to be learned by any with sight.
This is the seventh of 26 films to star Shintarô Katsu as Zatoichi.
This film belongs to the jidaigeki (period drama) genre, while also being a chanbara (sword fighting) film.
The hat which Zatoichi is seen with in the film is a sandogasa. Translated this means 'travel hat'.
Zatoichi's katana is a shikomizue. This is a sword which is concealed within a wooden cane, thus the cane itself is both handle and scabbard.