Usagi Yojimbo #95: "Shizukiri" (2006)
Nov. 6th, 2017 01:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
riddler13 posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
scans_dailyIt's been some time since I've posted an Usagi multi-part story here. I've decided to focus on a six-part arc that fans usually call "Bridge of Tears", after the main issue, because it does not have an official name. It has a romance/life-on-the-run feel, and introduces two characters: Shizukiri the assassin and Mayumi the love interest.
Before that, however, there is Shizukiri's story, which serves as a sort of prelude to the arc proper.
Shizukiri appeared in another arc before, issues #46-47 ("Showdown"), which is a thinly-veiled adaptation of "Yojimbo" starring Usagi and Gen.
Whoa. I'd definitely have paid out of my pocket as well.
Back to the story at hand: a crippled begging father and his son sit by the road late at night. Meanwhile, a samurai shows a friend a sword he bought for his son, and says he tested the sword on straw. His friend retorts that the only true test of a weapon is human flesh. The samurai agrees, and kills the beggar's son without a second thought.
The local Union of the Beggars' pool their resources to make sure the crime does not go unavenged.
Shizukiri celebrates his big job drinking and gambling, and is scolded by his wife, the prostitute Haruye. She even makes a reference to his run-in with Usagi and Gen.
"We'll leave after this job and start a new life elsewhere".
"It's no use. You can't escape karma".
Shizukiri leaves the house to do his job.
Mad with grief, Akimitsu's father goes after Shizukiri, who offers him a chance to step away and stay alive. He obviously does not listen, so the assassin chases him.
So, he decides to take on a new assignment put out by the Koroshi, the League of Assassins (a powerful group that Usagi has unwittingly opposed in several issues).
This story is collected in Usagi Yojimbo Volume 23: Bridge Of Tears and The Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 6.
Next, the beginning of the "Bridge of Tears" story line.
Before that, however, there is Shizukiri's story, which serves as a sort of prelude to the arc proper.
Shizukiri appeared in another arc before, issues #46-47 ("Showdown"), which is a thinly-veiled adaptation of "Yojimbo" starring Usagi and Gen.
Whoa. I'd definitely have paid out of my pocket as well.
Back to the story at hand: a crippled begging father and his son sit by the road late at night. Meanwhile, a samurai shows a friend a sword he bought for his son, and says he tested the sword on straw. His friend retorts that the only true test of a weapon is human flesh. The samurai agrees, and kills the beggar's son without a second thought.
The local Union of the Beggars' pool their resources to make sure the crime does not go unavenged.
Shizukiri celebrates his big job drinking and gambling, and is scolded by his wife, the prostitute Haruye. She even makes a reference to his run-in with Usagi and Gen.
"We'll leave after this job and start a new life elsewhere".
"It's no use. You can't escape karma".
Shizukiri leaves the house to do his job.
Mad with grief, Akimitsu's father goes after Shizukiri, who offers him a chance to step away and stay alive. He obviously does not listen, so the assassin chases him.
So, he decides to take on a new assignment put out by the Koroshi, the League of Assassins (a powerful group that Usagi has unwittingly opposed in several issues).
This story is collected in Usagi Yojimbo Volume 23: Bridge Of Tears and The Usagi Yojimbo Saga Book 6.
Next, the beginning of the "Bridge of Tears" story line.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-06 09:18 pm (UTC)This was a well done sad story.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-06 11:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-11-07 02:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-11-06 09:33 pm (UTC)