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Usagi Yojimbo [兎用心棒] #21
Usagi Yojimbo, Vol. 21: The Mother of Mountains
The discovery of gold ignites a struggle of striking proportions as a power-mad tyrant's lust for wealth threatens to destroy not only Usagi Yojimbo and his companion Tomoe but an entire innocent village! When plague strikes a border town in the mountains of the Geishu Province, Lord Noriyuki sends his loyal bodyguard Tomoe to investigate. Once there, she and her retinue discover a truth far more terrible. Meanwhile, back at the castle, the sycophantic Lord Horikawa sets in motion a plot to eliminate Tomoe his own way. Only the rabbit ronin Usagi could extricate a friend from a predicament this perilous-if he hadn't ended up landing in the same one himself! Usagi and Tomoe must use every ounce of skill and wit if they are to survive "The Mother of Mountains," an adventure in the spirit of the award-winning epic "Grasscutter" by internationally celebrated storyteller Stan Sakai!
184 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2007
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154 people want to read
About the author
Stan Sakai
925 books374 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 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 13, 2023
Usagi's friend, Tomoe, encounters a family connection that threatens to kill her, Usagi, and an entire village in strong character focused story. Also, Stan Sakai's art never fails to charm, and his attention to Japanese culture makes this a worthwhile read.
February 22, 2021
(4,2 z 5 za původně krátký nápad, který se Stanovi rozvinul na celou knihu)
Konečně jsem překročil hranici toho, kde jsem kdysi před sedmi lety skončil a přečetl si příběh, který jsem předtím nečetl - ne že by to byl velký rozdíl, po sedmi letech mi tak přišly i mnohé z příběhů, co jsem již četl. Další "zážitek" je, že tato kniha je výhradně jeden příběh, což je tu už pěknou řádku knih nebylo.
Matka hor je moc fajn příběh. Kdo si stýskal po Tomoe, tak tady jí má jako jednu z hlavních postav (vedle Usagiho a její příbuzné Noriko). K tomu navíc je to mix akce, killcount tady opět slušně naskakuje, drsného příběhu a zákulisních her o moc. Ač jsem si chtěl čtení původně rozdělit, tato kniha k tomu moc nakloněna není a tak jsem to vzal na jeden zátah (tzn. jeden večer s pár přestávkami na čaj). Já jsem byl osobně rád, že dostal trochu prostor i syn generála Ikedy, Motokazu.
Konečně jsem překročil hranici toho, kde jsem kdysi před sedmi lety skončil a přečetl si příběh, který jsem předtím nečetl - ne že by to byl velký rozdíl, po sedmi letech mi tak přišly i mnohé z příběhů, co jsem již četl. Další "zážitek" je, že tato kniha je výhradně jeden příběh, což je tu už pěknou řádku knih nebylo.
Matka hor je moc fajn příběh. Kdo si stýskal po Tomoe, tak tady jí má jako jednu z hlavních postav (vedle Usagiho a její příbuzné Noriko). K tomu navíc je to mix akce, killcount tady opět slušně naskakuje, drsného příběhu a zákulisních her o moc. Ač jsem si chtěl čtení původně rozdělit, tato kniha k tomu moc nakloněna není a tak jsem to vzal na jeden zátah (tzn. jeden večer s pár přestávkami na čaj). Já jsem byl osobně rád, že dostal trochu prostor i syn generála Ikedy, Motokazu.
May 11, 2021
An outstanding volume! While broken up into multiple chapters, it's one long story. Lots of action, suspense and some character development, plus some foreshadowing on future stories.
April 26, 2023
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An entire volume chronicling the events of a single story split up into multiple chapters sounds perfect for me. Usually, most issues are relatively standalone. That's not the case here. The Mother of Mountains follows Usagi and Lady Tomoe as they investigate a remote village in the mountains of the Geishu Province that is reported to be suffering from the plague. What the duo discovers, however, is much more nefarious.
