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Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #22
Usagi Yojimbo, Vol. 22: Tomoe's Story
Learn why Tomoe is the most valuable retainer of Lord Noriuki of the Geishu Province, then plunge into a terrifying ghost story where a string of mysterious murders point to a woman dead for ten years. Finally, experience the mesmerizing beauty of a formal tea ceremony, as Usagi and Tomoe share this spiritual event to mark the rabbit ronin's departure from the province to resume his travels. This volume chronicles the evolution of the relationship between Usagi and Tomoe, with a collection of stories ranging from exciting to exquisite. "Tomoe's Story" captures the very essence of what has made Usagi Yojimbo a hit for over twenty years!
184 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2008
2 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Stan Sakai
920 books373 followersStan Sakai (Japanese: 坂井 スタンSakai Sutan; born May 25, 1953) is an artist who became known as an Eisner Award-winning comic book originator.
Born in Kyoto, Sakai grew up in Hawaii and studied fine arts at the University of Hawaii. He later attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He and his wife, Sharon, presently reside and work in Pasadena.
He began his career by lettering comic books (notably Groo the Wanderer by Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier) and became famous with the production of Usagi Yojimbo, the epic saga of Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit living in late-sixteenth and early-seventeenth-century Japan. First published in 1984, the comic continues to this day, with Sakai as the lone author and nearly-sole artist (Tom Luth serves as the main colorist on the series, and Sergio Aragonés has made two small contributions to the series: the story "Broken Ritual" is based on an idea by Aragonés, and he served as a guest inker for the black and white version of the story "Return to Adachi Plain" that is featured in the Volume 11 trade paper-back edition of Usagi Yojimbo). He also made a futuristic spin-off series Space Usagi. His favorite movie is Satomi Hakkenden (1959).
Born in Kyoto, Sakai grew up in Hawaii and studied fine arts at the University of Hawaii. He later attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He and his wife, Sharon, presently reside and work in Pasadena.
He began his career by lettering comic books (notably Groo the Wanderer by Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier) and became famous with the production of Usagi Yojimbo, the epic saga of Miyamoto Usagi, a samurai rabbit living in late-sixteenth and early-seventeenth-century Japan. First published in 1984, the comic continues to this day, with Sakai as the lone author and nearly-sole artist (Tom Luth serves as the main colorist on the series, and Sergio Aragonés has made two small contributions to the series: the story "Broken Ritual" is based on an idea by Aragonés, and he served as a guest inker for the black and white version of the story "Return to Adachi Plain" that is featured in the Volume 11 trade paper-back edition of Usagi Yojimbo). He also made a futuristic spin-off series Space Usagi. His favorite movie is Satomi Hakkenden (1959).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 16, 2023
Usagi Yojimbo never fails to please. This particular volume contains a lot of supernatural creatures such as fox spirits, ghosts, and haunted paintings. However, the best story in this volume is "Chanoyu". It depicts the tea ceremony accurately in a farewell story. It perfectly encapsulates being reserved and restrained while emotions are roiling underneath. It perfectly represents what is beautiful in traditional Japanese culture.
March 16, 2021
Název této knize dává pouze krátký úvodní příběh, který nás ale vysílá na cestu, kterou umí Stan provázet skvěle. Soubor kratších příběhů, které dávají větší celek, některé čerpají z příběhů dřívějších, jiné zase vytváří potenciální základ pro příběhy budoucí, každý však hlavně vypráví ten svůj vlastní příběh a zároveň je střípkem většího celku. Líbí se mi, že tady nás Stan Sakai letmo a jen tak mimoděk seznámí s fungováním dvora a zvyklostí feudálního Japonska, včetně čajového rituálu. Hodně oceňuji eleganci proměny směru hlavního příběhu, který počíná Usagiho návštěvou klanu Geishi a trávení času s Tomoe. Na první pohled vypadá, že nikam nesměřuje, ale ta krása je v tom, že nám malé střípky ukazují, co se vlastně odehrává a ten závěr má opravdu krásnou "japonskou" estetiku nevyřčeného. Stan je opravdu mistr vypravěč a i po dvaadvaceti knihách mě o tom opět přesvědčuje.
March 29, 2018
This is still my favorite series in comics today. The entire book is Usagi and Tomoe stories, including Tomoe telling of her childhood and becoming a top retainer for Lord Noriyuki, which is surprisingly probably the least engaging of the stories here! Lots of supernatural in this volume: the haunted supernatural paint set that enables paintings to come to life returns, as an assassin uses it to strike at Noriyuki. Another tale has assassins trying to destroy a peace treaty and hiding in a haunted well, and Tomoe has to save Usagi from a fox spirit's wiles.
However, the two best stories play Usagi's free-spirited, pickpocket friend Kitsune against honorable and rule-abiding Tomoe to great comedic effect. Usagi - who knows Kitsune enough to guess at what she's playing at - makes a great counterpoint to the two ladies, trying to keep them civil and prevent either from any undue harm. The final story is one of those particularly special Usagi classics, a loving re-creation of a traditional Japanese cultural phenomenon, the traditional tea ceremony in this case. Sakai's simple, understated cartooning really captures the essence of the ceremony, just as he does every other aspect of Japanese life. Sakai's a great visual storyteller, a strong character designer and a careful, subtle writer. As usual, the latest Usagi Yojimbo volume is flat-out terrific.
