Usagi's Travels?

[theGreatMutoh]

Hey everyone, new to the boards here. Like most I am sure, I first discovered Usagi through the TMNT's and recently decided to pick up a few issues. Started with the Crows 3 part story and I am hooked! I definately plan to fill in my collection and will be around for awhile.

Just had a quick question about Usagi, though. Has Usagi ever traveled out of Japan to other parts of the world? Like to Europe or the Middle East? Any possibility that he might someday?

[Steve Hubbell]

Welcome to the Dojo, and the world of Usagi Yojimbo!

Just had a quick question about Usagi, though. Has Usagi ever traveled out of Japan to other parts of the world? Like to Europe or the Middle East? Any possibility that he might someday?

Concerning your question, in 25 years and approximately 170 issues, Usagi has never gotten out of Japan, unless you count the stories "Usagi's Ark" and "Hare Today, Hare Tomorrow" where Usagi was transported completely off the planet.

With Japan during Usagi's time being a closed country, unauthorized travel outside the country was forbidden, but you can never tell what might happen in a future story.

As far as a story of a samurai travelling to the Middle East or Europe, check out the two Samurai: Heaven and Earth mini-series by Ron Marz and Luke Ross, also published by Dark Horse Comics.

[Mayhem]

With Japan during Usagi's time being a closed country, unauthorized travel outside the country was forbidden, but you can never tell what might happen in a future story.

I thought the "current" year in Usagi was about 1607 or 1608? Foreign trade was still occurring, and the Japanese were certainly leaving the islands (there are records and evidence they travelled to various other Asian countries during this time). It wasn't until a few years later (and possibly due to Christianity) that trade began to be restricted until the edict of 1635 where select foreigners were only allowed to dock and trade at one port in Nagasaki and Japanese were forbidden from leaving.

Obviously correct me if I'm wrong about any of that, but that's what I believe happened...?