Dark Horse Comics Usagi Yojimbo #9            The Conspiracy of Eight  January 1997 (Click on the thumbnails to view full size cover art)

USAGI YOJIMBO LETTERS COLUMN
Send comments to: Usagi Yojimbo ~ Letters Column c/o Dark Horse Comics
10956 S.E. Main Street, Milwaukie, OR 97222
[E-MAIL] jamier@dhorse.com [www] http://www.dhorse.com
UsagiYojimbo Dojo: http://heart.engr.csulb.edu/~tbustill/usagi.html

Dear Stan and friends,

Wonderful job on Usagi Yojimbo #6 and 7. I didn't have the pleasure of meeting up with Inazuma in her first appearance, but now I find her to be one of my favorite UY cast members! It makes me happy to see a strong female role in the story line (along with Kitsuné, Chizu, and Tomoe) who manages to flourish despite any oppression she may face…

Anyway, forgive my ignorance, but who was the Priest-type guy that disappeared from Usagi's view on page 7? I don't think I've seen him before, but Usagi-san seemed a little anxious at the encounter.

In #7, in the end of "The Withered Field," I again got a bit confused…Koji-san told Usagi to inform Katsuichi-sensei of his challenge, but I was under the impression that Katsuichi had passed away. Is he dead, or am I making another of my ingenuous mistakes?

Well, the series this far is going very well! You have my appreciation.

Deanna Curry
Horseheads, NY
okaminochi@juno.com

It was pointed out to me that almost all my females tend to be strong characters. Two others are the old woman who wanted justice done in "A Mother's Love" [UY Vol 1, #8 and UY Book 3] and the peasant, Atsuko, who stood up to Usagi when he demanded she return a samurai 's sword in "Fire and Ice."

The priest-guy has never appeared before, and you'll have to wait a while for his story.

The story of Katsuichi's return was told in "Wind Over the Tombstones," the first part of the "Circles" story line (UY, Book 6 [and UY Vol 1, #28] ). He was pushed off a cliff when attacked by the Dogora Fencing School. He fell into a river and was rescued by Shunji, his current student.

Dear Stan,

I would first like to congratulate you on producing what is undoubtedly the best comic book in the business. I have long been a fan of Japanese literature and history; so, when I saw UY in the comic-book store I was naturally drawn to it. Yet, I didn't expect such realism! I was shocked. I was overjoyed!

Usagi galloping on horseback with the head of his lord…it was beautiful! The fact that you did not soften what was common practice during the tumult of Civil War made me truly respect your work. Your panels so easily conveyed what is sometimes so difficult to understand of a culture that is not your own.

My question for you is about Miyamoto Musashi: are there any books that have been written specifically about him? Like many of the warrior tales, he appears more as myth than fact. Could you recommend any books about the period, as well? If there are any criticisms about the books, I would only ask that you provide some type of reading list that would give more of a background on the period. Also, whatever books on Japanese mythology you could recommend, I would greatly appreciate it.

Again, thank you for producing such an incredible book. Enough praise cannot be given to someone who has given life again to tradition. The ancients would be proud.

Evan Flecker
West Caldwell, NJ

When I do extensive research, I usually include a list of references in my story notes.

The best book on Musashi is a book called Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa, who also wrote The Heike Story about the 12th century Civil War and Taiko about Hideyoshi and the wars of the 16th century. Inagaki's The Samurai Trilogy (Miyamoto Musashi, Duel at Ichijoji Temple, and Duel at Ganryu Island) adapts Musashi and is available on video. The best book on mythology that I found is Japanese Mythology by Juliet Piggott. If you want to get closer to the source and are not intimidated by footnotes, look for The Kojiki: Record of Ancient Matters and Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from Earliest Times to A.D. 697.

For a catalog of some books on Japan, send a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Heritage Source, P.O. Box 802542, Santa Clarita, CA 91380-2542.

For information on videos, contact Video Action, 708 W. First St., Los Angeles, CA 90012; (800) 422-2241 (from Alaska and California, call (213) 687-9262). Besides the Trilogy, they also carry Kurosawa's films, Zato-ichi, Lone Wolf, and others.

Dear UY :

UY is more than a story of a rabbit and his adventures or misadventures. Usagi lives in a very complex world – a world which deals with life and death, misfortune and fortune, defeats and triumphs. Instructor Ishii must prove to himself that he is the one who is the greatest, and he wishes to prove that with having a rematch with Usagi's former teacher. It sort of reminded me of great warriors or heroes of our past and how others in the sidelines tried to take that glory from them. We see it all the time – John Hinkley to prove his love for Jody Foster tries to take down Ronald Reagan; Mark Chapman, thinking that he was the true John Lennon, must eliminate the real John Lennon. These are recent events, but it goes deep into our past. I remember once sitting on Billy the Kid's grave in New Mexico and I thought how Pat Garrett had to prove to himself and the populace as a whole that he was the #1 gunfighter and lawman and was obsessed with taking Billy the Kid down. Whenever someone strives for greatness and succeeds, there is always someone lurking in the shadows to try and take that greatness away. Instructor Ishii must prove to himself and the populace as a whole that he is truly the greatest samurai warrior who has ever lived. The battle that pitted our ronin against the students was devastating – 16 students were slain. Peaceful talks are hardly ever fruitful and it usually always comes down to physical conflict. 16 students lost their lives due to ignorance. They sought out physical retribution and fell because of it. Instructor Ishii and Usagi fought well together, but I was horrified to see later that Usagi and Ishii go at it in a most vicious way and to see that Usagi almost lost his life. The message was driven in hard to Usagi that Ishii demands a rematch with his former teacher. This story was powerful and hard-hitting! It left me with deep impressions of how cruel mankind can be and with this is a razor-edged story that burrows deep within the souls of all of us! Stan Sakai again weaves a masterful tale with suspense, excitement, powerful action, mystery, and thrills! Standing ovation for UY! Before I go, I must say that the cover was absolutely gorgeous! A real eye-catcher! Take care, and I will be anxiously awaiting the next issue!

Paul Dale Roberts
Sacramento, CA
Silhouet@ix.netcom.com

Tom Luth has been doing an outstanding job on the cover colors. I'm surprised he isn't doing more work for other books.

[Editorial correction: It has been brought to my attention by several people that the address for the ultra-keen webpage, the Usagi Yojimbo Dojo, was given incorrectly in a recent issue. Well, it's my fault, kids, and I am truly sorry. The correct address is the one that now appears on our letterhead above, where it shall remain for the near future. If you want news on future or past adventures of Usagi Yojimbo, this is the place to go. You can scan the archives, enter contests, and receive regular newsletters by e-mail. It's all there, all for you. – Jamie]