However, the two best stories play Usagi's free-spirited, pickpocket friend Kitsune against honorable and rule-abiding Tomoe to great comedic effect. Usagi - who knows Kitsune enough to guess at what she's playing at - makes a great counterpoint to the two ladies, trying to keep them civil and prevent either from any undue harm. The final story is one of those particularly special Usagi classics, a loving re-creation of a traditional Japanese cultural phenomenon, the traditional tea ceremony in this case. Sakai's simple, understated cartooning really captures the essence of the ceremony, just as he does every other aspect of Japanese life. Sakai's a great visual storyteller, a strong character designer and a careful, subtle writer. As usual, the latest Usagi Yojimbo volume is flat-out terrific.
June 19, 2015
I've always been intrigued by the character Tomoe. She provides a nice balance to Usagi, offering a woman who is strong enough to fight on her own, but also adding a little bit of romantic tension to Usagi's wanderings.
In this book, we get a whole lot of Tomoe and the relationship between her and Usagi gains depth. Stan Sakai is at the top of his storytelling game here, with the book culminating with one of the saddest Usagi tales so far. Doubly impressive is that he manages to tell this sad story with very few words, reminding me of the ability to tell stories and convey emotion in much the way that Jason ("Hey, wait..." and "I Killed Adolf Hitler"), another favorite of mine, does.
Few and far between are the comics that convey the sense of emotion that this book has. Even though I was saddened near the end, I loved every minute of Tomoe's Story. The artwork is impressive as usual, pacing spot on, and attention to authentic Japanese story and detail is admirable as ever.
In this book, we get a whole lot of Tomoe and the relationship between her and Usagi gains depth. Stan Sakai is at the top of his storytelling game here, with the book culminating with one of the saddest Usagi tales so far. Doubly impressive is that he manages to tell this sad story with very few words, reminding me of the ability to tell stories and convey emotion in much the way that Jason ("Hey, wait..." and "I Killed Adolf Hitler"), another favorite of mine, does.
Few and far between are the comics that convey the sense of emotion that this book has. Even though I was saddened near the end, I loved every minute of Tomoe's Story. The artwork is impressive as usual, pacing spot on, and attention to authentic Japanese story and detail is admirable as ever.
February 10, 2019
Just when you think that after 21 books and ~3000 pages the time has come to see Usagi and Tomoe verge into an illegal but most-wanted romance, Sakai ruins your hopes and dreams. :P
Jokes aside, this volume was much expected and long overdue. Tomoe deserved a decent backstory and to be the protagonist for a change. The last story, "Chanoyu" or the Tea ceremony, is just another proof of how superbly he implements Japan's culture into the comic. Yes, he rehearses the formal Japanese tea ceremony with an anthropomorphic Rabbit and a cat (Tomoe is a dog or a cat? Or a kitsune? Could never tell). And yes, he makes it flawless. He's that good.
Jokes aside, this volume was much expected and long overdue. Tomoe deserved a decent backstory and to be the protagonist for a change. The last story, "Chanoyu" or the Tea ceremony, is just another proof of how superbly he implements Japan's culture into the comic. Yes, he rehearses the formal Japanese tea ceremony with an anthropomorphic Rabbit and a cat (Tomoe is a dog or a cat? Or a kitsune? Could never tell). And yes, he makes it flawless. He's that good.
May 14, 2021
The origin of Tomoe! Not sure which volume she first appeared in but I can't imagine waiting this long to read her story. Her relationship with Usagi is at the forefront of this volume, highlighted by a near wordless, detailed tea ceremony.
The more I read this the more I love it.
The more I read this the more I love it.
Read
August 12, 2011I especially loved the Tea Ceremony episode. I enjoy the detail of story and illustration in these books.
March 1, 2017
I love the subtle complexity of the relationship between Usagi and Tomoe and how it influences all of their actions. I couldn't possibly love this series more.
March 26, 2012
La saga d'Usagi Yojimbo se poursuit dans ce vingt-deuxième livre. Après la longue épopée autour d'une mystérieuse mine d'or narrée dans le tome précédent, Stan Sakai prend le temps de préciser une partie de la destinée de Tomoe. L'aventure reprend ensuite ses droits avec une série de meurtres perpétrés au cœur même de la forteresse du seigneur Noriyuki ! La perspicacité légendaire d'Usagi sera nécessaire pour élucider cette intrigue.
Chronologiquement, les trois premiers récits datent du débuts des années quatre-vingt-dix, à une époque où le trait du dessinateur n'était pas encore arrivé à pleine maturité. La comparaison avec les autres chapitres du volume permet de remarquer toute l'évolution graphique de l'auteur. Cette différence stylistique n'est absolument pas gênante puisque ce rendu un peu moins maîtrisé est à l’unisson avec les propos relatés : la jeunesse de Tomoe. Ce personnage secondaire d'importance – il s'agit de l'amour contrarié du héros – voit une partie de son lointain passé dévoilé pour le plus grand bonheur des lecteurs.
