General discussion about Usagi Yojimbo, the comics, the stories, the characters, collectibles, TV appearances, Stan Sakai, Space Usagi, Nilson & Hermy, and all other related topics.
Stans recent visit to the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles made me think about this.
I did a quick check on the Yakuza, and found their early history very interesting.
From Wikipedia:
Despite uncertainty about the single origin of yakuza organizations, most modern yakuza derive from two classifications which emerged in the mid-Edo Period (1603–1868): tekiya, those who primarily peddled illicit, stolen or shoddy goods; and bakuto, those who were involved in or participated in gambling.[3]
"Tekiya" (peddlers) were considered one of the lowest social groups in Edo. As they began to form organizations of their own, they took over some administrative duties relating to commerce, such as stall allocation and protection of their commercial activities. During Shinto festivals, these peddlers opened stalls and some members were hired to act as security. Each peddler paid rent in exchange for a stall assignment and protection during the fair.
The Edo government eventually formally recognized such tekiya organizations and granted the oyabun (leaders) of tekiya a surname as well as permission to carry a sword[citation needed] — the wakizashi, or short samurai sword (the right to carry the katana, or full-sized samurai swords, remained the exclusive right of the nobility and samurai castes). This was a major step forward for the traders, as formerly only samurai and noblemen were allowed to carry swords.
Bakuto (gamblers) had a much lower social standing even than traders, as gambling was illegal. Many small gambling houses cropped up in abandoned temples or shrines at the edge of towns and villages all over Japan. Most of these gambling houses ran loan sharking businesses for clients, and they usually maintained their own security personnel.
The places themselves, as well as the bakuto, were regarded with disdain by society at large, and much of the undesirable image of the yakuza originates from bakuto; this includes the name yakuza itself (ya-ku-za, or 8-9-3, is a losing hand in Oicho-Kabu, a form of blackjack).
Because of the economic situation during the mid-period and the predominance of the merchant class, developing yakuza groups were composed of misfits and delinquents that had joined or formed yakuza groups to extort customers in local markets by selling fake or shoddy goods.[3]
The roots of the yakuza can still be seen today in initiation ceremonies, which incorporate tekiya or bakuto rituals. Although the modern yakuza has diversified, some gangs still identify with one group or the other; for example, a gang whose primary source of income is illegal gambling may refer to themselves as bakuto.
Maybe a new story is in the works?
Steve Hubbell wrote:
Stan Sakai wrote: 9 hours ago
Many of you know that I had a donation box for the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles on my table at the San Diego Comic-con and at the Boston Comic-con. Autographs in The Sakai Project and other books were free, but if you wanted a quick head sketch I asked for a donation of any amount to the museum. People were very generous. There were a few $1s and folded $1s, but so many of the bills were 20's. There were a few 50's and more 20's folded together. One guy donated $80 and, after he saw the drawing I had done, added another $100. Today I went to the museum and gave them a check for $4,119! Thank you all!
There is also an exhibit of tattoos that I had wanted to see. It is terrific. I am also waiting for October when the Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary exhibit opens.
Showing off my ink.
Jason A. Canty wrote:
9 hours ago
Amazing "guns" on your arms Stan!
Must work out
Stan Sakai wrote:
9 hours ago
It comes from all that drawing.
Jet_Jaguar wrote:Hahaha, musclebound Stan covered with Yakuza tattoos made me laugh!
Steve Hubbell wrote:Sakura the Whip (UY 111 - 112) might have been Yakuza. She showed off some fancy tattoo art during the scene in the gambling den.
Good memory Steve.
I figured there must be some, with minor appearances in some stories.
But I couldn't recall if there were more prominent roles.
I'll have to dig up that story and refresh my memory.
I think a story based on Yakuza or involving one or more Yakuza characters might be interesting, and could even take some unexpected twists.
Despite uncertainty about the single origin of yakuza organizations, most modern yakuza derive from two classifications which emerged in the mid-Edo Period (1603–1868): tekiya, those who primarily peddled illicit, stolen or shoddy goods; and bakuto, those who were involved in or participated in gambling.[3]
I think Usagi has had a lot of run-ins with gamblers already, but the Yakuza were not yet around at the beginning of the Edo Period which is when Usagi was roaming around. BUT, it would not be the first time that Stan decides to include something cool even though it is from a slightly later time period (1703 - 1768).
Sakura was my first guess, too....
And there has been the Gamblers part of the Kite Story, which seems to be an early appearance of organized crime in gambling.
Given the time Usagi is set, any Yakusa-like group would be like Yakusa in the making.
What boggles me is: how would a tattoo look on a furred person?! I mean, we're talking about anthropomorphed animals here...
Greetings from overseas
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* Everybody is an alien.... in almost all parts of the universe !*
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Thomas Froehling wrote:
What boggles me is: how would a tattoo look on a furred person?! I mean, we're talking about anthropomorphed animals here...
I was thinking that too. Works fine on something like a pig...
I guess in an anthropomorphic world, we have to ignore certain realities, or turn a blind eye?
Maybe for short furred characters it'd be like stripes on a tiger?
Lionheart, by Tom Stazer, is a terrific series about an investigative reporter. I illustrated a Lionheart story that Tom had written, probably the first time I worked with another writer. This was printed as a back-up story in one of the Fantagraphics' UY issues. When I decided to add back-up stories for the Mirage run, Tom was the first person I invited, and, as it turned out, the only person to have a back-up other than me.
Tom will be doing a Kickstarter for a new Lionheart book and asked me to provide a pin-up. He colored it himself. The original will be one of the awards to help finance it. The drawing represents Lionheart fighting modern yakuza, while Usagi fights their feudal counterparts.
Tom lives in Texas, and, when I was there for a convention, he took me out to dinner and I had Sweetwater Duck. I am forever indebted to him.
Stan Sakai wrote:Tom will be doing a Kickstarter for a new Lionheart book and asked me to provide a pin-up. He colored it himself. The original will be one of the awards to help finance it. The drawing represents Lionheart fighting modern yakuza, while Usagi fights their feudal counterparts.
Tom Stazer has actually decided to do the crowd source fund-raising through Indiegogo which allows the funding to still be used even if the target goal is not achieved.
The Lionheart Tales indiegogo fundraiser will be live Thursday, August 28th, at 8pm CST. Hopefully this timing covers both coasts for potential contributors. I suspect the single perk of Stan Sakai's original art will go quickly, so you may want to give advance notice to your friends and followers. I've attached the link for the preview, when the site is live I will provide a direct link. http://www.indiegogo.com/project/preview/c5d7761a
