UY Dojo Newsletter
Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 13:45:19 -0700
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: ASME, SPE
To:
Dear UY Dojo Member,
This newsletter is going out to you and all of the other members of the Usagi Dojo.
Stan Sakai has taken an interest in the UY Dojo Internet Contest, and has decided to donate a prize. Check out the UYDIC info page for more details.
I have also just received more info about UY #7, and the cover artwork as well. I also got the new character's name wrong. It's Nakamura Koji, not Nakamoto. Check out the UY Dojo newspage for more info.
Later,
Todd Shogun
Subject: UY Dojo Newsletter #2
Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 17:03:36 -0700
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: ASME, SPE
To: tbustill@engr.csulb.edu
Ben Kelly's system crashed recently, taking with it his listing of those interested in participating in the UY Dojo email RPG. If you wanted to play or are now interested in playing, please tell Ben at
In other news, I finally got the BCC to work!!! No more multiple emailings!!!
The UY Journal is nearing completion very slowly... Ben Kelly says he should have the synopses for Books 1 & 2 ready soon. David Royer is almost done with book 4... Everybody else is (I hope!) working on their assignments diligently... And Ben also says the "Who's Who of Usagi Yojimbo" is looking full. I myself have been very busy with work, school, etc that I've had only enough time to squeeze a few small features into the UY Comic Book Buyer's Guide. Namely, the UY Top Ten, The UY Pronunciation Guide, and the Albedo #2 Web Page... No, seriously, I'm not kidding: the Albedo #2 Web Page... Really!!! It's at http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/albedo2.html I've been working on it for a few weeks now... it will be completed soon.
Finally: Do you all like the Name "Who's Who of UY"??? I'm not sure if I do... If you all would please be so kind as to think up a new name, I would really appreciate it, cuz I just can't!!! For the unknowing, the "Who's Who" is a detailed indexing of the major characters of UY, somewhat along the lines of the Marvel Universe series, but different enough from the index over at the UY RPG Homepage, which lists ALL characters with only short descriptions.
Late,
Todd Shogun
Subject:
UY Dojo Newsletter #3
Date:
Wed, 24 Jul 1996 11:57:16 -0700
From:
Todd Shogun
Organization:
ASME, SPE
To:
tbustill@engr.csulb.edu
Jamie Rich, editor of UY, wanted me to let you know that the Comics Journal will be interviewing Stan Sakai the middle of next month. He wants to open the floor to UY Dojo Members like YOU to send in any questions for possible use in that interview.
Also, if there is anything you would like to see as a special feature, like what Amazing Heroes did where Stan showed them how he created an issue, then Stan would like to know as well. The interview will be the cover story in the November issue of Comics Journal. Cool!
Please email Jamie at
Also, Stan will be signing in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, at the Heritage Source booth for Nisei Weekend, August 8th.
The above info is also at the UY Dojo Newspage.
http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/uynews.html
Later!
Todd Shogun
Subject:
UY Dojo Newsletter #4
Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 13:06:24 -0700
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: ASME, SPE
To: tbustill@engr.csulb.edu
I just got more info about UY #8, including the cover artwork. I also got the cover artwork for the upcoming Comics Journal Interview. Stan would like to thank those who sent in questions and suggestions. And if you haven't done so already, do so now!!! The cover artwork for those two issues will be going up about 8 hours after you receive this email, so be patient. The plot synopsis for UY #8 is already up, as is an update of the SS interview. Visit the UY Dojo NewsPage for all the info, and don't forget to tune in 8 hours from now to check out the latest in UY cover art. Believe me, the proposed cover of the Comics Journal November issue is Dynamite!!!
In other news, I'd just like to remind you all that the deadline to submit ideas for the UY Dojo Internet Contest is TWO WEEKS from today! If you haven't submitted yet, do it now! All the info about the contest is in the UY Dojo Newspage. The current plan is for me to pick the best 5-7 ideas on August 15th, then _YOU_ will decide on which contest idea will be used. That's right, there will be a vote for best contest idea! The winner of the Best Contest Idea Vote will receive a cool Usagi Yojimbo print, suitable for framing! And need I remind you of the grand prize in the UYDIC itself? Okay, I will: an original drawing of Usagi By Stan Sakai!!! 2nd prize: The Super-Rare UY Cloisonne Pin!!! 3rd Prize: a rare UY Comic!!! More prizes? Possibly... I'll keep you all posted.
http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/usagi.html
Later,
Todd Shogun
Subject: UY Dojo Newsletter #5
Date: Tue, 13 Aug 1996 15:58:36 -0700
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: ASME, SPE
To: tbustill@engr.csulb.edu
Stan recently announced that he will be reprinting the water-color story "Return to Adachi Plain" from UY Book 4 HC as a black and white story! Check out the UY Dojo Newspage for details on this.
Stan will do a signing on Oct. 13th in the San Fernando, California area. More details in the Newspage.
One last thing: there two days left to get in an idea for the UY Dojo Internet contest. Aug 15th is the deadline! Then, after that, I'll be picking the best 5 ideas, and you all will vote for which contest you want to play. The person whose contest is chosen will win something very cool.
http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/usagi.html
Later,
Todd Shogun
Subject:
UY Dojo Newsletter #6
Date:
Sat, 17 Aug 1996 21:01:57 -0700
From:
Todd Shogun
Organization:
ASME, SPE
To:
tbustill@engr.csulb.edu
------The UY Dojo Internet Contest------
Thanks go to all the Dojo Members who sent in their ideas for contests. Some duplicate entries were sent in, so I just used the earliest one received. So don't spaz if you see your suggestion below credited to someone else. It just means that they sent in their idea before you did... The deadline to vote for a contest is September 7th.