The story seemed to drag a little bit in the middle, but the artwork and characterizations and fight sequences still remain top-notch.
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An entire volume chronicling the events of a single story split up into multiple chapters sounds perfect for me. Usually, most issues are relatively standalone. That's not the case here. The Mother of Mountains follows Usagi and Lady Tomoe as they investigate a remote village in the mountains of the Geishu Province that is reported to be suffering from the plague. What the duo discovers, however, is much more nefarious.
The story seemed to drag a little bit in the middle, but the artwork and characterizations and fight sequences still remain top-notch.
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.
April 25, 2013
Stan Sakai is an amazing cartoonist. He brings amazingly historically accurate detail to his comics without departing from his highly stylized cartoon style. The series is set in Japan during the Shogun period and features samurai, ronin, ninjas, and all the scheming and politics of the times. It is what comics aficionados refer to as a "funny animals" book because they characters are animal headed humans, including lions, pandas, rats, rhinoceros,and even bats. The main character is a wandering masterless samurai who just happens to be a rabbit. Don't make the mistake of assuming this just for kids because of the animal heads, there is nothing inappropriate for kids but it is for all ages.
January 14, 2022
This is a strong single story focusing on Tomoe (and Usagi) as they investigate a corner of the kingdom supposedly suffering a plague, but find a much more nefarious plot underway.
The story provides more detail about Tomoe and brings back another character in a major role. Usagi's role is slightly stepped back from the center - this is really Tomoe's story.
There are quite a few action sequences, although the art feels a little off for some reason.
There are also a couple more "fortuitous timing" moments here than normal here, but the story still works well, and has some long term ramifications in the overall story.
The story provides more detail about Tomoe and brings back another character in a major role. Usagi's role is slightly stepped back from the center - this is really Tomoe's story.
There are quite a few action sequences, although the art feels a little off for some reason.
There are also a couple more "fortuitous timing" moments here than normal here, but the story still works well, and has some long term ramifications in the overall story.
February 13, 2021
It's rare an entire volume of Usagi is dedicated to one story but this one is. Tomoe and her sister clash with Usagi playing his role. I won't go into the story but it is a nail biter and a page turner and a wonderful adventure. I love the character of Tomoe and it is great to see her fleshed out even more in this story. A must read for Usagi fans.
February 3, 2021
BATTLE COUPLE
October 31, 2023
"The Mother of Mountains" is one of the rare volumes of Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo where the entire volume is simply just one lengthy arc. Told in seven parts across Usagi Yojimbo v3 #83-89, "The Treasure of the Mother of Mountains" follows Tomoe Ame as she investigates a plague outbreak in a distant corner of Lord Noriyuki's lands. During her journey, Tomoe uncovers a conspiracy hatched by the rival Lord Sanada who has uncovered a gold mine on Noriyuki's lands. Sanada dispatches his lieutenant, Noriko (known infamously as the Blood Princess, who faked news about a plague to keep the Geishu samurai far away and enslaves the local villagers to work in the mine. As Tomoe and Usagi deal with Noriko's ruthless mining operation, Tomoe must come to terms with her own personal history with Noriko.
Highly plot driven and with a well-laid out conspiracy, "The Mother of Mountains" is a riveting read from start to finish. Usagi is a bit more in the backseat in this arc, but it's nice to get development on characters like Tomoe and Motokazu (the son of the late General Ikeda).
Highly plot driven and with a well-laid out conspiracy, "The Mother of Mountains" is a riveting read from start to finish. Usagi is a bit more in the backseat in this arc, but it's nice to get development on characters like Tomoe and Motokazu (the son of the late General Ikeda).
