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Why is it called the Dragon Bellow Conspiracy?
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 1:16 -0700
by The Great Masamune
I just read volume 4 of Usagi Yojimbo and was wondering why is it called the Dragon Bellow Conspiracy? I understand that there was a conspiracy with the black powder, but why the title Dragon Bellow?
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 13:52 -0700
by coolray85
I'm not sure if stan was aiming at something in particular with the dragon, but my guess would be the following:
these firearms were to have been the first and so then only ones of that kind...a powerful weapon with which anyone could have had a mighty advantage to overthrow the shogunate and and conquer the whole country....
so hint number one:POWER
then we see usagi's sort of dream sequence when he is suffering from his injuries from his escape.in this sequence a dragon(a mysthique old figure connected with ancient japan perhaps?) talks to him and says that the toppos could rip the land apart....
hint number two:an actual dragon...
and last but not least:through the whole ride of the story we are being rushed with the notion that the things happening are of uttmost importance and relevance, one could feel moved like riding the mighty mighty old dragon while reading?well, the last point is critical I see;)....
maybe these guns were in somewhat of a trade with china brought to japan...and china is referred to as the land of the dragons....
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 15:53 -0700
by Thomas Froehling
On page 43 of the trades, Lord Tamakuro experimentally shoots a teppo and says "Did you hear, Torame? Like the roar of the dragon!" Later, on page 91 during Usagi's nightmare sequence, the dragon itself says "The roar of the dragon will rip this land apart!"
And I guess "The Dragon's Roar Conspiracy" wouldn't have sounded that good...

Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 2:03 -0700
by TigerRider
My understanding of "Dragon Bellow Conspiracy" went in the same direction. I have this "nightmare" (?)-sequenz of Usagi in mind, when this huge Dragon talks to him. Distant gunfire or explosions of blackpowder should have implied the sound of dragon roaring as something new, shocking and mysterious to the ears of the people in this age of japan.
But also this idea of Marcel (Dragon <> China) is interesting.
Greetings,
Jens