Usagi Yojimbo Book 22: Tomoe's Story by Stan Sakai
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.