We’ll see another autumn-themed cover in our next post. I’d first like to note the falling autumn leaves in the background. Usagi understands duty and honor all too well, so decides it would be best if he take his leave and return to the road.īefore he leaves, Tomoe offers to host him in a tea ceremony. Her first duty is to her Lord, which leaves no room for any affection she may have for Usagi. However, thanks to the scheming of jealous rival Horikawa, the Geishu Lord is planning to order Tomoe into a politically advantageous marriage. The precise status of their relationship is not made clear to the reader. They escaped and ended up spending a lot of time together over the weeks that followed. They shared an ordeal on the Mother of Mountains, imprisoned and enslaved by Tomoe’s evil sister Noriko. His friend and ally on many adventures, the occasional looks in their eyes imply they could be more to each other. And Usagi meets no shortage of young ladies who find themselves smitten with his adventurous lifestyle.īut Tomoe is special. Chizu is head of the Neko Ninja, often at odds with Usagi, but also possessing a clear affection for him. Kitsune is a thief and close friend to Usagi. Mariko is his teenage sweetheart who ended up marrying his childhood rival, but who bears a child that resembles Usagi more than his own father. Usagi has met his share of ladies along his adventures. Tomoe is partially inspired by the 13th century samurai warrior, Tomoe Gozen. They quickly developed a mutual respect for each other’s honor and prowess, and became allies and friends. It was way back in Albedo #3–the second Usagi story from 1985–where Uasgi met Tomoe, samurai retainer to Noriyuki, child Lord of the Geishu Clan. The short lesson and sudden transition from the history of the swords to Usagi’s rage underscores how special these blades are, both because of the precision and care needed in crafting them, and because of their spiritual significance. That level of rage may not make sense to a modern audience. While it could easily seem like an aside, the point of the rather long lesson is to help us appreciate just why Usagi is so angry when his swords are stolen.
It’s a 7-page lesson in the craft of Japanese sword-making, from mining the ore to forging the sword to finding the right bearer of the sword. Take this sequence about the making of Usagi’s swords. It all ties into the drama and narrative, usually rather seamlessly. What’s impressive is that no scene is purely educational. We might learn a little about kite-making. Through Usagi’s adventures, Stan often imparts to us a bit of knowledge about traditional Japanese culture. Usagi continues to wander alone across the nation– over mountains, deep into valleys, through towns and farmlands, and along rugged coasts–searching for harmony. Chief among them is Lord Hikiji, who, with his secret army of ninja, plots to overthrow the new government and set himself as Shogun! Usagi has made many allies on his road–including Tomoe of the Geishu Clan, Gen the bounty hunter, and Zato-Ino the blind swordspig. A small number, Usagi among them, traveled the Musha Shugyo to hone their spiritual and martial skills. Many of these ronin turned to banditry to survive others found work with minor lords or the emerging merchant class. The Shogun’s peace came upon the land, and samurai warriors found themselves suddenly unemployed. It was during the Battle of Adachigahara that samurai Miyamoto Usagi lost his Lord Mifuné to the armies of Lord Hikiji.įinally one leader rose above the others and was proclaimed Shogun. The close of 16th century Japan is regarded as the age of civil wars, as feudal lords fought amongst themselves for land and power. I was going to attempt to begin with a summary of Usagi’s story, but I realize I can’t do any better than the summary that opens the first Dark Horse issue, meant to serve as a starting point for new readers.
#Farming dark yojimbo series#
Sakai has found new publishers every so often, moving from Fantagraphics to Mirage, then to almost 30 years with Dark Horse before recently starting the fourth Usagi series with IDW. Usagi stories first appeared in various anthology comics such as Albedo and Critters before he finally got his own ongoing series published by Fantagraphics. A ridiculous number of comics made almost entirely by a single individual. Stan Sakai has been writing, drawing, and lettering the adventures of Usagi Yojimbo for 38 years and counting. That is the nature of friendship, but more is revealed over time. Even between good friends, there are things that are hidden.
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