Vote for the contest idea you would like to play:
WRITING CONTEST
**ideas:**
1) Write the best "Death of Usagi" short story. (D. Hackney)
2) Come up with a haiku for each main character. (A. Bailey)
3) Who should Usagi end up marrying and why? (Fellstar)
IDENTIFICATION CONTEST
**ideas:**
4) Visually Given: Clan Crests of UY (MON). Identify all of them correctly. (R. Haberman)
5) Given a page of multiple Usagi's, identify the incorrect one. (S. Knowles)
ART CONTEST
**ideas:**
6) UY GIF contest, computer drawn, colored (AJ Cousins)
7) Drawing Contest, scan and email/ or snail mail (A. Pronovost)
8) UY Ascii/Macro contest: design a macro of Usagi (D. Royer)
Lastly:
9) UY Internet "Easter Egg" hunt (Crog)
...Lots of entries for this one, but Crog's was received on 6/13/96, right after I announced the contest. In this contest, the player must search web pages for clues and put them together to form an image.
There you go, 9 ideas for a contest. Some easy, some not-so-easy. Just email in the number of the idea you would like chosen as the UYDIC before Sept. 7th! The entries will be counted, and the winner will recieve a limited edition signed print of the cover to UY Vol. 1, #13 (limited to 150 copies, not available for sale in any stores, black and white 11 X 17). Email in your vote today!
*************************************************
The contest itself: remember, no matter which contest is chosen, their will be three winners (tentatively).
The 1st place gets an ORIGINAL USAGI DRAWING by Stan.
2nd Place gets the Limited Edition UY Cloisonne Pin.
3rd Place gets a UY Vol.1 #1 first print.
Any questions? Email me.
Late,
Todd Shogun
Subject:
UY Dojo Newsletter #7
Date:
Sun, 08 Sep 1996 00:07:04 -0700
From: Todd Shogun
Organization:
ASME, SPE
To:
tbustill@engr.csulb.edu
The votes are in on the UYDIC, and things aren't so hot. Three ideas TIED for first place. Yes, TIED, right to the last vote. They were: The Death of Usagi Fan Fiction, The Haiku Contest, and the UY Dojo Internet Easter Egg Hunt. The drawing contests came in one vote away from tieing with the aforementioned ideas to boot! Now, since there was really no idea which topped out, I've been trying to figure out what to do. I really want this contest to be the best ever, and I really want it to appeal to all members. This is what I've come up with:
1) A re-vote of the 3 top ideas
2) Using all 3 ideas and create a mega-contest, with even more prizes
3) Do a contest periodically, like about one every 3 months or so.
What should I do? You tell me. This is your contest, and is the very first UY contest in history.
Let me tell you what I would do: I wouldn't mind having a contest periodically, about every 2-3 months. Everyone will be able to play the contest they want, and more prizes will be available. We can have a UYDIC #1, #2, #3... etc until I'm all out of UY items. I'll even include an art contest.
Of course, I'll have to figure out how to assign the prizes to each contest. So far, Stan has agreed to contribute only one UY drawing to the contest, but I've got a sketch lieing around, the Cloisonne pin, and some rare UY comics that I wouldn't mind contributing.
Tell me what you think, and I'll start making preps. Sorry for the long wait in getting the UYDIC going, but I really want to appeal to everybody out there.
Thanks,
Todd Shogun
Subject: UY Dojo Newsletter #7.5
Date: Mon, 09 Sep 1996 21:31:20 -0700
From: Todd Shogun
To: tbustill@engr.csulb.edu
I've come to a decision! (Finally)
Okay, it was just like I thought: so far I've seen a split response to Newsletter #7. But I've decided that it's better to please everyone, so I'm going with my own idea of having periodical contests. Say one every 2-3 months, depending on how things progress. Obviously, some contests will involve more time than others.
This decision isn't without problems, however. First, there's the question of which contest will have the original Usagi drawing as grand prize. That's was a toughie. It has forced me to change one of the ideas around a bit, to make it more appealing to everyone. Remember the "Death of Usagi" fan-fiction idea? Well I've decided to expand that idea and just have a general UY fan fiction contest. You can still write a story about Usagi's demise, but you can also write about anything else you want. Ideas: Usagi gets hitched, A "What If" story, a young-Usagi story, an old-Usagi story, ANY IDEA is acceptable. Sound cool? I hope so. Lots of people who didn't vote for the death of Usagi story said they didn't 'cuz it's just that: Usagi's Death!!! Nobody wants to see Usagi die. That's kind of why I changed it a bit. So, with this, I've decided that the UY artwork will go to the best story submitted. Obviously, this one will require the most work compared to the Haiku and Web Hunt ideas. And not everyone can draw either.
But the Haiku, Internet Easter Egg Hunt, and art contests will happen! This is how it looks tentatively:
1) Beginning NOW, the UY Fan Fiction Contest is on. I haven't figured on a deadline yet, but I expect it to be at least 3 months from now.