Outre ce petit retour en arrière, ce recueil est également intéressant à d'autres égards. En effet, les différents types narratifs caractéristiques de l'auteur y sont présents. Outre une anecdote classique de fantôme mâtinée d'enquête policière et une de voleurs, on trouve également un épisode sur fond de culture, genre ayant particulièrement la faveur de l'artiste. L'histoire qui clôt cet opus, Chanoyu (la cérémonie du thé en japonais), est à ce propos tout à fait remarquable. Le scénariste utilise ce moment privilégié de la culture nippone – les étapes du rituel sont détaillés méticuleusement – pour décrire la relation entretenue entre Usagi et Tomoe. Le résultat est extraordinaire, en vingt-quatre pages quasiment muettes et remplies d'émotion, Stan Sakai résume tous les sentiments et les déchirements partagés par les deux héros.
Après près de vingt-cinq ans, Stan Sakai continue d'animer son petit monde anthropomorphique avec l'enthousiasme du premier jour. Pour sa diversité et son accessibilité, ce tome 22 des aventures d'Usagi Yojimbo est, particulièrement pour le nouveau venu, un excellent moyen de faire connaissance avec cet univers passionnant.
Chronologiquement, les trois premiers récits datent du débuts des années quatre-vingt-dix, à une époque où le trait du dessinateur n'était pas encore arrivé à pleine maturité. La comparaison avec les autres chapitres du volume permet de remarquer toute l'évolution graphique de l'auteur. Cette différence stylistique n'est absolument pas gênante puisque ce rendu un peu moins maîtrisé est à l’unisson avec les propos relatés : la jeunesse de Tomoe. Ce personnage secondaire d'importance – il s'agit de l'amour contrarié du héros – voit une partie de son lointain passé dévoilé pour le plus grand bonheur des lecteurs.
Outre ce petit retour en arrière, ce recueil est également intéressant à d'autres égards. En effet, les différents types narratifs caractéristiques de l'auteur y sont présents. Outre une anecdote classique de fantôme mâtinée d'enquête policière et une de voleurs, on trouve également un épisode sur fond de culture, genre ayant particulièrement la faveur de l'artiste. L'histoire qui clôt cet opus, Chanoyu (la cérémonie du thé en japonais), est à ce propos tout à fait remarquable. Le scénariste utilise ce moment privilégié de la culture nippone – les étapes du rituel sont détaillés méticuleusement – pour décrire la relation entretenue entre Usagi et Tomoe. Le résultat est extraordinaire, en vingt-quatre pages quasiment muettes et remplies d'émotion, Stan Sakai résume tous les sentiments et les déchirements partagés par les deux héros.
Après près de vingt-cinq ans, Stan Sakai continue d'animer son petit monde anthropomorphique avec l'enthousiasme du premier jour. Pour sa diversité et son accessibilité, ce tome 22 des aventures d'Usagi Yojimbo est, particulièrement pour le nouveau venu, un excellent moyen de faire connaissance avec cet univers passionnant.
October 5, 2021
This is a cumulative review of the 35 volumes of collected Usagi Yojimbo stories that have been published to date. They span a 37-year history, across the first seven volumes published by Fantagraphics, across the next 24 volumes published by Dark Horse, and finally across the most recent three volumes published by IDW, bringing us to Usagi Yojimbo v35: Homecoming, published in 2021. This review does not include the volumes Space Usagi, Usagi Yojimbo: Yokai, Usagi Yojimbo: Senso, Usagi Yojimbo/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Complete Collection, or Chibi Usagi: Attack of the Heebie Chibis.
In a land very much like Japan, in a time very much like the early days of the Tokugawa Shogunate, when legions of samurai suddenly found themselves out of work in a war-torn land trying to get back to normal, a masterless samurai - a ronin - named Usagi Yojimbo walks the path of a student-warrior. He goes wherever fate takes him, living by his honor, his swordsmanship and by the grace of the friends he makes along the way. On his endless adventures, Usagi confronts wicked bandits, cruel tyrants, sinister assassins, and dire supernatural fiends. He often encounters humble folk plying their trade in an often cruel and harsh world (and along the way, learns a bit about their work, like brewing sake or weaving tatami mats).
Along his way, he builds a vast cast of friends, allies and rivals, including the bounty hunger Gen, fellow samurai )and love interest) Tomoe, the ninja Chizu, the third Kitsune, the noble lord Noriyuki, the stalwart Inspector Ishida, and of course, Usagi’s own son (and chip off the old block), Jotaro. And just as well, he builds no small list of enemies, including the dire Lord Hikiji (the power-hungry lord who is the very reason why Usagi no longer has a master), the Neko and Komori ninja clans, the Koroshi league of assassins, and the demonic ronin Jei. Amid all this, Usagi strives to uphold the warrior ideals of bushido and find a sense of enlightenment on his journey.
