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.
Depending on who you ask, Hikiji is either a highly honourable man or a total douche. I honestly don't think Hikiji has any problem resorting to down-and-dirty tactics to get his way, as long as he can pin his crimes on an unsuspecting patsy. Just look at how he used General Toda to shoulder all the shame for the Adachigahara massacre. Hikiji's the sort of leader who'd make Machiavelli proud; he knows how to exploit the rigid social orders and strict codes of feudal-era Japan to his own advantage.
Lord Hikiji was inspired by two people--one historical and one fictional.
Date Masamune was the lord of Sendai Province at the turn of the 1600's (when Usagi's adventures take place, and where Usagi comes from). He was nicknamed the One-eye Dragon, because he wore an eye patch, and aspired to become Shogun but never did. He sent the first envoy of samurai to the Vatican for an audience with the Pope, a mission that ended in failure when the Pope refused to see them though they were just outside the audience chamber.
The fictional character was the villain of the TV series Kage no Gundam (Shadow Warriors) season 2, starring Shinichi Chiba. It's been awhile since I've seen the series, and I don't remember the villain's name or specifics from the show, but I do know he was nicknamed The Dark Shogun. Season 2 was the best of all the series. Season 1 is out on DVD. The entire series followed small groups of the Iga ninja clan in different points of history. They also all featured much the same actors. Most of the characters would die by the end of each season, but they would be back (under new names) in the next season. Season 2 also featured Etsuko Shiomi who was the visual inspiration for Tomoe Ame.