2) Beginning around early January: The Art Contest. Draw a pic, send it in.
3) In March: the UY Haiku Contest.
4) In Late April, The UY Dojo Internet Easter Egg Hunt! (This one is last 'cuz I'm going to make it REALLY tough)
I hope this appeals to everyone. Now, let's get underway with UYDIC #1:
THE UY FAN FICTION CONTEST
Overview: Write a story featuring Usagi and the characters of the UY universe. It could be a drama, an adventure, a romance, a What If story, or a comedy.
Requirements (if you want to win, follow these): It must be word processed and sent via email. I will not accept snail mail, unless it is on a 3.5" IBM diskette. Double-spaced and spell checked are a must, but I will concentrate on reading value the most. Please don't make it too long. If it's over 20 pages, your chances of winning are very low, even if the story is excellent. However, if it's too short, you probably won't win either. I leave it in your hands. I'd say somewhere between 13-17 pages in length. Remember, you've got at least 3 months.
Rules: Do not write a science fiction story or a crossover story with other's characters. Use Stan's characters only, but no Space Usagi or Nilson meetings. Adult content, situations, language, etc is allowed, but please try to do it in good taste if you must include it. And try not to do something close to what Stan has already done. Use your imagination and do a great story. Remember: the story is to be based on situations in UY, and has to take place in Usagi's Japan.
Other stuff: I will read and evaluate all stories myself. If Stan has the time, I will send him my top 3 faves and he will decide the final winners. Only members and retainers of the UY Dojo are eligible to play. If you received this email, you're eligible.
PRIZES:
Grand Prize - An inked Drawing of Usagi by Stan
2nd and 3rd place prizes - T.B.A. (expect it to be rare UY comics, etc)
I think I covered everything. If you have any comments or suggestions, PLEASE email me. No matter what it is, I want to hear it!
Thank you for your patience, now let's all have some fun.
Todd Shogun
All this info is available at:
http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/uydic.html
Subject: UY Dojo Newsletter #8
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 1996 15:39:47 -0700
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: ASME, SPE
To: tbustill@engr.csulb.edu
I got the cover artwork and synopsis for UY #9. The synopsis is there, but the cover will be up in about 4 hours after I write this. It's 3:50 (PST) right now and I should have it up just before I go to work. Check out the UY Dojo Newspage: NEW UY RELEASES for all the cool details, including a mention about Grasscutter!
I also got the cover for Furrlough #50 by Stan Sakai, more info about the current COLOR UY serial in the Diamond Catalog, and more info on Stan's story in Crusade's SHI: Kaidan one-shot, including a two-page preview!!! For this news, check out the UY Dojo Newspage: DOJO NEWS column.
And for all of you wondering, please send up your submission for the UYDIC Fan Fiction contest via email as a TEXT document. You can type it up using your Word Processor, but save it as TEXT-ONLY please!
http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/usagi.html
And for all of you who may have missed it, YES, the UY Dojo Contest is now underway!!!
Last thing: I'm thinking about starting a UY Dojo Member profile page. If you'd like to be a part of the page, please send me a paragraph describing yourself, like your age, interests, etc... All this as an effort to unite the UY fandom of the world! The page will be accessible by username and password, in order to insure privacy for those squeamish members. I will send you your username and password upon receiving your profile info. I really think that this will be a great way to get Dojo members to interact with one another, as I have been trying to do ever since I started the UY Dojo Login and Bulletin Board. Soon I will have a Member's Forum combining the Login, Bulletin Board, Member Log, and Profile page all in one site.
Later,
Todd Shogun
Subject: UY Dojo Newsletter #9
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 21:59:33 -0700
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: SPE, ASME, UY Dojo
I got the synopsis/preview of UY #10, which will be a really special issue! Check out the UY Dojo Newspage for the big scoop. The cover for UY #10 will be up in about 24 hours, so be patient.
Also check out the "Untold Tales of Albedo #2" for a new story... from Stan!
I still haven't decided on when the deadline for the UYDIC will be yet, but still expect it to be sometime in December.
If you haven't sent in your member profile yet, do so now!
News: Dojo Retainers
Simon Knowles is going to take over the Space Usagi web page, SPACE STATION USAGI, and will be doing synopses and a character index... Glenn Masuda recently printed up 100 copies of the official UY Dojo flyer and gave them to Stan at the recent signing in L.A. Glenn will also be doing a new Dojo feature based on Miyamoto Musashi. Should be cool...
If you haven't checked lately, Ben Kelly has finished up the first batch of character files for the Who's Who (Usagi's World). Check em out...
News has it that the Comics Journal interview with Stan will be delayed.
OH WELL...
GOTTA JAM...
Later,
Todd Shogun
UY Dojo
Subject: UY DOJO NEWSLETTER #10
Date: Fri, 01 Nov 1996 18:45:04 -0800
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: SPE, ASME, UY Dojo
To: all.you.dojo.members@usagi.com
Yes, it's another Dojo NL! This one hot on the heels of NL #9. Anyway, lots of new info went up on the Dojo today. Among them:
DOJO NEWS: 1) Antarctic Press to do Usagi Yojimbo Sketchbook!!!
2) "10 Years of Usagi" comic pak to be auctioned off at the Mid-OhioCon
3) What do actress Sharon Stone and Inazuma have in common???
