NEWTYPE USA, VOLUME 2 #9, SEPTEMBER 2003

[Steve Hubbell]

A RABBITS TALE: STAN SAKAI TALKS USAGI YOJIMBO
by JENNIFER CONTINO (NEWTYPE USA, VOLUME 2 #9, SEPTEMBER 2003)

Originally from Kyoto, Japan, and reared in Hawaii, Stan Sakai was bitten by the comics bug during childhood, and immediately became a fan of the four-color offerings. He’s always loved the medium, even though his parents threw out his collection at one point. Like a lot of other comic creators, as soon as Sakai realized someone could actually make a living by creating comics, he knew what he wanted to be when he grew up: a comic book creator.

Every story has a beginning, and it’s funny to think how things might have been. Take Sakai’s popular Usagi Yojimbo series, which tells the tale of anthropomorphic characters living in feudal Japan. Usagi Yojimbo, a rabbit, is a wandering samurai and an accomplished warrior whose pilgrimage is one of self-discovery and spirituality. On his journey, Usagi hopes to hone his skills and find his true place in this world. The story is one that almost anyone can relate to and, although it features anthropomorphic characters, is both realistic and powerful. It’s hard to imagine that there was ever a time when Sakai considered not using animal characters, but, instead, humans.

The concept of Usagi Yojimbo began as a tribute to the legendary 17th century samurai, Miyamoto Musashi. In addition to being an accomplished swordsman who was never bested in combat, he was also a writer, a sculptor a philosopher and an artist. His life story has been the subject of several films, novels and other works. With so many people considering Musashi the epitome of the samurai warrior, it’s easy to see why Sakai was inspired to craft his own tale about this heroic Japanese figure.

“There have been so many movies based on Musashi’s life, the most famous of which is Inagaki’s Samurai Trilogy starring Toshiro Mifune,” explains Sakai of his influence. “Most of them are based on the book by Eiji Yoshikawa. Musashi was the epitome of bushido, the way of the samurai. He was an expert and innovative swordsman as well as a philosopher and artist. I wanted to do a comic series loosely based on his life, but while sketching, I drew a rabbit with his ears tied into a chonmage, a samurai topknot, and my character was born. I named him Miyamoto Usagi (usagi means “rabbit or hare’ in Japanese) as homage to Miyamoto Musashi. I wasn’t sure which direction to take the stories - should it be a pure historical series or should I go toward fantasy? The first story, The Goblin of Adachi Plain, pretty much set the mood for the entire series... It’s a fantasy series (with a samurai rabbit, it has to be) but in a historical setting. It gives me the best of both worlds in that I have a country rich in history and culture, but I also have the freedom to stretch that realism beyond its boundaries.”

“Using anthropomorphic characters gives me more freedom in writing as well as art,” says Sakai. “I base the stories in feudal Japan, but they are written with a Western perspective. I don’t think I could do this if I was using human characters. It also makes it clear that this is a fantasy series (though one with roots in the history, tradition and culture of a specific country), and so I can stretch the boundaries a bit more.”

The aspects of history and tradition include a few more characters as inspirations for the series. “Tomoe was inspired by Tomoe Gozen who lived during the Gempei Wars, Japan’s civil war,” explains Sakai. “She was famed for her beauty as well as her skill with the naginata the curved bladed spear. Lord Hikiji is based on Date Masamune, one of the most powerful figures of 17th century Japan. His ambition was to become shogun himself, though he never succeeded.”

Sakai doesn’t just draw inspiration from true historic figures, he’s also influenced by pop culture icons as well. “Lone Goat and Kid is, of course, a parody of Lone Wolf and Cub,” says Sakai. “My blind swordspig, Zato-Ino, is based on Zato-Ichi, the star of 27 movies and a TV series. Even an incarnation of Godzilla has appeared in an early Usagi story. A version of the ronin rabbit warrior Usagi also appeared on the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and was an action figure in that toy line.

The satire of real characters from history as well as their anthropomorphic portrayals should not make one believe this is in any way a straight comedy series, nor detract from the fine epic work woven by Sakai. Usagi Yojimbo has won multiple awards and garnered critical acclaim in its near 20 year existence including: Parents Choice, Inkpot, three Eisners, two Spanish Haxtur Awards, and an American Library Association Award. Sakai does meticulous research into the time period, and his work is so true to form that one of his collected editions, Usagi Yojimbo Book 12: Grasscutter, was used as a textbook in a Japanese history class at the University of Portland.

“Usagi has survived for 19 years, with about 130 issues and numerous appearances in anthologies.” says Sakai. “I think it’s because of its strong characters, exciting stories and its historical and cultural research. The next trade collection is scheduled for September. Duel at Kitanoji collects the stories leading up to the final fight between Katsuichi and Nakamura Koji. It will feature an introduction by one of my all-time favorite cartoonists, Jack Davis” The collection also includes a peek inside Sakai’s sketchbook for some never-before-seen images.

As for the regular series. Sakai has many plans for the warrior rabbit and his traveling companion, Jotaro, a youngster who’s really Usagi’s son but doesn’t know it. “Usagi and Jotaro will be traveling together for the rest of the year” reveals the creator. “They’ll meet many of Usagi’s friends, such as The Lone Goat and Kid and Tomoe Ame. This ‘Father and Son’ story arc should resolve itself in issue 75 or so with Usagi having to decide whether or not to tell Jotaro that he is really Usagi’s son. I’ve also had requests to have more of Usagi’s teacher Katsuichi, so he will have a solo story within that arc.”

“As far as merchandising goes,” continues Sakai, “the Usagi calendar from Tide Mark came out this summer, a nine-inch plastic sculpture was released from Dark Horse, and the first set of gaming figures will be out from Dark Ages Miniatures by the fall. Next year will mark Usagi’s 20th anniversary, and we’re planning a few surprises for that.”

Surprises that, according to series editor, Dark Horse Manga’s Diana Shutz, include, “A big hardcover book called The Art of Usagi Yojimbo, and, hopefully, a PVC set of figurines, featuring seven different characters… plus a whole slew of other projects!”