- Lord Hebi
(Corrected Version) Transcribed by UYD-Hatamoto Julie "Kistune-chan" Munson
by Julian Bynoe (*ahem*)
"Peace, Lord Noriyuki. The storm has ended."
- Lord Hebi
"But I hope there's not a bigger one brewing in the distance."
- Lord Noriyuki
That's how "The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy" story ended seven years ago as Geishu Lord Noriyuki stood aside visiting Lord Hebi, the counsellor to the ambitious Lord Hikiji, after defeating a rival lord's plot to rule Japan in Stan Sakai's Eisner Award-winning comic book series, Usagi Yojimbo (Rabbit Bodyguard).
It seems Lord Noriyuki's prediction has come true as the artist/writer revives his samurai hero Usagi in the new, eight-part epic "Grasscutter." Set for a July release, the story promises to be the best Usagi full-length story since "The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy."
For those unfamiliar with Usagi Yojimbo (UY to its fans), the series chronicles the life and adventures of Miyamoto Usagi (a masterless samurai) wandering throughout an anthropomorphic 17th-century Japan (Edo Period) -- a time of political instability rife with an uncertainty of the future. Yojimbo tries to find a place for himself in this time, helping those in trouble and serving justice when required.
The story behind "Grasscutter," which Sakai has been planning for the last two years, refers to Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the legendary sword that possesses the Shinto deity of storms, Susano-o-no-Mikoto. The sword, a real-life artifact, is one of the three sacred treasures of the imperial family of Japan and is now stored in the Atsuta Shrine in Owari Prefecture, where a festival is held in its honour every June 21.
According to legend, Grasscutter, orginally named Amaru Murakumo no Tsurugi ("Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven"), came from the tail of an eight-headed dragon slain by Susano-o-no-Mikoto during a mission to rescue a princess. Afterwards, he presented the sword to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu because he felt unworthy of such a treasure. It was passed down to her grandson Ninigi, along with the other two imperial heirlooms (a mirror and the Yusaka rope of jewels) before he descended to Earth where his descendants would begin the Japanese imperial line.
In 110 B.C., Prince Yamato, while on his way to suppress a rebellion on the Northeast coast, was ambushed by rebels in a dry rush plain that they had set on fire. By using the magical sword given to him by his aunt before the battle, Yamato cut his way through the burning grass and defeated his enemies -- henceforth the sword's name from that time on.
During the Genpei Civil War, the boy-Emperor Antoku Tenno wore Grasscutter at the naval battle of Dan no-ura Straits. When the battle fell in favour of the opposing side, Tenno's grandmother took him into her arms and plunged him into the sea where both perished and Grasscutter disappeared -- or so it seemed.
That is the two-part prologue to UY's "Grasscutter," which follows a short story telling of the creation of the Japanese Islands. Along for the ride, Usagi will have a large cast of past and present UY characters. His old friends Gennosuke, the amoral bounty hunter, Lord Noriyuki and his top retainer Tomoe Ame (sporting a new look!), Priest Shanshobo -- introduced in an earlier UY issue and recently appeared in UY #9, an issue that also introduced the mysterious Conspiracy of Eight. The Eight are plotting to overthrow the Shogun and reinstate the Emperor, and will play a role in "Grasscutter." Other UY foes will play a part as well, including his arch-enemy Jei -- the demon-possessed spearmaster (with his innocent companion Keiko), the notorious Neko Ninja Clan -- led by their lovely-but-deadly leader Chizu (who will be seen in UY #11 with Lord Hebi), the series omnipotent-but-never-seen villain Lord Hikiji, not to mention quite a few new characters.
Sakai is keeping the rest of his story a secret for the time being as he prepares to launch UY's longest storyline in the series' 13-year history. If you really want to wet your appetite for the "Grasscutter" tale, check out the previously mentioned comics, including UY #12, that will precede the "Grasscutter" tale. Usagi Yojimbo #13 brings back Gen and, for the first time in many years, Tomoe in a post-"Dragon Bellow Conspiracy" flash-back story, titled "Vampire Cat of the Geishu." Watch for that in May, and also the upcoming UY colour special Green Persimmon, which hits stores in July.
"Grasscutter" is the one Usagi Yojimbo story all martial arts fans and Usagi-philes out there will definitely not want to miss this summer!
(Version as was published in Realms Vol. 1, Issue 23 - May 7, 1997)
by Julian Bynoe
"Peace, Lord Noriyuki. The storm has ended."
- Lord Hebi
"But I hope there's not a bigger one brewing in the distance."
- Lord Noriyuki
That's how "The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy" story ended seven years ago as Geishu Lord Noriyuki stood aside visiting Lord Hebi, the counsellor to the ambitious Lord Hikiji, after defeating a rival lord's plot to rule Japan in Stan Sakai's Eisner Award-winning comic book series, Usagi Yojimbo (Rabbit Boobyguard).
It seems Lord Noriyuki's prediction has come true as the artist/writer revives his samurai hero Usagi in the new, eight-part epic "Grasscutter." Set for a July release, the story promises to be the best Usagi full-length story since "The Dragon Bellow Conspiracy."
For those unfamiliar with Usagi Yojimbo (UY to its fans), the series chronicles the life and adventures of Miyamoto Usagi (matterless samurai) wandering throughout an anthropomorphic 17th-century Japan (Edo Period) -- a time of political instability rife with an uncertainty of the future. Yojimbo tries to find a place for himself in this time, helping those in trouble and serving justice when required.
The story behind "Grasscutter," which Sakai has been planning for the last two years, refers to Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the legendary sword that possesses the Shinto deity of storms, Susano-o-no-Mikato. The sword, a real-life artifact, is one of the three sacred treasures of the imperial family of Japan and is now stored in the Atsuta Shrine in Owari Prefecture, where a festival is held in its honour every June 21.
According to legend, Grasscutter, orginally named Amaru Murakumo no Tsurugi ("Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven"), came from the tail of an eight-headed dragon slain by Susano-o-no-Mikoto during a mission to rescue a princess. Afterwards, he presented the sword to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu because he felt unworthy of such a treasure. It was passed down to her grandson Ninigi, along with the other two imperial heirlooms (a mirror and the Yusaka rope of jewels) before he descended to Earth where his descendants would begin the Japanese imperial line.
In 110 B.C., Prince Yamato, while on his way to suppress a rebellion on the Northeast coast, was ambushed by rebels in a dry rush plain that they had set on fire. By using the magical sword given to him by his aunt before the battle, Yamato cut his way through the burning grass and defeated his enemies -- henceforth the sword's name from that time on.
During the Genpei Civil War, the boy-Emperor Antoku Tenno wore Grasscutter at the naval battle of Dan no-ura Straights. When the battle fell in favour of the opposing side, Tenno's grandmother took him into her arms and plunged him into the sea where both perished and Grasscutter disappeared -- or so it seemed.
That is the two-part prologue to UY's "Grasscutter," which follows a short story telling of the creation of the Japanese Islands. Along for the ride, Usagi will have a large cast of past and present UY characters. His old friends Gennosuke, the amoral bounty hunter, Lord Noriyuki and his top retainer Tomoe Ame (sporting a new look!), Priest Shanshobo -- introduced in an earlier UY issue and recently appeared in UY #9, an issue that also introduced the mysterious Conspiracy of Eight. The Eight are plotting to overthrow the Shogun and reinstate the Emperor, and will play a role in "Grasscutter." Other UY foes will play a part as well, including his arch-enemy Jei -- the demon-possessed spearmaster (with his innocent companion Keiko), the notorious Neko Ninja Clan -- led by their lovely-but-deadly leader Chizu (who will be seen in UY #11 with Lord Hebi), the series omnipotent-but-never-seen villain Lord Hikiji, not to mention quite a few new characters.
Sakai is keeping the rest of his story a secret for the time being as he prepares to launch UY's longest storyline in the series' 13-year history. If you really want to wet your appetite for the "Grasscutter" tale, check out the previously mentioned comics, including UY #12, that will precede the "Grasscutter" tale. Usagi Yojimbo #13 brings back Gen and, for the first time in many years, Tomoe in a post-"Dragon Bellow Conspiracy" flash-back story, titled "Vampire Cat of the Geishu." Watch for that in May, and also the upcoming UY colour special Green Persimmon, which hits stores in July.
"Grasscutter" is the one Usagi Yojimbo story all martial arts fans and Usagi-philes out there will definitely not want to miss this summer!
A note from The Shogun: This article appeared with a couple errors which I just had to correct. My apologies to the writer of the article, but that's just the way it goes. Kitsune-chan did an excellent job in transcribing this with all the "mistakes", as I could not have. By the way, the last page of "Dragon Bellow" in UY #17 was also included in the article (the one with Gen, Usagi, and Tomoe). The caption reads: "Gen, Usagi, and Tomoe reunite for 'Grasshopper' epic."... Ah, yes, Daniel-san :/
Last change: 30. Sep 2002
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Usagi Yojimbo, including all prominent characters
featured in the stories and the distinctive likenesses thereof are
trademarks of Stan Sakai and Usagi Studios. Usagi Yojimbo is a registered
trademark of Stan Sakai. Names, characters, places, and incidents featured
in this publication either are the product of the authors imagination or are
used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead),
events, institutions, or locales, without satiric content, is
coincidental.