NEW USAGI RELEASES:
1) MORE info on UY #10, including a preview of the newly-inked "Return to Adachi Plain" by Sergio Aragones and Stan! This preview is side-by-side with the exact same page from UY BOOK 4 HC's "Return", (in color) so you can make a comparison at how different the art looks.
2) The COVER ART and SYNOPSIS to UY #11 are in!!! Awesome!
Okay, okay, I know what you're saying: UY #11 already? But I just got UY #6!... Well, like I said: the UY Dojo has info about Usagi WAY BEFORE anyone else! UY #6 came out just this past Wednesday, but you can read about what's going to happen in future issues before that info hits any preview comic or catalog/price guide. Stan always has a huge head start in drawing his comics, usually several months, so as soon as he begins work on a new issue, you'll hear about it! It's no doubt that by next month you'll be seeing the cover to Grasscutter Chapter 1!!! Grasscutter will begin in either UY #12 or 13, depending on how Stan wants to do it. At this very moment, Stan is busy drawing UY #11, meaning he's already finished with UY #7-10. As a result, UY will be coming out monthly from now until January '97! Cool!
Here's the release schedule:
UY #7: Nov 27 (this month!!! Usagi faces off against Nakamura Koji!)
UY #8: Dec 26 (a special winter issue with lots of the white stuff)
UY #9: Jan 22 (Priest Sanshobo returns!!! A Grasscutter tie-in!!!)
UY #10: either Feb or March (3 stories in one issue!!! Return of Jei!)
UY #11: either Mar, Apr, or June (2 stories! Return of Chizu and Hebi!!!)
That's what it looks like for the time being...
Other stuff:
No deadline for the UYDIC yet... expect it to be in December. The UYDIC #2 will begin next month and will be the Art Contest!
If you'd like to correspond with other UY Dojo members, send in your profile (age, hobbies, interests, favorite things, etc) to me and I'll send you your username and password to the member profile page. Interact with your fellow UY Otaku's!
That's all for now!
Later,
Todd Shogun
Shogun of the UY DOJO
Subject: UY Dojo Newsletter #11
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 1996 23:13:02 -0800
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: SPE, ASME, UY Dojo
To: All Members of the UY Dojo <"all. members"@usagi.com>
A special announcement: UYD Hatamoto Simon Knowles-san has volunteered to head up a new feature for the Dojo: The UY Letter Column Page! He wants to transcribe EVERY UY letter ever written to an HTML doc, and then send it up to me for placement on the Dojo. Sounds pretty cool, doesn't it? Yes, indeed, but he needs your help. Take it away, Simon:
..............................................................................
"Ok, here's what I've asked Todd (Thanks a ton!) to put up. I'm taking on a very large project for the Dojo: The UY Letter Column page! This page will feature EVERY letter in every issue of UY ever printed. (I'm not sure whether to include letters from Albedo and Critters and other titles Usagi's shown up in.) But here's where you, the Dojo members come in:
I NEED CONTRIBUTIONS!
Much as I'd like to, I don't have either a complete set of UY nor the time to type all the letters up. What I'm asking from you is that you type up a letter column from an issue and send it to me. If you know HTML, then you could, if you wish, format it in HTML so it has neat things like italics, page breaks, and the like. If not, then just send it as a plain text (.txt) document to me and I'll format it myself.
Although I don't have any awesome goodies to distribute like pins, original art, ancient hard-to-find issues and the like, I will list EVERY contributor on the actual page. Even if you send one letter column, you'll be on the list.
What I'd like, is if you're interested, send me e-mail with the issues you'd like to do or ask any questions if you have them. I'd like story notes, if applicable, and the responses to the letters, the sender's name and location, and, if there, their e-mail address.
If you have any questions, e-mail me at jknowles@island.net, and I'll be happy to answer anything you need. Sometime this week, I'll have the start of the page uploaded with an example. (DHC issue 1)"
........................................................................
There you have it, Dojo Students. Please consider helping Simon pull this one off. I have a feeling that this will be one of the biggest and best Dojo Features yet!
In other news, I've decided on a deadline for UY Dojo Internet Contest #1!
The deadline for submitting entries to the fan fiction contest will be December 22. If anyone has any problems with this, let them speak now or forever hold their peace. Remember: the grand prize will be an original piece of Usagi art by Stan Sakai!!! Runner-up prizes include the UY cloisonne pin, rare UY issues, and whatever else I can muster.
More news: In case you didn't know, late 1996 represents the 10th anniversary of a comic book published with the title "Usagi Yojimbo" on the cover. Namely, the UY Summer Special back in 1986. In honor of the event, I've decided that the winner of UYDIC #2 (the art contest) will receive a mint condition, signed by Stan Sakai himself, copy of said comic book! There will of course be other prizes, too. The UYDIC #2 officially begins on Dec. 22nd, but you are welcome to begin your artwork now. The instructions/rules will go out on Dec 22, so you may want to wait until then, though.
As far as the Dojo itself is concerned, UYD Daimyo Ben Kelly-Sama has completed work on most of the character profiles, so for those twenty of you who signed up for the you-know-what, expect it to start up soon! Check out the UY WHO's Who to check out the characters. Ben did an awesome job as usual. Take a bow, Lord Ben. In more web-related news, our other resident Daimyo, Glenn "Yoriki" Masuda-san has just about finished up on the UY Dojo's Miyamoto Musashi feature. Masuda-san is an expert on Japanese history, so expect to see something very cool. He has also tracked down more info on the original historical aspects of the long-awaited UY epic, GRASSCUTTER! Expect to see both features poping up soon!