The stories are often funny, exciting, smart, sharp, tight, and occasionally touched with tragedy. They offer an informed look at medieval Japan, and pay no small number of homages to all kinds of cultural references both ancient and modern, as a reflect of Sakai’s own journey to connect with his personal heritage and honor it with his stories. They are simultaneously suitable for adults and kids alike - despite all of the carnage, Sakai never descends into gruesome detail, and yet, the many scenes of battle never seem so sanitized that they lost their gravity.
The artwork is distinct and excellent. Sakai’s is a master of sharp lifework (as well as lettering), and since he writes, pencils, inks and letters every issue solo, there is a uniformity and consistency to Usagi Yojimbo that you just don’t find in many other comics or cartoons. Until the last few volumes, it is all B&W, but Sakai’s sense of depth as well as his supremely skilled panel composition, pulls you in so deeply that you forget if it’s in color or not. You are under Usagi’s spell from the first page, and along for the ride, however long it goes.
To get an idea of the length, breadth and depth of how beloved an impactful Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo series has been, look no further than the introductions to each of the collected volumes published to date. There you will find a dazzling array of some of the finest talents in modern cartooning, who have a seemingly endless variety of ways to say how much they love Usagi Yojimbo, how impactful it has been on their own careers, and how great Stan Sakai has been himself as a goodwill ambassador for both cartooning as well as of the Japanese culture he so masterfully serves throughout his stories.
For those who have not yet enjoyed these stories for the first time, a wonderful journey awaits you. Usagi Yojimbo was created during those days in the 80s when anthropomorphic martial arts characters were all the rage. And yet, Usagi Yojimbo stood apart almost immediately. He might have been a rabbit ronin in a world of talking, walking animals, but he never seemed to be drafting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or trying to comment on the martial-art zoo comic trend. From the beginning, Usagi Yojimbo, like its titular character, was determined to walk its own path, to be the best it could be, and to celebrate the things in life that are worth celebrating: devotion to one’s craft, honoring one’s family, upholding one’s obligations, serving one’s highest aspirations, accepting one’s limitations, and acknowledging one’s flaws.
The stories are largely episodic varying in length from just a few pages, to an entire collection. They often are self-contained, but just as often reference slowly building meta plots, or serve an entire, novel-length story on their own. Everything is delicately interconnected, and yet, without such a heavy continuity that one can not simply pick up any of these volumes and begin reading without skipping a beat. Such is this series, endlessly accessible and friendly to beginners, and endlessly rewarding to long-time fans for whom earned narrative developments deliver terrific dividends.
As with any series of this length, some moments in it won’t land as well with the reader as others. But there just are not that many lows with this - if you appreciate what Sakai is doing here, you’re likely to enjoy pretty much all of it. There are some volumes that really stand out, largely because they tell the biggest and most epic stories (v04: The Dragon Bellows Conspiracy, v12: Grasscutter, v15: Grasscutter II - Journey to Astuta Shrine, v17: Duel at Kitanoji, v19: Fathers and Sons, v28: Red Scorpion, v32: The Hidden, and v35:Homecoming all come to mind), but really, the entire catalog of worth enjoying on equal terms. It’s saying something indeed that the most recent volume of Usagi Yojimbo tells one of the most compelling and moving stories of the entire series. Some edges dull over time, but as a storyteller, Stan Sakai’s edge never does.
Usagi Yojimbo has been hailed as one of the greatest independent comics ever. And it is. But it is more than that. It is one of the greatest comics, period. Read every volume. You will be glad that you did.
In a land very much like Japan, in a time very much like the early days of the Tokugawa Shogunate, when legions of samurai suddenly found themselves out of work in a war-torn land trying to get back to normal, a masterless samurai - a ronin - named Usagi Yojimbo walks the path of a student-warrior. He goes wherever fate takes him, living by his honor, his swordsmanship and by the grace of the friends he makes along the way. On his endless adventures, Usagi confronts wicked bandits, cruel tyrants, sinister assassins, and dire supernatural fiends. He often encounters humble folk plying their trade in an often cruel and harsh world (and along the way, learns a bit about their work, like brewing sake or weaving tatami mats).
Along his way, he builds a vast cast of friends, allies and rivals, including the bounty hunger Gen, fellow samurai )and love interest) Tomoe, the ninja Chizu, the third Kitsune, the noble lord Noriyuki, the stalwart Inspector Ishida, and of course, Usagi’s own son (and chip off the old block), Jotaro. And just as well, he builds no small list of enemies, including the dire Lord Hikiji (the power-hungry lord who is the very reason why Usagi no longer has a master), the Neko and Komori ninja clans, the Koroshi league of assassins, and the demonic ronin Jei. Amid all this, Usagi strives to uphold the warrior ideals of bushido and find a sense of enlightenment on his journey.
The stories are often funny, exciting, smart, sharp, tight, and occasionally touched with tragedy. They offer an informed look at medieval Japan, and pay no small number of homages to all kinds of cultural references both ancient and modern, as a reflect of Sakai’s own journey to connect with his personal heritage and honor it with his stories. They are simultaneously suitable for adults and kids alike - despite all of the carnage, Sakai never descends into gruesome detail, and yet, the many scenes of battle never seem so sanitized that they lost their gravity.
