Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

I doubt that any of you know me, so I'll introduce myself.

Hi, I'm Alori.

Now, onto my question.

As a new reader of Usagi Yojimbo, and having only been able to locate the later half of the books that are out, I have been unable to understand why everyone thinks Tomoe is really awesome. Sure, I think she's great from what I've read (Shades of Death, Brink of Life and Death, Grasscutter and on), and it's easy to see she's got some amazing sword skills, but I don't understand her at all, to be truthful.

I'm also somewhat confused by what seems to be a lot of Tomoe/Usagi shipping going on around this site. When all of the books I've read focus on Chizu/Usagi.

Perhaps I'm just weird and nieve, and thus should be immediately silenced by a chorus of "YOU KNOW NOTHING"s. (Which is perfectly fine. I'm used to it.) But if you all could give me your reasons for having such interest in Tomoe, perhaps I'll begin to see a wider picture of the Usagi Yojimbo universe.

I guess what I really want to know what makes the fans smile when they hear her name.

Though, I do have a theory that it has something to do with Space Usagi.

Thanks, all.

^_^/

PS: I'm not upset at all by spoilers, but if you could avoid them that would be nice.

I (for one) am fairly sure they are in love with each other but just deciding to not acknowledge it

Tomoe has proven herself in a man's world (especially one as violent as 17th century Japan) and is a complex character. Just my opinion having read all of Usagi's stories. There is... something about her for sure that just seems to appeal. Probably the fact she can get away with yelling at Usagi for starters. Because, as said above, I'm certain really they are long past being just merely friends

For me, the main draw to Tomoe is her namesake. She is based on the real life female samurai Tomoe Gozen. As a fan of Jessica Amanda Salmonson's novels, I find Tomoe simply intriguing. For more info on Gozen, visit our Tomoe Ame Website, located at http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/other/tomoe/index.html
I've also reprinted the info below at the end of this post. My #2 draw is her character design. Simply put, she looks awesome.

As far as the Usagi comics go, she was also the very first supporting female character introduced (Lone Rabbit and Child), represents the epitome of Bushido (DBC), is a strong-willed female role model (Tomoe's Story), and is highly skilled with the blade (Usagi's equal -- as pointed out in Tomoe's Story). She is probably the most significant female character in the series, even moreso than Mariko. So if you're a long time reader, that means quite a lot. I'm not sure if you've read UY Book 1: The Ronin, or Book 4: Dragon Bellow Conspiracy, but if not go out and get 'em. You should also try UY Color Special #1: Tomoe's Story (if you can find it) to read her origin story, which I found to be one of the best stories Stan has ever done. After these, if you still can't figure out why she's so popular, then I don't know what to say!

The romance between Usagi and Tomoe doesn't exist (yet), but it has been such an underlying topic among UY fans for so long now (20+ years), that many have accepted it as would-be fact, even though Stan has never really even explored it. We can all dream though. And who's to say it won't happen? Good things come to those who wait


About Tomoe Gozen,
Stan's Insperation of Tomoe Ame...
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Everyone knows by now that Tomoe Ame was based on Tomoe Gozen, who was famed for her beauty and skill with the Naginata (Lance). There is much written about her. Also known as Lady Tomoe, Stan says she lived during the time of the Heike Wars in the 12th Century. Her husband was the famous General Kiso Yoshinaka who eventually commited seppuku but refused to allow Tomoe to die because he would have lost face if he were to die with a woman. So Tomoe Gozen eventually became a nun. Sister Tomoe? Anyway, author Jessica Amanda Salmonson wrote a 3-volume saga about Gozen: Tomoe Gozen, The Golden Naginata, and Thousand-Shrine Warrior. These are all out-of-print, but they're worth a hunt.

The suffix "Gozen" was used for a wife of a Bushi (member of the warrior class) , such as Shizuka-Gozen. Yeah, I know what you're thinking: If Tomoe Ame marries Usagi, she'll change her name to Tomoe Gozen. It's a possibility...

Anyway, "-in" is the suffix for a nun. When a bushi died, his widow usually became an "ama" (nun) in an "amadera" (convent). Such a widow renamed herself, and put the suffix to her new name. Here are some famous nuns in Japanese history: Hoshun-in, Kenbai-in, Kensei-in, and Koudai-in. Tomoe changed her name to something else, and then added the "-in" to it when she became a nun. If you have a Japanese text-capable browser, here is the kanji for "Tomoe": $BJ~3((B The word "Tomoe" itself means "A Three Section Circle," or just "Circle".

It's pretty common knowledge that Tomoe was based very loosely upon Tomoe Gozen who lived and fought during the Gempei war of the 12th Century. What's not well-known is that her look was inspired by the Japanese actress Etsuko Shiomi who, unfortunately, is best known in the U.S. for a terrible performance in a dreadful movie called Sister Streetfighter, the third of the Shinichi Chiba Streetfighter series.

Shiomi appeared in a number of other productions, most notably the Kage no Gundan (Shadow Warriors) TV Series. Shadow Warriors lasted four seasons, each season with the same actors portraying a different generation of the Iga Ninja Clan fighting a new enemy (played by the same actor) who would be defeated at the end of the season -- so each season would be like a huge 26-part maxi-series. In Kage no Gundan II, shiomi portrayed Shiina Misato, head of the Shiina Clan, and it is from much of this performance which inspired Tomoe Ame. Shiomi also appeared in the 1987(?) remake of Satomi Hakkenden (Eight Warriors of the Satomi Clan). The original 1957 3-part movie is one of Stan Sakai's favorites and he's been trying to locate a copy of it for years now.