Don't forget to pick up a copy of UY #7 on Nov 27th. Enter Nakamura Koji!
Later,
Todd Shogun
Shogun - UY DOJO
Subject: UY Dojo Newsletter #12
Date: Fri, 06 Dec 1996 09:17:09 -0800
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: SPE, ASME, UY Dojo
To: All members of the UY Dojo
CC: tbustill@csulb.edu
Dear UY Dojo Members,
Okay this is it: UYD Shugyosha Scot King told me that the next episode of the X-Files (This Sunday on Fox) will be the one where Mulder mentions Usagi Yojimbo. Break out those VCRs and audio recorders! And if anyone would like to, I wouldn't mind having the line made into a .wav and other audio files for download from the Dojo. Anyone interested in this, please contact me. Thanks!
In other news, I would just like to remind everyone that the deadline for the FAN FICTION CONTEST is Dec. 22... If anyone needs more time, let me know immediately.
I also have a few openings for UY Dojo Hatamoto's. If you would like to become a Hatamoto (Special Retainer) of the Dojo, please contact me. A Hatamoto is the next step up from a Shugyosha, and is someone "employed" by the UY Dojo. You'll be assigned some web-work, because the Dojo will be expanding soon, with an additional 20 Megabytes of space. I currently have about 19.5 MB used up, and my limit is 20. But I'll soon have 40, so there will be lots of room to add to. Now is the time to start suggesting new ideas for web features that you'd like to see. Email me if you're interested.
As far as being a Hatamoto is concerned, every Hatamoto is loyal to his or her DAIMYO (Lord), who is in turn loyal to me, the SHOGUN (web-master). There are currently three Daimyos, each categorized by geographical locale: Australia: Ben Kelly-sama... Canada: Simon Knowles-san.... and West Coast U.S.: Glenn "Yoriki" Masuda-san. Daimyo's are those who have performed extra stuff beyond web-work.
I've recently made back-issues of this newsletter available in the member forum. Check it out if you missed some.
Hopefully by next time I'll have some info on Grasscutter... stay tuned!
Abayo!!!
Todd Shogun Shogun of the UY DOJO http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/usagi.html
Subject: Followup to UYDNL #12
Date: Fri, 06 Dec 1996 23:07:35 -0800
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: SPE, ASME, UY Dojo
To: All Dojo Members
CC: tbustill@csulb.edu
Subject: UY Dojo Newsletter #13
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 1996 21:46:11 -0800
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: SPE, ASME, UY Dojo
To: All Members of the UY Dojo
CC: tbustill@csulb.edu
Lots of stuff to talk about this time around!
Stan gave me the cover and synopsis to Usagi Yojimbo #12!!! The cover won't be ready for viewing until tomorrow (Sunday) in the late afternoon, but the synopsis is already on the UY Dojo NewsPage. Unfortunately for all you botanists out there, #12 will not feature Grasscutter Chapter 1, but I don't think you'll mind once you find out who'll be appearing in it...(drumroll, please) TOMOE AME and GENNOSUKE!!! Yes, you read right: Tomoe and Gen finally return to the pages of UY, in a _Very Special_ story that is sure to pique the interest of Dragon Bellow Conspiracy fans! But enough about #12. Check out The New UY Release page for the scoop.
NEWSFLASH!!! Stan Sakai finally got online! Yes, it really happened: Stan was at a friend's house on Thanksgiving and checked out the UY Dojo for the very first time. So far all he's seen of the Dojo are printings I've made of it-- hardly doing it justice. I don't think he signed the Login page, but he is just a beginner when it comes to the web. He doesn't have his own access yet, but I know he will soon. He tried emailing me, but it didn't work, for some reason... oh well... He told me he is highly impressed with the Dojo and its membership! Ryaaaaa!!!
Stan also sent me a listing of the current cast of characters slated to appear in GRASSCUTTER. Check out The Grasscutter Web Page for for all the details... In other GC news, Stan tells me he's still writing the present day (Usagi's time) part of the epic. Keep in mind that the first two issues take place in a time centuries _before_ 17th Century Japan, and that the following six issues deal with Usagi's time, in one hell of a wild adventure, sure to make the D.B.C. look like a cakewalk! Grasscutter-mania is definitely in full swing, and as soon as Glenn "Yoriki" Masuda finishes up the latest historical info about it, I think we'll all be ready for it!
Also check out DOJO NEWS for more info about the UY Sketchbook, and news about the demise of Antarctic Press' funny animal/manga department! Who will be the new publisher? Check out DOJO NEWS for the scoop!
In other news, I'd like to see more people join the Member Profile page. Just send up a paragraph about yourself, like your interests, hobbies, age, etc, and how you got into Usagi, to me and I'll send you your username and password. What to I have to do to get more people to join? Okay, I got it: I'll put some never before seen UY artwork there for all of you to gawk at! How about that?
