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USAGI YOJIMBO LETTERS COLUMN
Send comments to: Usagi Yojimbo ~ Letters Column c/o Dark Horse Comics
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UsagiYojimbo
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STORY NOTES Usagi first encountered a kappa in a story aptly entitled “Kappa” ( UY Book 2: Samurai). The kappa of folklore resemble monkeys, but with fish scales or a tortoise shell instead of fur. They are greenish in color and as tall as a ten-year-old child. The kappa are known to have the ability to heal broken bones, and they can impart this knowledge to humans. They have an indentation on the top of their heads, filled with water. If this water spills out, the kappa immediately lose their power and become helpless. Kappa are vampires and live in rivers, ponds, and other water sources. They are extremely cunning and will entice their victims into the water to be drowned. These creatures have a fondness for cucumbers and can be placated by potential victims writing the names and ages of family members on cucumbers and throwing them into the water where a kappa lives. Despite their despicable habits, they are unusually polite and honorable. When meeting a kappa, it is advised that you bow, as is the tradition. Many times the kappa will return your bow, spilling his water and losing his strength. You can then extract a promise of safety or knowledge, that he is obliged to keep. Information on the kappa was found in Japanese Mythology by Juliet Piggott, published in 1969 by The Hamlyn Publishing Group, Ltd., London, New York, Sydney, Toronto. |
Dear Mr. Sakai,
I recently started reading Usagi Yojimbo, and I love it. You are my favorite author and artist. I have read Grasscutter, Grey Shadows, and Books 1 and 5 [from Fantagraphics].
The stories about Inspector Ishida were great. I’m eager to read some more Usagi comics after my next trip to the local comics shop.
I read online about some of your upcoming stories, but can you tell me about any other upcoming issues? Also, are you going to make another trade paperback soon, after The Shrouded Moon?
By the way, who is your favorite artist?
Oliver Conroy
37 Central Ave.
Montclair, NJ 07042
Inspector Ishida seems to be a favorite with a lot of readers. I have a few more Ishida mysteries plotted out, but the focus of the series will remain on Usagi and Jotaro for a while.
The next collection, UY Book 17: Duel at Kitanoji, is scheduled for September.
One of my favorite artists also happens to be one of my best friends, Sergio Aragonés.
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We’ve received a lot of great Usagi fan art recently, so at Stan’s request, we’re including some here. |
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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 authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events, institutions, or locales, without satiric content, is coincidental.