Goldrush Usagi RPG Timeline

[Cosmo]

Hi everybody,

Two weeks ago, I visited my comrade Fanfan from the French UYD, who kindly showed me his impressive collection of Usagi items. I particularly remarked the book accompanying the Usagi Yojimbo Roleplaying Game, edited by Goldrush and currently out of print, which features in Appendix A an interesting "Official Usagi Yojimbo Timeline".

I was looking for such information since a long time, so I asked Fanfan to scan it and send it to me so that I could translate it, which he did today (thanks, Fanfan ). I have several questions :

1. To what extent is this timeline "official" ? It says :

This timeline was compiled and written by Jared Smith, Mark Arsenault, Glenn Masuda and Todd Bustillo of the Usagi Yojimbo Dojo. Many thanks to Usagi Yojimbo creator Stan Sakai for his help and making this an "official" Usagi timeline.

Considering that the Goldrush RPG is out of print, can this timeline still be accepted as canon ? Is there any plans to update it, since it stops with the beginning of Grasscutter (UY#3, 14) ? If I can be of any help in it, just ask.

2. The timeline states the date of Usagi's birth as 1578, which agrees with my own hypothesis (1580). The events of 1597 and after also seem to be right. The problem lies between the two :

- Usagi should have left home and met Katsuichi at the age of 14, "almost 15" (see Book 2). I don't know what's your opinion on it, but Usagi really doesn't look like he's 15 at this time. He's really small compared to adults, and clearly not full-grown. Same thing for Kenichi.

- Same problem with many incidents of Usagi's childhood : the encounter with Aki-Onna is supposed to have taken place on Fall 1593 ; the incident on the deserted battlefield (Book 8, "Battlefield") in Summer 1595, Usagi then being 17 (!). This latter case really seems inconsistent. In this story, Usagi looks closer to 7 than 17 years old !

- In my opinion, Usagi has probably left home earlier than 1593. It is likely, methinks, that he remained Katsuichi's apprentice much more than only four or five years. How could Usagi have reached such levels of mastery, otherwise ? Even with a crafted master like Katsuichi, it seems difficult.

- I personnally suggest that we switch Usagi's departure for the Dogora Fencing School from 1593 to, I'd say, 1589 or 1590. According to my informations, the ceremony where the young boys received their chonmage topknots took place between the age of 11 and 17. The following article (http://www.japantoday.com/jp/comment/1032) says "between 12 and 16".

The events of Usagi's childhood (before 1597) should be switched as well, so that the rest of this wonderful timeline remains consistent. What do you think of all this ?

[Musashi]

You certainly make a solid case, Cosmo. I hesitate trying to nail any firm timeline down, though, as this is fantasy. Still, I do like continuity. I wouldn't ever claim to publish an OFFICIAL timeline, however, without Mr. Sakai's approval.

[Eisprinzessin-san]

http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/ ... cfm?page=1

WIZARD: [...] Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think Usagi has ever spelled out exactly what year the story is set in, has it?

SAKAI: I’ve alluded to different periods, and actually someone took my hints and created an Usagi timeline. And I was amazed that it was right on the money. All the hints I’ve laid down—and some were very vague and some were more specific, such as when the first Tokugawa Shogun stepped down in 1605—but someone made a timeline where everything fits perfectly. I actually had my own timeline, but I never told anyone. And I was just amazed that the timeline he created matched mine to the nose. So right now, officially it’s just about November of 1605 going into 1606. So it was that specific, but I never told anyone.

[Todd Shogun]

I created that timeline for Gold Rush way back in the day, with the help of some fellow Dojo Members (Jared Smith and Glenn Masuda). The main reason for it's creation was Grasscutter, a storyline which dealt quite a bit with the mythology of Japan and historic events. We wanted to place Usagi's continuity within Japan's history, so the UY timeline was born. As you noted, it leads up to Grasscutter.