Update: UYDIC #1.... The deadline for entries is Dec 22nd still, less than two weeks away! Remember: the grand prize winner will receive an original Usagi drawing by Stan "Sensei" Sakai himself! Once all the entries are in, I'll pick the top five stories and pass them along to Stan. He will decide who the best writer is and send you the grand prize personally (by mail, of course)! Runner-up prizes include the UY Cloisonne pin, and rare UY stuff (comics/prints). Play today!!! (also---if anyone needs more time, I can back up the deadline a couple days, but just a couple! I really want to get the art contest under way)
UY DOJO WEB NEWS: UYD Hatamoto Fellstar-san finished up the color special synopses for the UY Journal (excellent job, I might add), and Daimyo Glenn Masuda-san is pretty much done with the Journal's mini-covers... Hatamoto Crog-san also tells me that he _will_ finish that long-awaited color UY animated GIF soon... I'm still working on getting an extra 20 meg of space for the Dojo. I'm also going to be installing a "DojoWarp" feature on every page for more user-friendliness. DojoWarp is a Javascript thingie for quick-links. The Tomoe Ame page already has one. Check it out, and tell me what you think.
Okay, until next time, Abayo!
Todd Shogun
SHOGUN - The Usagi Yojimbo Dojo
http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/usagi.html
Subject: UY Dojo Newsletter #14
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 1997 10:11:41 -0800
From: Todd Shogun
Organization: SPE, ASME, UY Dojo
To: All UY Dojo Members
UY Dojo Newsletter #14
Dear UYD Member,
Lots to talk about this time. But 1st, The latest in UY News:
Stan tells me that as of 2/6/97 he has just finished inking issue #12's "Vampire Cat of the Geishu" and will be taking a couple months off to work on GRASSCUTTER as well as "The Art of Usagi Yojimbo" (formerly known as the UY Sketchbook), and the cover to UY BOOK EIGHT. That's right, DHC has acquired the rights to reprint the first six issues of the Mirage UY issues is trade paperback!!! RYAAAA!!! The collection will be out this fall. It will most definitely be in color.
Grasscutter News: Unfortunately, Stan has nothing new to say about GC, but the new GRASSCUTTER Website is currently under development and should be unveiled soon (i.e. when Stan finishes the cover to UY #13). The GC website will be comprehensive, including actual historical info on top of the latest in UY news. The GC site will include four main features: "NEW UY REALEASES" (the new spot to check out artwork and story previews of upcoming UY issues), "HISTORY LESSONS" (featuring historical data pertaining to the real-life Kusanagi sword), "MEET THE PLAYERS" (character listings), and of course, the HOME PAGE. The GC WEBSITE is coming soon!
DOJO WEBSITE UPDATES:
Whever the background wallpaper on the home page changes, that means the site has been updated. I'll try to make it clear which features have updates. Here's a few recent ones: "Untold Tales of Albedo NR 2", The Home Page, and a new addition: the UY Comic Marketplace.
Wanted: someone who owns a copy of UY BOOK 7 Hardcover. I need you to do a plot synopsis of "Hebi". You will be dubbed hatamoto upon completion. Email me first, though!!!
*********A SPECIAL MISSION for MEMBERS****************
I would like to call upon all Dojo Members for a special mission! The mission is called... Operation: UY Subscription. This idea just came to me after having unsuccessfully located a copy of UY #8 for weeks after it was out! I called up all over town, and nothing! But Glenn "not Yoriki" Masuda-san sent me a copy from the famous Gary's Corner Bookstore (Nishimura in UY V1 #33).The operation goes as follows: I want all shugyoshas, hatamotos and daimyos to send a request by email to Dark Horse Comics, asking them to please offer UY as a subscription. Please do this, even if you don't intend to subscribe! The operation will commence on Feb. 15, after said date all Dojo Members are encouraged to email DHC with their request. DHC's email address is: dhc@dhorse.com
Click on this link on Fe. 15 to send DHC your message!!! mailto:dhc@dhorse.com
All members will receive notification the day prior to the operation as a reminder...
In other news, I would like members to start helping out with the Dojo, as there are so many features planned and not enough time to do them all! So, if you'd like to become an official Hatamoto (retainer) of the UY Dojo, then volunteer to do at least one of the following assignments:
****Usagi's World Assignments****
1) Scan images of UY characters with no image for character index.
2) Develop cool logo's for every page (including the home page) of the character index.
3) Do character profiles for the rest of the UY characters.
****General Assignments****
1) I need someone to get info (lots) on Tomoe Gozen.
2) I need someone who frequents newsgroups to post links to the UY Dojo in comic book and furry newsgroups on a regular basis (I need someone who can be trusted!).
3) I need someone to do some animated gifs of Usagi
****New Feature Assignments****
1) Anyone interested in starting up "The Shinobi Site"?
2) Someone to do a Gennosuke Home Page (complete with scans, etc...)
3) Someone to take over the Nilson and Hermy Site (character profiles and story synopses included).
4) Someone to transcribe a couple of Stan Sakai interviews to text format for placement on the Dojo. These interviews are rare, and you'll receive copies of the original pages and unpublished art if you should decide to take up the task!
If you have any questions regarding assignments, email me promptly!