September 3, 2025
This volume contains one extended story, superficially about a secret gold mine discovered on the border of two provinces. The first the Geishu clan hears anything, they are told a plague has broken out in the remote village. Lord Noriyuki dispatches his trusted advisor Tomoe to investigate; Usagi winds up in the story through the usual circumstances. They discover that Tomoe's cousin Noriko (from the other province) has a group of thugs who are forcing the local villagers to dig. A peasant found a gromwell bush (which only grows over gold mines) but the mining has not revealed any gold yet. Noriko is determined to find fabulous wealth. Tomoe and Noriko get a lot of back story and character development as the drama goes on, the real heart of the narrative.
The story has some interesting twists and turns as it gets to its finale. This is another enjoyable adventure with the ronin rabbit--well paced and interesting.
Recommended, highly for Usagi fans.
The story has some interesting twists and turns as it gets to its finale. This is another enjoyable adventure with the ronin rabbit--well paced and interesting.
Recommended, highly for Usagi fans.
October 8, 2022
Velmi solidní větší "dobrodružství" se skvělým zasazením a zápletkou, kde Usagi skoro až překáží:) celkově stále velmi solidní čtení.
February 4, 2024
Another good longer story arc. Noriko evil as hell.
February 15, 2025
I really liked the story in this one, as we got Tomoes backstory fleshed out a bit with a great new villain and character development.
March 26, 2018
Usagi and Tomoe are captured and pressed into slavery, mining hidden gold on the borders of the Geishu clan province. One of Stan's book-length epics, it's a pretty great one. The tension between Tomoe and the leader of the slavers - her own cousin Noriko - is played perfectly, though the shocking reveal of their true relationship was a bit too soap opera.
The more humorous antagonism between Usagi and "One-Eye" (so dubbed after Usagi poked the eye out with his fingers!) is a nice contrast, snarkier, more bad-ass.
The cartooning is excellent, as always, and I love the development of Motokazu Ikeda (General Ikeda's son, for you long-time Usagi readers).
Great, as always.
The more humorous antagonism between Usagi and "One-Eye" (so dubbed after Usagi poked the eye out with his fingers!) is a nice contrast, snarkier, more bad-ass.
The cartooning is excellent, as always, and I love the development of Motokazu Ikeda (General Ikeda's son, for you long-time Usagi readers).
Great, as always.
June 20, 2014
I always love the stories that are based out of really interesting notes and research that Stan Sakai does. The notes on the gromwell bush were particularly fascinating- and it made for a great story.
It was also great to get to read more about Tomoe Ame and see more of her background and her life. I look forward to the next volume.
It was also great to get to read more about Tomoe Ame and see more of her background and her life. I look forward to the next volume.
March 2, 2013
Excellente histoire !
Non pas qu'elle soit particulièrement originale, mais elle expose certains secrets que Tomoé ignorait d'une façon particulièrement spectaculaire.
J'imagine qu'elle me frappe également parce que c'est le premier récit original d'Usagi que je lis depuis un bon moment ...
Non pas qu'elle soit particulièrement originale, mais elle expose certains secrets que Tomoé ignorait d'une façon particulièrement spectaculaire.
J'imagine qu'elle me frappe également parce que c'est le premier récit original d'Usagi que je lis depuis un bon moment ...
August 16, 2008
genre: samari fantasy comic book
I love the series, and as always this book was good. It was not one of my favorites, though. I got the feeling there was a lot of set-up for the next story-arc.
I love the series, and as always this book was good. It was not one of my favorites, though. I got the feeling there was a lot of set-up for the next story-arc.
June 8, 2012
Reading Usagi Yojimbo is always a pleasure.
September 12, 2021
Retroactive Review (12 Sep 2021): Please see my review of the series
here
under the first volume.
January 12, 2015
The intrigue was compelling; the only negative is that Sakai is rarely brave enough to kill off his characters.
March 1, 2017
It's a really fun change of pace to read a volume that's all one story as opposed to the usual collection of shorter tales. It helps that it's such a good story, too.
September 29, 2009
Usagi is like pizza. Even when it's just all right, it's still really good.
September 3, 2012
Another compelling Usagi tale.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews