The Blind Menace

Before Zatoichi, the iconic one-eyed, gambling masseur-swordsman, Shintaro Katsu played another visually impaired character in the 1960 Japanese classic film, The Blind Menace, known as "Shiranui Kengyô" in Japanese. Directed by the accomplished Kazuo Mori, this entrancing jidaigeki (period drama) represents a captivating exploration of cunning, deceit, and revenge.

The Blind Menace's principal character, unlike the gallant Zatoichi, is Suganoichi, a nefariously selfish and shrewd blind man portrayed by the multi-talented Shintaro Katsu. Contrasting the righteous nature of future characters by Katsu, Suganoichi is a conniving mastermind, using his physical limitation as a tool to exploit and deceive others. The performance from Katsu is compelling, demonstrating his vast range and capacity as an actor: the audience is both disgusted and intrigued by his character's amoral and vile actions.

In the film, Suganoichi is initially introduced as a masseur, a common profession for blind individuals in feudal Japan. However, beyond his seemingly simple occupation, he is a swindler, a manipulator, and a killer. He uses his blindness to gain the trust and pity of individuals, only to turn it against them. His character draws a portrait of a man whose lack of sight has made him cruel, ruthless, and relentless in his pursuit of power and wealth.

Toru Abe stands out equally, playing an essential role as a corrupt official, reflecting the pervasive dishonesty and manipulation prevalent in that era's society. He acts as a powerful foil to Suganoichi, their scheming and treacherous interactions serving as some of the movie's most gripping and unnerving moments.

Mieko Kondo adds another dimension to the film through her portrayal of a woman entangled in the web spun by Suganoichi. Her performance shines as she embodies a character representative of the era's constrained women and their painful dependency on men's whims—yet she also injects inherent strength and resilience into her role.

Under Kazuo Mori's direction, The Blind Menace is beautifully choreographed, creating a sense of tension and suspense through careful framing, storytelling, and atmospheric cinematography. The aesthetically arranged black-and-white visuals blend well with the vivid characters and the intricately woven narrative. Stylistic choices like the use of shadow, light, and sound aid in portraying Suganoichi's world, reflecting both the perspective of a blind man and the moral darkness enveloping all characters.

The Blind Menace delves deep into human nature's darker side, investigating the depths people can descend driven by ambition and greed. While certainly a film filled with moral ambiguity and reprehensible characters, it never fails to engage the audience, primarily through the performance of its lead actors and its compelling narrative. The screenplay, penned by Minoru Inuzuka, and the music by Toru Takemitsu only augment this dark historical drama's appeal.

As a cautionary tale about the abuse of power and desperation for social ascension, The Blind Menace also offers a biting social commentary on feudal Japan's political and social structures, laying bare the corruption that lay beneath. It's a historical drama that does not shy away from presenting its characters' grim realities, offering insights into human psychology and societal structures of the time.

The Blind Menace, while gruesome and shocking at times, is ultimately a captivating film: it pulls you into its wicked narrative, leaving you pensive and reflective about the human condition. It's a seminal film by Kazuo Mori that shouldn't be missed, especially by fans of jidaigeki films or Shintaro Katsu's stellar performances. It provides a deep, mythical study of a character who, despite his physical blindness, preserves a keen eye for manipulation, laying down stepping-stones towards the creation of the widely-acclaimed Zatoichi character. Although segments of the film can be confronting, its overall narrative offers an entrancing exploration of human nature's darker facets wrapped up in the aesthetics of feudal Japan, making it a timeless cinematic piece.