The artwork is distinct and excellent. Sakai’s is a master of sharp lifework (as well as lettering), and since he writes, pencils, inks and letters every issue solo, there is a uniformity and consistency to Usagi Yojimbo that you just don’t find in many other comics or cartoons. Until the last few volumes, it is all B&W, but Sakai’s sense of depth as well as his supremely skilled panel composition, pulls you in so deeply that you forget if it’s in color or not. You are under Usagi’s spell from the first page, and along for the ride, however long it goes.
To get an idea of the length, breadth and depth of how beloved an impactful Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo series has been, look no further than the introductions to each of the collected volumes published to date. There you will find a dazzling array of some of the finest talents in modern cartooning, who have a seemingly endless variety of ways to say how much they love Usagi Yojimbo, how impactful it has been on their own careers, and how great Stan Sakai has been himself as a goodwill ambassador for both cartooning as well as of the Japanese culture he so masterfully serves throughout his stories.
For those who have not yet enjoyed these stories for the first time, a wonderful journey awaits you. Usagi Yojimbo was created during those days in the 80s when anthropomorphic martial arts characters were all the rage. And yet, Usagi Yojimbo stood apart almost immediately. He might have been a rabbit ronin in a world of talking, walking animals, but he never seemed to be drafting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or trying to comment on the martial-art zoo comic trend. From the beginning, Usagi Yojimbo, like its titular character, was determined to walk its own path, to be the best it could be, and to celebrate the things in life that are worth celebrating: devotion to one’s craft, honoring one’s family, upholding one’s obligations, serving one’s highest aspirations, accepting one’s limitations, and acknowledging one’s flaws.
The stories are largely episodic varying in length from just a few pages, to an entire collection. They often are self-contained, but just as often reference slowly building meta plots, or serve an entire, novel-length story on their own. Everything is delicately interconnected, and yet, without such a heavy continuity that one can not simply pick up any of these volumes and begin reading without skipping a beat. Such is this series, endlessly accessible and friendly to beginners, and endlessly rewarding to long-time fans for whom earned narrative developments deliver terrific dividends.
As with any series of this length, some moments in it won’t land as well with the reader as others. But there just are not that many lows with this - if you appreciate what Sakai is doing here, you’re likely to enjoy pretty much all of it. There are some volumes that really stand out, largely because they tell the biggest and most epic stories (v04: The Dragon Bellows Conspiracy, v12: Grasscutter, v15: Grasscutter II - Journey to Astuta Shrine, v17: Duel at Kitanoji, v19: Fathers and Sons, v28: Red Scorpion, v32: The Hidden, and v35:Homecoming all come to mind), but really, the entire catalog of worth enjoying on equal terms. It’s saying something indeed that the most recent volume of Usagi Yojimbo tells one of the most compelling and moving stories of the entire series. Some edges dull over time, but as a storyteller, Stan Sakai’s edge never does.
Usagi Yojimbo has been hailed as one of the greatest independent comics ever. And it is. But it is more than that. It is one of the greatest comics, period. Read every volume. You will be glad that you did.
November 30, 2020
Continuing to love this series and every new story uncovered from Stan Sakai. The following is the introduction attesting to the author's 'great storytelling and flawless cartooning skills' which put into words so much of what I want to say:
"Stan's reverence for research is somewhat legendary. While the stories he tells unfold with perfect clarity and even simplicity, an unseen wealth of background and historical knowledge gives every tale a solid grounding and structure that tie the overarching story together." --Heidi MacDonald
You don't need to read the series in order of volumes to appreciate it so pick up whatever you can of Usagi Yojimbo and start reading the lovable and meaningful epic right away.
"Stan's reverence for research is somewhat legendary. While the stories he tells unfold with perfect clarity and even simplicity, an unseen wealth of background and historical knowledge gives every tale a solid grounding and structure that tie the overarching story together." --Heidi MacDonald
You don't need to read the series in order of volumes to appreciate it so pick up whatever you can of Usagi Yojimbo and start reading the lovable and meaningful epic right away.
October 9, 2025
Another anthology of the ronin rabbit's adventures!
Tomoe's Story--Tomoe's backstory is given, how she became a master sword-wielder and a trusted retainer in the Geishu clan. She trained under her father, the head of Geishu's best swordmaster school. She regularly beat her brother but can't inherit the school because it is feudal Japan. She has a different path that eventually leads to her current life. It's a nice little drama and fills in a narrative hole in a satisfying way.
The Doors--An artist visits Lord Noriyuki, head of the Geishu clan, offering him a gift of beautifully painted doors. The image is a historical one of some lieutenants fighting a giant spider who poisoned their leader. Noriyuki is so delighted he has them installed in his personal quarters. That night, he has a nightmare and wakes up with marks on his neck. Things go downhill from there. While the revelation of what is going on is not a surprise, it is well done and leaves room for a sequel.
Fox Fire--Usagi saves a lone fox from hunters when it hides in his tunic. He also gets scratched up and feels very awkward, eliciting plenty of laughter from Tomoe. They wind up in a small house during a rainstorm. The sole occupant is a lady who seems sinister. She has also enthralled Usagi which makes Tomoe nervous. The situation spins out from there in an interesting way. I liked the story a lot, a classic Usagi adventure.
The Ghost in the Well--Usagi and Tomoe are back at Geishu palace where some trade negotiations are happening. Thing get rough when one of the diplomat's bodyguards is killed. Usagi thinks he saw the murder but loses the trail at a boarded-up well in the garden. Legend has it a woman killed herself there because one of the lord's retainers wooed her but refused to marry her, hoping to marry up to a higher position. The mystery continues as Tomoe and Usagi work with the diplomat's head of security. Plenty of secrets are revealed as the situation is resolved. This is another fun story.
The Thief and the Lotus Scroll--Usagi and Tomoe are enjoying a walk in town when he admits he is going to leave the next day. They are interrupted by officials searching the streets for a thief who stole a scroll from the local temple. Usagi and Tomoe are innocent (naturally). They wander into a minstrel telling the tale of Tomoe defeating a monster and saving the Geishu clan leader. The minstrel is Kitsune, an old friend of Usagi's who is a thief by night. She swears she's innocent of the crime and starts flirting with Usagi, mostly to annoy Tomoe (which works). They eventually leave Kitsune who has been hiding her protege Kiyoko, who is the thief. The usual interesting developments happen, leading to a satisfying ending.
Chanoyu--Tomoe invites Usagi to a formal tea ceremony before his departure. The story faithfully presents a tea ceremony and ends with their separation as Usagi goes back on the road. The narrative is beautifully crafted and provides a nice ending to the book.
Recommended, highly for Usagi fans.
Tomoe's Story--Tomoe's backstory is given, how she became a master sword-wielder and a trusted retainer in the Geishu clan. She trained under her father, the head of Geishu's best swordmaster school. She regularly beat her brother but can't inherit the school because it is feudal Japan. She has a different path that eventually leads to her current life. It's a nice little drama and fills in a narrative hole in a satisfying way.
The Doors--An artist visits Lord Noriyuki, head of the Geishu clan, offering him a gift of beautifully painted doors. The image is a historical one of some lieutenants fighting a giant spider who poisoned their leader. Noriyuki is so delighted he has them installed in his personal quarters. That night, he has a nightmare and wakes up with marks on his neck. Things go downhill from there. While the revelation of what is going on is not a surprise, it is well done and leaves room for a sequel.
Fox Fire--Usagi saves a lone fox from hunters when it hides in his tunic. He also gets scratched up and feels very awkward, eliciting plenty of laughter from Tomoe. They wind up in a small house during a rainstorm. The sole occupant is a lady who seems sinister. She has also enthralled Usagi which makes Tomoe nervous. The situation spins out from there in an interesting way. I liked the story a lot, a classic Usagi adventure.
The Ghost in the Well--Usagi and Tomoe are back at Geishu palace where some trade negotiations are happening. Thing get rough when one of the diplomat's bodyguards is killed. Usagi thinks he saw the murder but loses the trail at a boarded-up well in the garden. Legend has it a woman killed herself there because one of the lord's retainers wooed her but refused to marry her, hoping to marry up to a higher position. The mystery continues as Tomoe and Usagi work with the diplomat's head of security. Plenty of secrets are revealed as the situation is resolved. This is another fun story.
The Thief and the Lotus Scroll--Usagi and Tomoe are enjoying a walk in town when he admits he is going to leave the next day. They are interrupted by officials searching the streets for a thief who stole a scroll from the local temple. Usagi and Tomoe are innocent (naturally). They wander into a minstrel telling the tale of Tomoe defeating a monster and saving the Geishu clan leader. The minstrel is Kitsune, an old friend of Usagi's who is a thief by night. She swears she's innocent of the crime and starts flirting with Usagi, mostly to annoy Tomoe (which works). They eventually leave Kitsune who has been hiding her protege Kiyoko, who is the thief. The usual interesting developments happen, leading to a satisfying ending.
Chanoyu--Tomoe invites Usagi to a formal tea ceremony before his departure. The story faithfully presents a tea ceremony and ends with their separation as Usagi goes back on the road. The narrative is beautifully crafted and provides a nice ending to the book.
Recommended, highly for Usagi fans.
November 6, 2023
Continuing Usagi's adventures from the "The Mother of Mountains" arc, we follow Usagi's continued time in the Geishu Province. Collecting issues #90-93 of the third volume of the Usagi Yojimbo ongoing series and the three Fantagraphics "Color Specials", the stories in this volume all primarily focus on Tomoe Ame and the mutually unrequited love between her and Miyamoto Usagi. The various stories follow the ongoing thread of Lord Horikawa's plot to remove Tomoe from Lord Noriyuki's court along with other stories demonstrating Tomoe's continued loyalty and courage in upholding Noriyuki's rule over the land. Coupled to these tales is her continued friendship to Usagi which teeters on romantic interest, but both are too involved in their own vision of duty and honor to entertain the premise. This presents the underlying tragedy behind the character of Tomoe - the dutiful retainer who will sacrifice her own happiness to ensure that Noriyuki's honor is upheld to her last. Sakai continues to do a stellar job exploring the secondary characters of the series, and both the previous volume and this one shows that he is not afraid to put Usagi in the backseat for a prolonged stretch.