UYDIC News: Response to the fan fiction contest was so dismal, that I'm considering scrapping future UYDICs alltogether. For those of you who sent in entries to the fan fiction contest, don't worry. All your entries will be sent off to Stan soon. He will then decide on a winner and will send that person their UY artwork. And all who sent in a story will receive a cool UY thing. As for the art contest... what I may do is establish a minimum for entries. The minimum number of entries submitteed in order to run the contest will probably be about 15-20, and I will require an emailed "reservation" from each participant prior to initiation of the contest. In other words, if you're definitley going to enter, email me first! If I get enough people, then the contest will commence. If I don't get enough people, it's gone!
The Comics Journal #192 is now available, and is very cool. Go out and but one!!!
Well, that's all for now...
Abayo!!!
Todd Shogun
Shogun - THE UY DOJO
http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/usagi.html
Subject: UY Dojo Newsletter #15 - The one you've been waiting for!!!
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 1997 22:33:31 -0800
From: Todd Shogun
To: All UY Dojo MEMBERS
CC: tbustill@csulb.edu
RRRYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
At last!!! I just got the cover and synopsis to UY #13, GRASSCUTTER chapter one!! Allright! This means that the Grasscutter Website is now officially open! Finally!!
With some good news, there is some not-so-good news: The cover artwork will not be up until tomorrow night (Wednesday at around 7:30 P.M. PST). And UY #13 won't be out until... August. Yes, we have quite a wait ahead. Stan wanted to take a few months off after #12 (out April 30th), to take the family camping and stuff. But take heart: the ART OF UY book is also due out in early April from Radio Comix. And if that's not enough, Dark Horse will be releasing UY COLOR SPECIAL #4 this July!
I got the cover for UY Color Special #4 as well as the wraparound cover of THE ART OF UY. Check 'em out tommorrow night at 7:30 PM! You can go to the Grasscutter website right now to view the synopsis to UY #13 and explore the new site. Remember: the Grasscutter Website is the NEW place to go to check out the latest in UY releases. Don't go to the NEW UY RELEASES in the NewsPage. The NewsPage isn't defunct though. It's still got the latest News about UY coming in all the time.
The Grasscutter website has: New Release info, Historical Background on Grasscutter (by Daimyo Glenn "not Yoriki" Masuda-sama), and a character listing! Check it out today! Go the the UY Dojo Home page for the link to this awesome new Dojo site!!!
After visiting the GC website, check out the DojoBoard for a discussion about Jei, the Gods, and why Jei wants Usagi dead. Then, tomorrow night view the cover to UY #13. The character on the cover is Susano-o-no-Mikoto. Once you see this cover (and if you've been paying attention to JEI-SAN on the DojoBoard), then you should have some idea as to why Jei is so obsessed with Usagi. I'm not totally sure, but I have an idea... I'm not going to tell, as I want everyone else to figure it out/come up with their own theories (read my post on the DojoBoard). Then go to the DojoBoard and let's talk GRASSCUTTER!!!!
And don't forget that this September will see the release of UY BOOK 8, reprinting the first 6 issues of the Mirage run.
In other news, Stan also sent me some info about UY #14, which I will post in a few days. Not much, but he gave me a basic idea of the plot.
The UY/DHC SUBSCRIPTION battle was a failure. But at least we lost with honor!!!
More people are requested to send Member Profiles in! As soon as you do, I'll give you your username and password to the Profile page. Join it today!!!
**********************NEW RETAINERS****************************** I would like to take the time to welcome aboard some new Hatamoto's:
Ruben Javier Arellano: Did the synopsis for "Hebi" (UY BOOK 7 HC) in the UY Journal.
Don "Dusty" Rhoades: Did the Amazing Heroes Stan Sakai interview transcription.
Julie Miyamoto: Transcribed the Stan interview from Tozai Times.
J.R. Brown (KatsuiChi): Transcribed the Stan interview from Comics Journal #192.
Robert Laguna: Transcribed the Stan interview from Comics Interview #44.
Jason Sawtelle: Our new logo designer (Jason is a long-time shugyosha)!
The interview transcriptions are already on the Dojo. Check 'em out!!! Complete and uncut!!!
I still need some work done for the Dojo. Check out the last Newsletter for details.
Well, that's about all for now...
Abayo!
Todd Shogun
SHOGUN - The UY Dojo
http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/usagi.html
Subject: UY Dojo Newsletter #16 - MORE GRASSCUTTER!!!!!!
Date: Wed, 19 Mar 1997 21:40:09 -0800
From: Todd Shogun
To: ALL UYD MEMBERS
CC: tbustill@csulb.edu
Welcome to another UYD newsletter extravaganza. This issue features lotsa cool info, but first, on to the NEW RELEASE INFO:
More Grasscutter previews!!! I got the cover and synopsis to UY #14, which will be on sale this September. Unfortunately, the cover won't be ready to be viewed until tommorrow (Thursday 3-20-97)sometime, probably in the afternoon PST. The cover's really cool, featuring Minamoto Yoshitsune, hero of the Gempei War. He kinda looks like a certain ronin rabbit too... Anyway, the synopsis is already in the Grasscutter Website's NEW REALEASES page. Check it out for the latest in Grasscutter-mania!!!
I also got the preliminary black-and-white drawing of the cover to UY BOOK 8. AWESOME!!! This will also be ready by tommorrow. You can read up on BOOK 8 in the NEW RELEASE page of the Grasscutter Website, the new ultimate source for UY info!!!
