Stan Sakai’s work in Usagi Yojimbo is infused with legends. The past comes back to haunt the characters, both in corporeal and fantastic forms. Kitsune uses her past relationship with Usagi to annoy Tomoe and distract her from Kitsune’s thieving ways. The sinister painter Goyemon uses the legend of Minamoto No Yorimitsu to enact a plot against Lord Noriyuki. In “Fox Fire” another legendary figure comes to life to make things difficult for our heroes.

Stan’s reverence for research is somewhat legendary. While the stories he tells unfold withy perfect clarity and even simplicity, an unseen wealth of background and historical knowledge gives every tale a slid grounding and structure that tie the overarching story together.

The lady samurai Tomoe, whose origins and character we learn in this volume, is an example of both legend and research. For a series that features anthropomorphic rabbits and foxes as main characters, there’s still a reality to Usagi that makes certain elements more “normal” than others. Giant snakes and demon foxes we can accept-but what about a female samurai who is a trusted adviser and bodyguard? Surely that is an invention-except that Stan’s noble feline warrior is based on Tomoe Gozen, a female samurai of the twelfth century who fought in the Battle of Awazu and decapitated at least one foe.

Of the fate of the historical Tomoe Gozen, many tales are told. Some say she survived the battle, others that she became a nun, others that she was taken in marriage. As with most “real legends,” the outcome may depend on the storyteller’s view of what constitutes a happy ending.

The stories in this volume bring together history, adventure, mystery, and good old-fashioned derring-do. But there is a bit more, as well. “Chanoyu” - or “Tea Ceremony” - is not only a meticulous depiction of the complex ceremony, but wordlessly shows repressed emotions throughout the ritual, a testament to Stan’s cartooning skills. But the story would not be so moving if he hadn’t done such a marvelous job of laying the foundations of the characters over years.

In the business of comics publishing circa 2007, the ongoing comic book series has become something of an awkward concession to a previous business model. To my mind, only a handful of ongoing comics live up to the potential of the serial form, and Usagi stands foremost among them. Without this ongoing serial format, Stan wouldn’t have had the time and momentum to create a great story like “Chanoyu.” With over twenty years of publishing and over twenty collections, there is much to savor in the recurring themes and variations, the pleasure of seeing old characters reunited, and the sorrow at seeing them part . . . for months or even years. Such a rich tapestry is only possible when executed with great storytelling and flawless cartooning skills. By now, Stan Sakai is becoming a bit of a legend himself.

HEIDI MACDONALD
NEW YORK, NY
MARCH 2008

“Usagi Yojimbo” and "Space Usagi", including all prominent characters featured in the stories and the distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of Stan Sakai and Usagi Studios. Usagi Yojimbo is a registered trademark of Stan Sakai.  Names, characters, places, and incidents featured in this publication either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events, institutions, or locales, without satiric content, is coincidental.