February 13, 2021
I love this series so much and how the world continues to grow and expand but we still see some familiar characters reappear. So we get stories focused on Tomoe - the guard for a panda ruler - but we get revisited by the Evil Ink Well, we get a visit from Katsume the charming thief - we get a hint of Lord Ito wanting to get Tomoe for his wife - we get some ninja assassins hiding in a well. All amazing stories. We also get a fox bewitching Usagi (that was a little too much) and a boring tea ceremony between Usagi and Tomoe (I know it was supposed to be sweet but it fell flat for me).
Overall, ever with the two weaker stories, this was a great collection. Stan never fails to amaze me with his inventiveness.
Overall, ever with the two weaker stories, this was a great collection. Stan never fails to amaze me with his inventiveness.
January 14, 2022
This collection features a number of shorter stories than run the gamut from humorous to scary, to documentary. The evil ink makes a reappearance and gets a more satisfying ending. Tomoe and Usagi perform a traditional tea ceremony. There's both a kitsune and Kitsune, but in two different stories. The collection is very enjoyable, providing some good action and light moments (the moments with Kitsune, Usagi and Tomoe are a highlight). It's not one of the world-shifting volumes, but Sakai treats it with the height of respect he always has - Chanoyu in particular is near reverential in its tone and content.
This is a strong volume overall, another in a near-continuous series of great reads.
This is a strong volume overall, another in a near-continuous series of great reads.
July 16, 2017
I thought that this would be a first Usagi Yojimbo book that I would rate with 4 stars until I've read story called Chanoyu (Tea Ceremony). This, almost wordless/speechless, story sums up a complex relationship between Usagi and Tomoe, their respect, admiration and "love" for each other. Surely one of my all time favourite Usagi story. 5 STARZ
September 2, 2019
This is a great collection of stories featuring Tomoe. There's a lot here: humor, adventure, mystery, politics, ghosts, and a tea ceremony. The tea ceremony story, in particular, is really well done.
February 8, 2021
Always happy to hang out with Tomoe
October 18, 2022
One of the Best ones. Only gripe is WHY ALL THE WOMEN LOVE USAGI SO MUCH OMG but apart from that, great writing, great art. Love the tea ritual episode.
February 4, 2024
Giving special mention to this one because while the stories in here are good, "Chanoyu" really takes the cake as the best one of the bunch in this volume.
February 21, 2025
Another great entry into this series, the standout here being the dynamic between usage and tomoe
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July 25, 2011Stan Sakain ""Usagi Yojimbon"" taso on pysynyt ilahduttavan hyvätasoisena jo parinkymmenen kokoelman verran, eikä pahempia notkahduksia ole päässyt tapahtumaan. Sarjakuvan uusin osa, "Tomoe's Story" (Dark Horse, 2008), ei muodosta tässä suhteessa poikkeusta, vaan samuraijäniksemme seikkailut jaksavat viihdyttää edelleen.
Sarjakuva-albumin keskiöön nousee tällä kertaa naissamurai Tomoe, johon on ehditty tutustua jo sarjan aikaisemmissa osissa. Hänen tarinaansa taustoitetaan hieman, ja yhdessä Usagin kanssa koetaan uusia seikkailuja neko-ninjojen, kahden klaanin välisten kauppaneuvottelujen, viekkaiden kettuhenkien ja henkiin heräävien maalausten parissa.
Sankarimme törmäävät myös muutamiin vanhoihin tuttuihin, joista riemastuttavimpia lienee lain ja järjestyksen rajamailla liikkuva katutaiteilija-ammattivaras Kitsune. Girl's got to do what she can to get by!
Sakai on aikaisemmin käyttänyt tarinoittensa elementteinä niin populaarikulttuuria, japanilaisia myyttejä kuin aitoja historiallisia tapahtumia, ja tällä kertaa mukaan on mahdutettu muun muassa 1700-luvulle ajoitettavia kummitustarinoita ("The Ghost in the Well", jonka nimestä voinee halutessaan löytää viittauksen erääseen toiseen sarjaan) kuin yksityiskohtaisesti kuvattu episodi japanilaisen teeseremonian kulusta.
Sarjakuva-albumin keskiöön nousee tällä kertaa naissamurai Tomoe, johon on ehditty tutustua jo sarjan aikaisemmissa osissa. Hänen tarinaansa taustoitetaan hieman, ja yhdessä Usagin kanssa koetaan uusia seikkailuja neko-ninjojen, kahden klaanin välisten kauppaneuvottelujen, viekkaiden kettuhenkien ja henkiin heräävien maalausten parissa.