Wow! So much to take in! But, I understand much more now! Thanks!

I had no idea she was based on a real person. I find that fact very intriguing!! Yes, Tomoe IS cool. (I did know that Usagi is based on a real person, even though I was in the dark about Tomoe's origination. I'm not too nieve...lol)

As for which books I've read, the only ones I've gotten ahold of are the collection books. Starting with one called "Shades of Death" and only skipping two, I've read all the way down to "Travels With Jotaro". In all of those books, I must have seen Chizu kiss Usagi at least 4 times, maybe near 6. And Tomoe never ONCE even had a glimpse of Usagi. Which is why it was so hard for me to believe that there was so much Tomoe/Usagi shipping. Since when did they even REALLY know each other?? XD The only reason I even believed that they knew each other is because of Usagi asking Sanshobo about her in one of the Grasscutter stories. Otherwise it just looks like everyone made it up!

I believe I've read Tomoe's story, but I'm not sure...I'd have to look. It depends on if it is in one of the collection books I read.

BTW, this really has nothing to do with anything, but I noticed on the back of one of the books, it said Usagi had to rescue Chizu when the girl who actually got saved was Kitsune!! What a blunder...Do you think they'll ever fix that?

Thanks for the input! I'll appreciate Tomoe more from now on.

^_^/

There are many more collected books which contain Tomoe. I mentioned Books 1 and 4. Tomoe's Story has not been reprinted yet, but will be one of these days. I forgot to mention that she was also the very first secondary UY character to crossover with the TMNT. She appeared in "The Treaty", an Usagi/Leo story Stan did for Mirage's Shell Shock. She also appeared in the TMNT animated series, although I have yet to see these

Another interesting item about the name "Tomoe Ame" is that it is also the name of a popular rice candy in Japan. And you know what they say, everyone likes candy.

Alori wrote:
I must have seen Chizu kiss Usagi at least 4 times, maybe near 6. And Tomoe never ONCE even had a glimpse of Usagi.

^_^/

Kissing was not a Japanese custom. It was another thing that the Europeans brought over to Japan. Maybe Tomoe is still unfamiliar with the act. Usagi certainly was surprised the first few times Chizu kissed him.

If Tomoe does have feelings for Usagi, and concidering the feelings Chizu has repeatedly shown for Usagi, there could be one majorly big (and literal) cat-fight somewhere in Usagi's future...

(Just had to add my two cents...)

Stan Sakai wrote:Kissing was not a Japanese custom. It was another thing that the Europeans brought over to Japan. Maybe Tomoe is still unfamiliar with the act. Usagi certainly was surprised the first few times Chizu kissed him.

Really? I remember Kagemaru saying that there was no place for love or emotions in the life of a ninja. (Deserters, collection book Demon Mask) So, I thought that Usagi was just simply not expecting it because of who she was, not because of custom.

Steve Hubbell wrote:If Tomoe does have feelings for Usagi, and concidering the feelings Chizu has repeatedly shown for Usagi, there could be one majorly big (and literal) cat-fight somewhere in Usagi's future...

You're right! I never thought of that!

Hmmm...Now I definitely wish I knew what Stan was planning!!

^_^/

Let's see.....why is Tomoe so awesome....

Well.....mostly because she's pretty (as far as anthro characters go), plus whenever there's a female character that seems to rival the hero in a comic book, the idea of romance always shows up (remember Spiderman and Black Cat?)

Truth be told, she's really the only woman at this point that Usagi could actually have a relationship with. The others are either already married (i.e. Mariko), on the other side of the caste system (i.e. Chizu), has absolutely no intrest in him (i.e. Kitsune), or is demon-possessed( i.e. Inazuma).

Plus, let's face it, she has some great hair!

Angelcake wrote:Truth be told, she's really the only woman at this point that Usagi could actually have a relationship with. The others are either already married (i.e. Mariko), on the other side of the caste system (i.e. Chizu), has absolutely no intrest in him (i.e. Kitsune), or is demon-possessed( i.e. Inazuma).

Plus, let's face it, she has some great hair!

Mariko? Point taken.
Chizu? Point taken, somewhat unwillingly. XD
Kitsune? Point taken, definitely agree.
Inazuma? Ohhhh, yeah. Demon possessed babes just somehow don't have the same appeal as non-possessed ones...

Though, I never really could see Inazuma with Usagi, possessed or not. This may be a weird and somewhat disturbing thought, I myself can't believe I'm going to admit it, but I actually sort of saw Inazuma getting together with Gen. Were she not possessed, of course, I could see their personalities getting along rather well. So long as Gen finally gives up on her bounty.

And yes, I agree Tomoe has great hair! Not to mention, her design as a kid was cool too! Remember the story "Usagi Yojimbo in A funny Thing Happened on the way to the Tournament"? I've gotta admit, any character who still has unique personality as a child is cooooool!!!



I think I'm finally starting to really pick up on her awesome-ness!

^_^/

Glad you think Tomoe is cool now Regarding Gen, I sort of pictured him with Kitsune. Of course, with Gen, he's got an eye for all the ladies. But with Kitsune there seemed to be a real connection. Perhaps it was just Kitsune playing along to get at his purse... In any case Usagi didn't seem to be too happy about it...jealousy perhaps?

That story featuring gen an kitsune was one of my most liked stories.
But anyway, kitsune is by far my favourite secondary character