Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

A question for Stan (or anyone really, I guess, lol)

I'm sure that I've read somewhere that there's been some very young Lords in Japanese history, so, I have always wondered, is Lord Noriyuki based on anyone one them? As he's quite a young Lord (isn't he early/mid teens?).

Also, we have had his origin, somewhere, of how he lost his parents and came to power, haven't we? Or did I imagine it, lol... Hm, the more I think about it, the more I'm not sure now... haha. If we haven't, Stan, are we likely to see it?

Thanks for everyone's time

Also, we have had his origin, somewhere, of how he lost his parents and came to power, haven't we?

Some of his background is given in "The Patience of the Spider", DH, v.11 I believe (Seasons?)

After the Gempei War in the 12th century, Japan was ruled by an 6 year old emperor (if I remember correctly).

Some of early days of Noriyuki was seen in the UY Color Special #1. It tells the early days of Tomoe, and how she became Noriyuki's bodyguard. The story will be reprinted in UY Book 22: Tomoe's Story.

Stan, how old is Noriyuki, Jotaro, Motokazu, Kiyoko and Keiko?

roel wrote:Stan, how old is Noriyuki, Jotaro, Motokazu, Kiyoko and Keiko?

I really never gave it much thought. I just put my characters into groups: young guys, Usagi's age, and old guys.

Stan Sakai wrote: I really never gave it much thought. I just put my characters into groups: young guys, Usagi's age, and old guys.

Oh, Okay. Would you say that Noriyuki is a little older than Jotaro? I'd like to sculpt these two so I'm trying to figure out their height diferrences. Right now I figure that the top of Jotaro's head would be in line with the bottom of Usagi's chest mon. I think Noriyuki would just be a little taller than that.

roel wrote:
Oh, Okay. Would you say that Noriyuki is a little older than Jotaro? .

Yes, Noriyuki is definitely at least a couple of years older than Jotaro.

Noriyuki and Jotaro have both visibly grown since their first appearance. I'd say the latter was only 5 or 6 in Book 1, but he's probably 8 or 9 when he reappears in Book 17. I'd personally give Noriyuki two or three years more, but we'll try to ascertain those details in the new chronology.

Oh, by the way, I've just remarked that Noriyuki was given a topknot only at the end of Book Three. Why that ? He doesn't look much older, though.

Thanks for the reply guys!

roel wrote:Oh, Okay. Would you say that Noriyuki is a little older than Jotaro? I'd like to sculpt these two so I'm trying to figure out their height diferrences. Right now I figure that the top of Jotaro's head would be in line with the bottom of Usagi's chest mon. I think Noriyuki would just be a little taller than that.

AH!! You're going to sculpt Joatro?!!! FANTASIC!!
Your Usagi's and... is it Itto or Otto? (Can't remember) were so so wonderful! You should think about a small producing line for the Dojo members, hehe!

Cosmo wrote: Oh, by the way, I've just remarked that Noriyuki was given a topknot only at the end of Book Three. Why that ? He doesn't look much older, though.

Could it be that maybe in the early Noriyuki appearances since he was "on the run" with Tomoe he did not wear a chonmage for fear of being easily identified? It could also be that he cut if off for the same reason, and then it grew back by the time Shogun's Gift rolled around... I dunno...

Cutting off one's own chonmage ?! A daimyô ?....

...better cutting one's throat... or, better, one's belly...