It was official then, but one part has changed significantly: the first three Color Specials with Tomoe fitting in right after the Dragon Bellow Conspiracy in 1603 -- those now take place after The Treasure of the Mother of Mountains storyline during which Usagi and Tomoe were "together". I think as far as everything else goes, it is fairly accurate still. Way back when, we worked with Stan and got his approval on it. He always said he was surprised by the accuracy.

Cosmo: As far as trying to get it as close as possible, it may be tough. As Musashi points out, this is fantasy. I do have the expanded Timeline posted (secretly) on the Dojo. It's here: http://usagiyojimbo.com/other/time.html

Maybe it is time to revise it and bring it up to current, with the approval of Stan. Stan what do you think?

[Stan Sakai]

Maybe it is time to revise it and bring it up to current, with the approval of Stan. Stan what do you think?

It's fine with me. I'm still amazed at how closely your timeline matches my own.

[Cosmo]

Cosmo: As far as trying to get it as close as possible, it may be tough. As Musashi points out, this is fantasy. I do have the expanded Timeline posted (secretly) on the Dojo. It's here: http://usagiyojimbo.com/other/time.html

Thanks Well, Usagi Yojimbo is not pure fantasy, its historical accurateness is one of its strong points. Your nice timeline is only more precious.

Is there any problem with the small modifications I suggested (as for historical facts or internal continuity) ? I am sorry to insist on this precise point, I know this may sound like fanw@nk, but there's a reason why I am an historian.

[Fanfan]

Can we publish a french translation of this timeline on UsagiYojimbo.fr, after revision (if necessary) ?

[Todd Shogun]

Cosmo: I think we can work together on the timeline. Let me know if you're interested in updating it to where the story is today, or if anyone else out there is. I unfortunately don't have any time. As for your changes to Usagi's childhood history, I'll review them and incorporate them into the timeline. Being an historian would make you the perfect candidate for maintaining Usagi's history through the timeline. We can feature it on the Dojo formally once it's all complete, assuming you're interested!

Fanfan: I think a French-translated timeline is a great idea. In fact, anything that you can translate into French that is on the Dojo here would be a major plus. Thanks!

[Cosmo]

I'm surely interested ! There's only one problem : the Usagi monthly issues are quite expensive here in France (due to shipping costs), and even harder to find than the TPBs.

Internet doesn't always make things easier. I ordered Book 18 on amazon.co.uk exactly two months ago and I still haven't got it. Therefore, I'll have many stories to catch up.

Still, I think we can update the timeline up to the duel between Nakumura Koji and Katsuichi (UY#3, 60). Of course, I can do some historical research if needed.

I think I'll also handle the French translation, once we have a "stable" timeline.

And... wait a minute. Why don't we just say that Usagi simply had a very late and sudden puberty ? That explains it, eh ?

[Todd Shogun]

Thanks Cosmo. Wow, the UYD has it's own historian now. I wonder how you say that in Japanese, "historian"...

[Cosmo]

I'd say, 史学者 (shigakusha). Incidentally, the last kanji is the same than in shugyôsha (修行者).

[MikeM]

Internet doesn't always make things easier. I ordered Book 18 on amazon.co.uk exactly two months ago and I still haven't got it. Therefore, I'll have many stories to catch up.

Apparenty volume 18 is impossible to find ANYWHERE! My local comic shop has been trying for over a year now and he still can't get it in.

Its the only one that I am missing!

MikeM

[Stan Sakai]

Apparenty volume 18 is impossible to find ANYWHERE! My local comic shop has been trying for over a year now and he still can't get it in.

Its the only one that I am missing!

MikeM

Dark Horse is bringing everything back into print in the next few months, so Book 18 will be available soon.

[Space Wolf]

Are they releasing these in numerical order? Or just various trades here and there?

[Stan Sakai]

Are they releasing these in numerical order? Or just various trades here and there?

I'm not sure, but my understanding was that they would be printed all at the same time.