Grasscutter, Yoshitsune & the Genpei Wars...

[Texcap]

While I hate to admit it, this is the first time that I've read Stan's Eisner winning epic: "Grasscutter." But it finally arrived about a week ago, and I sat down to really start reading it yesterday afternoon after work. I currently find myself about 3/4th's of the way through -- and at just about the point where Tomoe, Lord Noriyoki and Ike are attempting to make it safely to the Geishu Territory whilst Usagi and Gen pursue Kitanamono and the Kusanagi blade elsewhere.

And I am already completely blown away.

But I don't want to just limit myself to saying that every time I visit the dojo from now on -- it's too easy. Every Usagi story I've had the good fortune of reading has left a strong impression on me and this one is no different, in fact, not only has it done that once more where the story is concerned but it has also served to inspire me to dig a little deeper in the last 24-hours into the history of the backdrop in the tale. Namely, the legend of the Kusanagi, the battle of Dan-no-ura, the tale of Susa-no-Ō and Yamata-no-Orochi (which I've heard, in part, before) as well as the history of Minamoto Yoshitsune and the Genpei Wars. I was drawn into the details of these stories as Stan presented them in the opening chapters, and in asking my girlfriend (who is Japanese) about them that same evening on the phone, she was able to tell me a little more about how popular and well known these stories and historical events are in Japan, and what she knew about figures like Yoshitsune -- bringing it to life in a whole other way. Today, I've spent a good hour or two pouring over an awful lot of information about the famous samurai and these various other aspects of the story and I can't tell you how much fun its been. Nor how good of a job Stan did in relaying some of these spectacular stories and events.

I read about Yohitsune, then happily turn to the opening chapters in the book again to see those redeemable features in the fierce and honorable warrior he portrays there in his own unique and imaginative way. Also present are the historical nuggets like Yoshitsune wanting to show his loyalty to his mistrusting brother, a narrative about his steep rush down a cliff to route the Heike previously, and among others, the reverence paid a warrior on the opposing side, Taira Tomomori. Detail after detail is present in Stan's story and I'm just plum fascinated...

...yea, the curse of a want-to-be historian.

The other curse being that by the time I was done this morning, I had also purchased Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 17: Duel At Kitanoji and Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings because apparently I had to have them now.

Anyway, I very much look forward to reading the rest of the story later today but I wanted to make sure I dropped by here early to say just how much fun I've had with it already! It already deserves all the praise it is heaped, and more. Thanks for it.






Ah, and I can't tell you how funny those "floo!" scenes always are. I reckon y'all know what I'm speaking of here...ha!

[Ben]

Ah, and I can't tell you how funny those "floo!" scenes always are. I reckon y'all know what I'm speaking of here...ha!

Yes, whenever one of Usagi's slain enemies releases the death cry of "Floo!", my lungs explode. What a way to go...

[Steve Hubbell]

Grasscutter definitely is a perfect example of excellent graphic story-telling skill, and all of Stan's research and workmanship paid off when Grasscutter was included as one of the textbooks in the Japanese History classes at the University of Portland (OR).

[Texcap]

Grasscutter definitely is a perfect example of excellent graphic story-telling skill, and all of Stan's research and workmanship paid off when Grasscutter was included as one of the textbooks in the Japanese History classes at the University of Portland (OR).

See, now why don't I ever get textbooks like that!? Very cool.

[Texcap]

Just to follow-up:

Any chance that Stan's Minamoto Yoshitsune, of "Grasscutter" fame shows up in any other flashback stories? That's probably a long shot, but he was such a fascinating character in the book I was just hoping that might be the case.

Thanks again for any assist there.

[Stan Sakai]

Just to follow-up:

Any chance that Stan's Minamoto Yoshitsune, of "Grasscutter" fame shows up in any other flashback stories? That's probably a long shot, but he was such a fascinating character in the book I was just hoping that might be the case.

Thanks again for any assist there.

I won't promise anything, but there are a lot of story possibilities. The first meeting of Yoshitsune and Benkei would make an excellent flashback story. Maybe it could be connected with the flute Yoshitsune had. It could act as a lost heirloom that Usagi has to track down.

Hmmm...

[Texcap]

Sensei, I'm honored that you'd so much as consider it.

No worries, I won't let my enthusiasm get the best of me, but I have to admit that I like the sound of that sudden story idea, and particularly that "Hmmm..."

Thanks again for taking the time to answer.