Sankarimme törmäävät myös muutamiin vanhoihin tuttuihin, joista riemastuttavimpia lienee lain ja järjestyksen rajamailla liikkuva katutaiteilija-ammattivaras Kitsune. Girl's got to do what she can to get by!
Sakai on aikaisemmin käyttänyt tarinoittensa elementteinä niin populaarikulttuuria, japanilaisia myyttejä kuin aitoja historiallisia tapahtumia, ja tällä kertaa mukaan on mahdutettu muun muassa 1700-luvulle ajoitettavia kummitustarinoita ("The Ghost in the Well", jonka nimestä voinee halutessaan löytää viittauksen erääseen toiseen sarjaan) kuin yksityiskohtaisesti kuvattu episodi japanilaisen teeseremonian kulusta.
April 19, 2010
Tomeo’s brother, Tajima, will follow their father as swordsman instructor. Tomeo has more talked but have traditional roles of a woman to take follow. She is to be in the services to Lord Mataichi. After introducers break in, Tomeo fights and saves the lives of Lady and her child. She now has the job to be protector of the heir.
In “The Doors” an artist presents Lord Noriyuki with three decorated doors. That night the Lord has nightmares and falls into a coma. The painting comes alive and the Earth-Spider is treacherous.
Tomeo sees that Usagi is being tricked by a fox called Kuzunoha in the tale “Fox Fire.”
In “The Doors” an artist presents Lord Noriyuki with three decorated doors. That night the Lord has nightmares and falls into a coma. The painting comes alive and the Earth-Spider is treacherous.
Tomeo sees that Usagi is being tricked by a fox called Kuzunoha in the tale “Fox Fire.”
July 11, 2016
My first foray into the fantastical cartoons about Miyamoto Usagi, the rabbit samurai, was a lot of fun. Author Stan Sakai blends real Japanese history with a universe of anthropomorphic animals, and he throws in mythic figures and magic from Japanese folklore for good measure. This book comes in the middle of the series, from what I understand, so it was hard for me to assess the larger trends in Usagi's characterization or to understand evil Lord Hikiji's schemes. Still, "Tomoe's Story" is a fun adventure and shows Sakai's talent well. I'd be interested to read more of the Usagi comics in the future.
September 30, 2008
This is yet another wonderful collection of Usagi Yojimbo. It starts with "Tomoe's Story", which was redrawn for this volume, and ends with "Chanoyu", a tea ceremony between Usagi and Tomoe. Excellent, though not necessarily the best place to start reading Usagi's adventures. (I'd recommend the tenth volume,
Brink of Life and Death
, which summarizes everything you need to know in the first few pages. I know it's a good starting place, because it's where I started. ;-)
(Finished about 2008-09-28 23:00EDT.)
(Finished about 2008-09-28 23:00EDT.)
April 24, 2009
You gotta love a bunny samurai. This is an engaging graphic novel where the main characters are anthropomorphic animals, set in samurai-era Japan. This volume in the series revolves around Tomoe, a female samurai who is the friend of Usagi. There are several short stories, ranging from mythology and magic come to life, to a surprisingly interesting tea ceremony. The illustrations are all black and white but done with wonderful expression. Recommended for middle school and up, particularly for those who like Japanese-style comics.
May 23, 2009
A series of stories with the rabbit ronin Usagi teaming up with the woman samurai Tomoe. We get a bit more about Tomoe's backstory, but as always, the Usagi stories a worthwhile in and of themselves, apart from the larger story. The final story, as Usagi prepares to leave, is actually an almost wordless historical reenactment of a Japanese tea serving ceremony, which manages to bring us into the almost liturgical way the characters interact, and turns what might be a history lesson into sad, poignant moment to end the book on.
March 2, 2013
Un chouette recueil de petites histoires, mettant en scène Usagi chez les Geishu. Du coup, forcément, on y apprend des choses sur ceux-ci.
En premier lieu comment Tomoé a pu échapper à son destin de dame de compagnie pour devenir la protectrice du seigneur Noriyuki.
On y découvre également que tous les Geishu ne sont pas si sympathiques que ça.
Et enfin que sous l'amitié de Tomoé et Usagi peut se cacher des sentiments encore plus profonds. Une amitié exposée d'ailleurs d'une façon magnifique dans cette cérémonie du thé (que je trouve toujours aussi ridicule - en soi).
En premier lieu comment Tomoé a pu échapper à son destin de dame de compagnie pour devenir la protectrice du seigneur Noriyuki.
On y découvre également que tous les Geishu ne sont pas si sympathiques que ça.
Et enfin que sous l'amitié de Tomoé et Usagi peut se cacher des sentiments encore plus profonds. Une amitié exposée d'ailleurs d'une façon magnifique dans cette cérémonie du thé (que je trouve toujours aussi ridicule - en soi).
July 31, 2008
This volume contains one of my all-time favorite single issues, #93. "Chanoyu" stops the action and shows a tea ceremony performed by Tomoe and Usagi in intricate detail. It's a truly special comic, showing both Stan Sakai's attention to history and his fantastic storytelling skills.
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