Book Review: Usagi Yojimbo Book 10 by Stan Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo Book 10: The Brink of Life and Death by Stan Sakai

More stories of the anthropomorphic wandering warrior, Usagi Yojimbo, through feudal Japan!

Origin Tale--This is a very brief overview of Usagi's origin as a ronin (wandering, lordless samurai), reviewing his main allies and enemies. It reads like a "Previously on..." segment that TV shows use to update viewers on important bits from recent episodes. 

Kaiso--Usagi's wanderings bring him to a seaside town where he runs into a local farmer...a farmer of kaiso (seaweed)!The farmer has had trouble with a neighbor to the north. He thinks the neighbor has been poaching seaweed late at night. Usagi learns a bit about the process of making nori (the seaweed sheets used for sushi) and helps resolve the dispute with the neighbor. The story is nicely plotted and tells enough about the seaweed business to be interesting.

A Meeting of Strangers--Usagi is having a meal in a tavern when another ronin comes in. She orders a drink but can't pay for it. She puts on a tough act; Usagi gives the coin needed to pay for her drink. Once she leaves, she's attacked by mercenaries who want a bounty on her. She has no trouble dealing with them. Usagi leaves separately and becomes the target of other assassins. In the way of the samurai, she repays her debt to Usagi. The story is simple and makes a nice introduction for Inazuma. Maybe she'll show up again later?

Black Soul--In a very creepy story, three thugs show up at a farmer's house demanding food and valuables. The farmer is a grandfather with his only granddaughter. The thugs get violent, drawing the evil Jei, who slaughters them and burns the house. The granddaughter, with nothing left (her parents died long ago), follows after Jei, probably the creepiest part of the story. The story goes quickly and seems like a set-up for future adventures. No Usagi in the story, though.

Noodles--Usagi runs into an old friend, Kitsune. She's a street entertainer with a penchant for petty theft because "a girl has to do what she can to get by." Her latest scheme involves a partner--the mute soba seller she calls "Noodles." She robs a house then hides in his portable soba stand. The only problem is the local town has a much larger crime wave going on. The local cop is a bit corrupt and needs to make an arrest or lose his job. He decides to pin the blame on Noodles, with tragic consequences. This is a fairly mature and intense story that is highly satisfying.

The Wrath of the Tangled Skein--Usagi finds shelter at an inn that has trouble. The daughter of the innkeeper traveled through a haunted woods called The Tangled Skein and is now sick. Suspecting demonic possession, a Bonze (Buddhist priest) is called for an exorcism. Usagi patrols outside with the hired guards (who aren't very useful) while the Bonze works inside. The story gives a little mythology and a lot of action.

The Bonze's Story--The tragic backstory of the Bonze is told here. He previously served with a lord, protecting his lord's son and his own son on a pilgrimage. Just before the destination, tragedy struck. Circumstances, or maybe karma, gave the unhappy ending to the tale.

Bats, The Cat, and The Rabbit--Usagi has a run in with the Komori Ninja, a tribe of bats who are always looking to cause harm. They are on the trail of Chizu, a ninja in her own right with a secret document. Usagi runs across her at a temple and they are forced to fight the Komori together. Usagi behaves honorably (as usual) among the thieves. The ending is a bit of a surprise in a very satisfying way.

The Chrysanthemum Pass--Usagi meets a wandering merchant who sells medicine along his route. Usagi's path overlaps the merchant, so they travel together. Meanwhile, a lord is traveling to a meeting with the other lords. Assassins have been hired to take the lord down. Usagi doesn't know this but the medicine guy is aware since he is part of the murderous conspiracy.The set up makes for a nicely dramatic tale.

Lightning Strikes Twice--Inazuma shows up again as she is pursued by assassins. Usagi discovers her telling her life story to a small group in a wayside shed. Her father wanted her to marry an older man (even older than her father!) but she loved a poor, young samurai. She ran away with the younger man but life was hard since times were peaceful. She trained as a samurai so she could perform as a novelty act on the streets. He gambled away their earnings, eventually getting in trouble with a corrupt dealer. She avenged her husband's death. The family of the dealer is still trying to kill her. It's a familiar tale but still told with aplomb and explains why she is on the run.

The book ends with some commentary by Sakai on the stories, explaining the background details concerning Japanese traditions, myths, and folklore. There's also a gallery of covers Sakai made for various publications of these stories. The short biography of him features a picture of him riding a Segway!

Highly recommended--Sakai is a great storyteller and his art works well with the stories.