Usagi Yojimbo #141 – Review
The latest issue of Usagi Yojimbo (#141) marks the 200th appearance of the beloved rabbit samurai in his own title by renowned writer and artist Stan Sakai. This special occasion marks a commemorative, stand-alone story geared towards both old and new readers.
At the outset, we find a figure working tirelessly in heavy rain on an earthen landscape. He holds a tiny, stone bunny-shaped jizo in his hands and carefully sets it down in ritual performance. He claps his hands to finish the ritual and beholds our hero, Usagi Yojimbo, wandering in the downpour. Usagi sees the man and approaches him for help to the nearest town. Startled, the man runs away, leaving a bedazzled Usagi wondering why.
Those familiar with Japanese cinema, especially with the old samurai movies of Akira Kurosawa, will see some parallels in the plotline of this issue and the movie of the same name, Yojimbo. As a ronin following a strict code of discipline, honor and morality, Usagi has his work literally cut out for him as he encounters a town terrorized by remnants of a bandit gang. It is a classic tale of good versus evil with the hero pushed to his physical limits and somehow finding a way to overcome. With an array of personalities both endearing and despicable, the story has an inventive twist at its close neatly tying both characters and events together to allow for a new arc to begin.
As the title of this issue is aptly named “Two Hundred Jizo”, the statues, usually fashioned out of clay or mud, play a silent but vital role as events unfold. For those interested in a brief cultural lesson, Jizo are highly respected spirits in Japan and are often considered to be the guardians of travelers, children and even firefighters. As they are depicted in the comic, the Japanese countryside is decorated with numerous jizo statues which can be found adorned with scarfs and hats and coins in their armfolds.
For those new to the Usagi Yojimbo icon, this issue is a great way to get acquainted with the style and feel for the comic. Literally translated, Usagi Yojimbo means “Rabbit Bodyguard” and is a historic account of feudal japan told in the manner of a fable. Characters are portrayed as animals with human aspects and mannerisms with Usagi, obviously, depicted as a rabbit. Other characters in the Usagi universe appear as anthropomorphized dogs, cats, bats and even goats. Sakai weaves together many different influences into the art, the story and the texture of the comic. Usagi, whose real comic name is Miyamoto Usagi, is himself based on legendary Japanese swordsmen Miyamoto Musashi, known for his Nito-Ryu (“Two Swords”) fighting style and the famous “Book of Five Rings”.
Although new to many, believe it or not, Usagi Yojimbo has been around for over 25 years! It began in 1984 and has been going strong ever since. It has gone through many ups and downs but clearly has lasted the test of time. And once you read the anniversary issue #141, you’ll see why!
