An Introduction to the Cast of Usagi Yojimbo: GRASSCUTTER

MIYAMOTO USAGI A lone ronin who is on the warrior's pilgrimage to hone his skills with the daisho, the badge of the samurai. One of the most adept samurai in Feudal Japan, Usagi seeks a peaceful existence. However, news about a conspiracy to overthrow the Shogun and reinstate the Emperor as the divine ruler over all of Japan has him searching for answers... Answers which may lead him straight to the treasure of the Imperial Regalia, the divine and sacred GRASSCUTTER sword.

JEI-SAN Jei is a demon-possessed spearman hot on the trail of Miyamoto Usagi. He claims to be an emissary of the gods, and only by killing Usagi will he be able to join them. Jei travels with Keiko, an innocent little girl. What does their destiny have to do with the mysterious GRASSCUTTER sword?

LORD NORIYUKI Young Daimyo of the Geishu Clan, Lord Noriyuki, is a peaceful ruler over his people. He is also an ally of Usagi's and a supporter of the Tokugawa Shogunate. What could his role be in the GRASSCUTTER saga?

TOMOE AME As cheif retainer of the Geishu Clan, it is Tomoe's sworn duty to protect the life of Lord Noriyuki at all costs. A master of the Falling Rain style of swordsmanship, she is also one of Miyamoto Usagi's most trusted comrades. Many times have they fought together side-by-side for the good of the nation. Will fate lead them into battle once again in the epic GRASSCUTTER storyline?

SUSANO-O-NO-MIKOTO The God of Storms, it was Susano who fought the 8-headed dragon "Orochi" and found GRASSCUTTER. He looks a bit like Usagi... could he be an ancestor? And could that mean Usagi is descended from the...? (Don't tell Jei about this!!!)

GENNOSUKE Gen is a skilled bounty hunter who travels the warrior's road in search of profit. He is also a close friend of Miyamoto Usagi's. His current mission is to kill the demon-possessed spearman, Jei, and collect the bounty on his head. Unbeknownst to Gen, however, is Jei's mysterious connection with the deities, and his apparent immortality. Is Gen ready to meet his match?

PRIEST SANSHOBO Sanshobo was once a master samurai, and was admired by many for his courage and skill with the blade. Now he is a Zen priest, and seeks to purify his soul. As an ally of Miyamoto Usagi's, Sanshobo is a worthy fighter. What does GRASSCUTTER have to to with him?

CHIZU Chizu is the kashira (cheif) of the notorious Neko Ninja Clan, who were once Lord Hikiji's most feared assassins and spies. She has allied herself to Miyamoto Usagi many times in the past, and is a highly skilled kunoichi. Having been placed aside in favor of a new shinobi clan however, Chizu and her clan have adopted a new agenda. What twists of fate have tied her in with the mysterious legend of the GRASSCUTTER sword?

LORD HIKIJI The infamous Dark Lord Hikiji is plotting from the shadows once again. As the Daimyo of Mutsu Province, he has been a thorn in the heel of the peaceful Geishu clan for many years. Hikiji is a ruthless tirant who seeks to overthrow the Shogun and establish himself as the supreme military dictator over all of Feudal Japan, and will stop at nothing to reach that goal. What new conspiracy has he hatched this time, and what is his connection to the ancient GRASSCUTTER sword?

MINAMOTO YOSHITSUNE Hero of the Genpei Wars. In March of 1186 A.D., the epic war between the Minamoto and Taira Clan comes to a head at the Naval Battle of Dan-no-Ura. Minamoto Yoshitsune defeats the Taira forces by driving them to the sea. The sword GRASSCUTTER was thought to have been lost at sea during this famous battle... or so it was thought. And this Yoshitsune REALLY looks like Usagi. Could he be another ancestor?

INAZUMA Once the beautiful wife of a samurai-gone-bad, Inazuma turned to a life of violence when her husband was killed. A fierce female warrior with a bounty on her head, Inazuma fears no one. As an ally of Usagi, she travels that warrior's road. Lightning fast and adept with the blade, not just anyone can best her unorthodox style. But what is her connection to GRASSCUTTER?

OTHER PLAYERS

THE GODS: The gods were produced and many generations of various deities were born. In the seventh generation there came Inazagi no Mikoto, and his wife Inazami no Mikoto. Inazagi and Inazami stood on the Floating Bridge of Heaven and looked down upon the earth. They thrust a spear down, and found the ocean. The drops of water that dripped down coagulated, and formed the island of Onogoro-jima (lit. Spontaneously-congealed-island). They descended from heaven to dwell upon the island. They were born as mates, and known as the first people on earth. They married, and gave birth to the islands of Japan, to the sea, the rivers, mountains, and trees.

THE SHOGUN: The Tokugawa Shogunate has only recently established its power after a bloody civil war left the nation in political turmoil. The Shogun reigning at this time in history is Tokugawa Ieyasu, and he is the supreme ruler over all of Feudal Japan. However, there are some who would like to usurp his power...

THE EMPEROR: The Feudal Japanese spiritual leader is but a religious figurehead in the shadow of the all-powerful Tokugawa Shogunate. Believed by many to have been descended from the gods, the Emperor has many supporters who would fight for the chance to restore him to full power, and to eradicate the military government controlled by the Shogun.

THE CONSPIRACY OF EIGHT: A very mysterious ring of eight of the most powerful daimyo in the land who have sworn a blood oath to reinstate the Emperor as the rightful ruler of the nation. Oddly enough, is Lord Hikiji's absence from this ring of conspirators. Where then do Lord Hikiji's loyalities lie?

Prince Yamato Dake: Led an expedition against the eastern rebels in 110 A.D. armed with the "Murakumo-no-Tsurugi". When the Prince came to the province of Suguru, the rebels took him under the false pretense of hunting deer, and set fire to the fields with the Prince in the middle of the field. The prince saved himself by cutting the down the high grass with the sword. He found that the sword had magical attributes, as wherever he cut down the grass, the wind would blow in that direction. He made use of this fact, saving himself. The sword with which he defended himself henceforth was known as the "Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi".

Emperor Antoku: The boy emperor, Antoku-Tenno (of the Taira Clan) wore the Grasscutter into battle at Dan-no-Ura in 1186 A.D.. When all was lost, his grandmother, Nidomo, took him into her arms and jumped into the sea, where both perished. The sword was thought to be lost... but then again...