As far as story notes go for Grasscutter, Stan says the story notes for UY #13 and #14 are going to be longer than they have room for in the letters column, so they'll probably serialize them over a number of issues or severely edit them down to fit. However, Stan tells me he'll send up the story notes in their 100% entirety for placement on the Grasscutter Website!!! RYYYAAA!!! I'm not certain whether the notes will be sent up as text, or just hand-written, but if they are hand-written, I'll be needing a few transcribers...
***********STAN SAKAI APPEARANCES****************
Stan will be signing at the LA TIMES FESTIVAL OF BOOKS at UCLA on April 19 from 10:30-12:30 at the Heritage Source booth.
Stan will also be giving a presentation on Sunday May 4 at the Doiseki Gallery at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo (Los Angeles) at 1:00 P.M. after which he'll stick around to sign books. This is in conjunction with Children's Day (May 5). Stan will also have a few pieces of art at the show there, so be there or be square!!!
************************************************
UY DOJO CHARACTER OF THE SEASON RESULTS: We have a winner! The new character of the Spring Season is.... Kitsune!!! It was a close race in the beginning between her, Sanshobo, and Jei, but towards the end, Kitsune took off like foxfire. Only 82 people voted, so the results could have been different if all UYD members participated. I myself didn't vote, but would have voted for Kitsune if I had. The results were:
Sanshobo: 18 votes
Jei-san: 18 votes
Kitsune: 30 votes
Nakamura Koji: 4 votes
Inazuma: 11 votes
I also had one guy vote for Gen (making 82 total), but that doesn't count. I chose these five candidates based on their recent appearances in UY. Characters like Tomoe, Gen, and Katsuichi haven't been seen in a while, so they couldn't be candidates... but for the summer, Gen and Tomoe will be on the ballot, I promise you (UY #12)!!! Chizu wasn't a candidate due to her being the Winter Character of the Season, but I'm sure she would have cleaned up this season too (gotta let the other characters have a chance too, ya know!)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
NEW HATAMOTO's!!!
A new Hatamoto has recently joined our ranks: LOU BANK. Lou works at Dark Horse Comics, the publisher of UY, and is dedicated to promoting UY and the UY Dojo! He'll be including the UY Dojo's address on all UY advertising, and will also be making the new Grasscutter Website a part of Dark Horse's Grasscutter promotions. He will also contribute news and information whenever he can. PLEASE email Lou at loub@dhorse.com if you have any suggestions to make concerning Usagi Yojimbo the comic book, and hive him a big "Domo Arigato" for his dedication to UY! He welcomes the comments and suggestions of all UYD members... we're important you know!!!
There's another new Hatamoto to honor: ROBERT VANDUZEE. 'Duzee is the UYD's new Gif Animator, and has created several new animations of UY characters, including a cool Jei animation seen in the Grasscutter Website Homepage. Look around the website for more animation from 'Duzee, and make sure you drop him a line at vanduzee@mail2.nai.net telling him how great his work is!
MORE IMPORTANT NEWS:
UY #11 goes on sale next Wednesday (3-26-97), just in time for Spring Break! This issue is another Grasscutter tie-in, featuring a story with Chizu, Hebi, and Kagemura. The lead story, "Owl", is sure to be cool as well. Make sure you don't miss this one, Ronin!
We need more people to discuss UY stuff on the infamous DojoBoard. The current topic to discuss is, of course, GRASSCUTTER. (there's also talk about new UY character General Ikeda). I'd also like more people to send in their Member Profile for the profile page, which contains several pieces of UY artwork you probably have never seen before. And the profile page IS NOT a chat room like some people have inquired about. It's sort of like a "Who's Who of UYD Membership", and all members are encouraged to participate. Once you send up the required info, I'll send you your username and password so you may access the page. If you'd like to have access before submitting, I will allow it, but you must swear a holy vow before Susano-o-no-Mikoto, the Shinto Deity of Storms, that you WILL submit a profile! Email me if you're interested!
REMINDER!!! If you didn't get the forward email from UY Editor Jamie Rich, here it is again:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"Todd -
Could you put the word out to the fans that we are going to be doing some Usagi products in the near future? We're thinking things like magnets, tattoos, stickers, etc., and we want to know what you guys would be interested in.
The only catch is, we need to make some decisions quick, like by the end of the week or next Monday. Anyone on your mailing list can e-mail me with ideas at the usual address - jamier@dhorse.com.
All input is appreciated.
- pretty soldier sailor Jamie S. Rich
Generation terrorist"
---------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE EMAIL JAMIE YOUR SUGGESTIONS!!!! Now is the time to voice your opinions as to what kinds of UY collectables you'd like to buy. Jamie, if you're reading this, please put me down for a set of UY TRADING CARDS, UY POSTERS, UY METALLIC STICKERS, UY BUTTONS, UY CLOISONNE PINS, UY PEWTER FIGURINES, and yes, a few UY TATOOS would work as well. If anyone else can come up with more ideas for collectables, or would like to see the ones I have listed, tell Jamie immediately!!! BTW, Hatamoto LOU BANK wrote me: "The suggestion I've made internally is a set of traditional Japanese tea cups with Usagi on the side. I'd love to know what the Dojo members think - good or bad? LB"
Well, that's all for now, fellow Dojo Members...
Abayo!
Todd Shogun
SHOGUN - UY DOJO
http://www.usagiyojimbo.com/usagi.html
If you have any questions you want answered, then e-mail to Todd
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