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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: dianas@dhorse.com Web: http://www.darkhorse.com
UsagiYojimbo
Dojo: http://www.usagiyojimbo.com
IRC: Dalnet #USAGI
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STORY NOTES New swords were often tested for strength and sharpness on the bodies of beheaded criminals. The corpses were either suspended from a rope or laid on a mound of sand. There were eighteen prescribed cuts ranging in difficulty from the ryo kuruma ("pair of wheels") across the hips, to the sodesuri ("cutting the sleeve") in which a hand was lopped off. Lesser blades were tested on bundles of straw. |
Sakai-sensei,
I am a rabid fan of Usagi Yojimbo and have been since the first comics series started at Fantagraphics Books. Usagi Yojimbo influenced me at an early age and got me interested in Japanese language, history, and culture. So, in the fashion of the stoic old lady beholding the lack of meat in a hamburger, from the Wendy's commercials of yesteryear, I must ask you, "Where's the gaijin?" I'm sure this question has been put forth to you many times, but I would like to hear the answer for myself.
I'm a bit of a Japanese historian by hobby, thanks to you, and I realize that most of the trade and interaction that happened with foreigners during the 16th and 17th centuries was confined almost exclusively to northern Kyushu. Jesuits didn't have much of an impact on Buddhism, save for northern Kyushu, but they did have an impact nonetheless – enough of an impact to have Hideyoshi expel them from Japan in 1587. So I guess my real question is, do you plan on having any gaijin (foreigners) make an appearance in your story? I know you hinted at their existence in "The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy," [UY Book 4] with the teppo (arquebus), but do you plan on them having any further impact on Usagi's life either directly or indirectly?
Joshua Ford
fathead@cybertronic.com
As you said, foreigners were restricted to certain cities such as Nagasaki. They were not allowed outside these areas without armed escorts, and even their movements within the cities were carefully regulated. It was treason for an ordinary Japanese citizen to have any interaction with "barbarians." You can see the difficulty in plotting a story in which Usagi meets a foreigner. However, I do have a couple over the horizon. They will just take a while.
Dear Stan and Diana,
I just wanted to write and let you know how pleased I was to see that UY and Stan are up for so many Eisners: Best Serialized Story ("Grasscutter" [UY Vol. 3, #13-22 and UY Book 12]), Best Anthology (Trilogy Tour II Book), Best Writer/artist, Best Lettering (Usagi Yojimbo, Sergio Aragonés' Groo, Sergio Aragonés' Boogeyman, Sergio Aragonés' Dia de los Muertos).
As a sort of celebration, I decided to reread "Grasscutter" today. Even though I still have quibbles – I would have loved it if the revelation that Inazuma had inherited Jei's soul had been made a left-hand page rather than a right, strengthening the impact – this story was especially good at showing the scope of Usagi's adventures and his land. Over the years, Stan, you've created enough supporting characters to fill almost every need – and when you need someone new, you create someone as wonderful as Ishida.
Looking forward to "The Courtesan" [UY Vol. 3, #28-29] next week (wait, that doesn't sound good).
Ben Varkentine
benvarkent@aol.com
This is a good time to thank the Eisner committee for the many nominations. The awards will be presented at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Friday, August 13.
Sakai-sama,
Since his debut in "Blade of the Gods," Jei has fascinated and delighted me. I accept the fact that he is gone, but I don't have to like it! I had always kind of hoped that he and Usagi would have some kind of run-in that would release him from his demonic state. Saaay, here's an idea – how about a story about Jei (narrated by Priest Sanshobo, of course) in his pre-demonic life? I can't help but notice that Jei dressed like all the other monks in Sanshobo's order. Is that a coincidence? I hope not. I like to entertain the notion that poor old Jei was at one time a priest. After all, aren't the words for "priest" and "spear teacher" the same in Japanese? Also, could you please explain the staff carried by priest Sanshobo (and the even cooler one in "A Meeting of Strangers"). Didn't the medium in Rashomon have a similar one? Please explain the office and garb of a bonze.
Jay Stigdon
yamabushi_j@hotmail.com
I'm working on a Jei origin story that will answer your questions.
A bonze is a Buddhist priest. I have done a couple of stories about them, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to explain their garb in detail.
[Come celebrate Usagi's 15th birthday! we'll be having a party for our favorite rabbit ronin at the Dark Horse booth at Comic-Con International: San Diego, complete with free Usagi posters, finger puppets, balloons, and trading cards – not to mention Usagi's creator, Stan Sakai himself, who will be on hand to talk to fans and sign autographs! The con is held August 12-15; check in at the DH booth or the Dark Horse website for the specific day and time of Usagi's birthday party, and we'll see you there! – Diana Schutz]
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"Usagi Yojimbo", 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.