Usagi in the news?

[Andy]

My son has to do a current events report. He would like to do it about Usagi's 20th anniversary. The catch is the source has to be a "news" article, though it can be off the net. Does anyone know of any Usagi news he could use?

[Steve Hubbell]

Not sure just what you want... a couple possabilities pulled from the Dojoboard news forum:

I just heard from Editor Diana that UY 65 (Usagi & the Tengu) is nominated in the Best Single Issue category for the Eisner Awards. Also Autobiographix is nominated in the Best Anthology category.

The Eisners will be presented at Comic-Con International: San Diego in July.

Probably the most currant "news" concerning Usagi Yojimbo and Stan Sakai...

I've just been informed that UY Book 17: Duel at Kitanoji received a 2004 YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) Award. I just found out that two other books--Grasscutter and Grasscutter 2--received this award in 2002.

YALSA is part of the American Library Association.

Hopefully, this will lead to greater availability of Usagi books in library and bookstores.

This might be something that can be researched more in depth?

I'm the cover feature of this week's Pasadena Weekly. A nice surprise since I was told I would just be one of the features. If you would like to see it, link onto:

http://pasadenaweekly.com/

Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2003

This one is a basic community interest type article...

[Andy]

That link no longer leads to the Stan story, but to the current feature story. I could not find it in their archives either. All of this news would be great for his project, but the source has to be a news provider.

[Steve Hubbell]

The awards suggestions were subjects to possibly search for current news articles under... There have been a lot of aricles about Stan Sakai and Interviews, but little in the way of "news" coverage beyond the brief mention of winning or nomination of misc. awards.

A lot depends on hat the definition of a "news provider" is... and does the article or news have to be currant?
http://www.azcentral.com/ent/movies/art ... tor27.html

There was a piece in the LA Times about Stan years and years ago, which is still in their archives, but it costs to access it.


I never checked the Pasadena Weekly link to see if it was still good. Sorry...

[Andy]

Thanks for the suggestions. We am doing searches on the different topics. So far, no luck. But thanks a lot!

[steven hubbell]

How is the current events article coming? Ran across this and wondered if it was useable...

http://www.absolute-0.com/the_pr/2004/d ... 2-2004.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 2, 2004

Celebrate 20 Years with Usagi!
Usagi Yojimbo Volume 18: Travels with Jotaro


Throughout his journeys across feudal Japan, rabbit ronin Usagi has faced many dangers, crossed paths with some who have become his sworn enemies, and forged bonds of friendship stronger than any threat that might cross his path-but now he does it with young Jotaro at his side! This volume of internationally acclaimed Usagi Yojimbo collects issues #61-68 of the multi-award winning ongoing series, and continues the adventures as "Uncle" Usagi struggles with keeping a secret from Jotaro that everyone else seems to know. Not only do their travels bring the perils of the Neko Ninja (in hot pursuit of Chizu, ex-leader of their clan and friend to Usagi), they also have a close encounter with a new and deadly organization-the Koroshi League of Assassins. The beautiful thief Kitsune is up to her old tricks, and Usagi relates a story from his youth about a goblin swordmaster. Finally, an evil artist targets Jotaro with a possessed ink set in the three-part "Sumi-E" story, which features the return of Sasuké the Demon Queller!

o Parents' Choice Award winner.
o National Cartoonists Society Award winner.

Usagi Yojimbo: Travels with Jotaro features story and art by Stan Sakai. The softcover trade arrives June 9, with a retail price of $15.95. The limited edition hard cover featuring a signed and numbered tip-in-plate arrives in stores June 30 with a retail price of $59.95.

------------------------------------------------------------

Abayo

[john h.]

Here's an article from a news provider, but it's not current. (2001)

http://starbulletin.com/2001/07/15/features/story6.html


Honolulu Star-Bulletin newspaper.

http://starbulletin.com



John H.

[Andy]

Thanks so much, guys, for your help! Dan just handed his paper in yesterday. But we have printed out all the articles for future reference. There's a lot of material he could use for future assignments for other classes.

[steven hubbell]

Kon nichi wa,

Just wonderin' if a copy of Dan's paper can be posted to the forum for all us Usagi fans can read and enjoy?

Abayo...

[daniel wales]

this is my report


Daniel Wales
Social Studies 6-8
Current Event Report
April 21,2004

“Cartoonist Stan Saki celebrates 20th anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo”

On February 29, 2004 the Emerald City ComiCon (a comic book convention) was held in Seattle, Washington. The main feature of this convention was the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo, a comic book character created by Stan Sakai.
To celebrate the year, Stan Sakai says he has “published a hard cover coffee table type book” and a lot of other merchandise will be available this year. At the conference he also celebrated by giving autographs and quick sketches for free.
Usagi Yojimbo is Japanese for “rabbit bodyguard”. The inspiration for this character came from Myamoto Musashi, a real person from Japan’s history. Musashi was concerned the ideal role model of what a samurai should be like. He tried to live by the bushido, or the code of the warrior. Usagi is a ronin, or masterless samurai in 17th century Japan. Stan’s ancestors came from Japan, but he is a third generation Japanese-American.
If you read this comic book, you will learn about the mythology, history, and culture of Japan. Since I’ve started reading Usagi Yojimbo, I’ve learned about the ancient technique of making the odako, or giant kite. I’ve also learned about the weapons of the time, such as the daisho, or twin swords of the samurai, and the naginata, the curved bladed spear, I’ve learned about the customs of the time, such as the games (han cho, a game of dice). The food (kibo dengo, or rice ball).

[steven hubbell]

Cool...
I would give it an A+...

Side note of interest...
In your research, did you come across the fact that Usagi Yojimbo has been used in at least one college course on Asain American Studies as part of the curriculum for the class.

http://ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~schon ... group.html

[daniel wales]

thanks