shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Jul 26, 2016 19:46:26 GMT -5
 Published: April 2006 Synopsis: "World-renowned storyteller Stan Sakai explores a very important part of Japanese culture in this special issue of Usagi Yojimbo. After an eventful stay, the time has come for Usagi to continue his wandering travels and bid farewell to the Geishu Province. Before he goes, he and Tomoe will first partake in the chanoyu-the formal tea ceremony. But is there something besides tea brewing between the two of them? Meanwhile, unbeknownst to either of the pair, arrangements are being made for Tomoe's marriage. This unusual issue explores the stylized, spiritual event of the tea ceremony, which epitomizes the feeling of Zen" Notes: Discuss the issue and/or post full reviews below! |
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,864
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Post by shaxper on Jul 26, 2016 19:56:14 GMT -5
This is in my Top 3 of favorite Usagi stories ever. I love when an artist has the ability to communicate more without words than with. Add to that the amount of discipline and restraint exhibited by Usagi and Tomoe throughout, only to drop off in those final moments, as well as the painstaking research (didn't Stan have to redo an entire page after realizing that a samurai had to leave his weapons outside, or something to that extent?) and the result is such an overpowering experience each time I re-read it.
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Post by usagigoya on Sept 25, 2016 12:36:12 GMT -5
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,864
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Post by shaxper on Sept 25, 2016 13:23:54 GMT -5
It's finaly on their website! I've been waiting for this. Thanks for posting the link |
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Post by stillpoint on Dec 3, 2016 2:18:55 GMT -5
I love that it's so different. Can you even call it a story? Does it have a beginning, middle, and end?
I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets added enjoyment from this because I know it's meticulously researched and depicted. And then there's the layer provided by the history of the characters involved. In fact, those aspects make up so much of how I view this issue, I have a hard time stepping back from it. If this were someone's first Usagi experience, what would they get from it? I should probably hand it to my wife and find out.
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Post by lobsterjohnson on Dec 3, 2016 20:10:14 GMT -5
If this were someone's first Usagi experience, what would they get from it? That is an excellent question. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 24, 2017 16:34:50 GMT -5
This is in my Top 3 of favorite Usagi stories ever. I love when an artist has the ability to communicate more without words than with. Add to that the amount of discipline and restraint exhibited by Usagi and Tomoe throughout, only to drop off in those final moments, as well as the painstaking research (didn't Stan have to redo an entire page after realizing that a samurai had to leave his weapons outside, or something to that extent?) and the result is such an overpowering experience each time I re-read it. This is my new favorite Usagi story. It was just so emotionally powerful...that ending was so bittersweet that it very nearly brought me to tears. The silence was used exquisitely, and I loved the cultural insight. |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,864
|
Post by shaxper on Aug 24, 2017 18:57:01 GMT -5
This is in my Top 3 of favorite Usagi stories ever. I love when an artist has the ability to communicate more without words than with. Add to that the amount of discipline and restraint exhibited by Usagi and Tomoe throughout, only to drop off in those final moments, as well as the painstaking research (didn't Stan have to redo an entire page after realizing that a samurai had to leave his weapons outside, or something to that extent?) and the result is such an overpowering experience each time I re-read it. This is my new favorite Usagi story. It was just so emotionally powerful...that ending was so bittersweet that it very nearly brought me to tears. The silence was used exquisitely, and I loved the cultural insight. I honestly can't remember what I thought my first two favorite stories were when I made that post. I always think of this one as my absolute favorite. Stan at his unequivocal best. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 24, 2017 19:15:21 GMT -5
This is my new favorite Usagi story. It was just so emotionally powerful...that ending was so bittersweet that it very nearly brought me to tears. The silence was used exquisitely, and I loved the cultural insight. I honestly can't remember what I thought my first two favorite stories were when I made that post. I always think of this one as my absolute favorite. Stan at his unequivocal best. Before reading this issue my favorites had been A Kite Story, The Broken Ritual, A lizards tale, Kaiso,and Usagi-Taro but this issue handily blows them all out of the water. |
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Post by brutalis on Jul 3, 2019 8:24:17 GMT -5
A truly lovely story which speaks to the heart(s) of the matter between Usagi and Tomoe. Stan provides such detailed nuances in this mostly silent shared moment showing the depths and beauty found within the precise and intricate tea ceremony reflecting all the aspects of the ceremony itself as well as all it reflects in Usagi and Tomoe's relationship. A quiet, subtle issue revolving upon personal introspection and respect full of emotional levels far beyond what you first see on the pages. This one requires several readings to help soak up the various meanings as we reflect on the characters and the moments they share. A quiet bit of contemplation of ourselves is even explored and allowed as the art expresses the story and our own touch of personal interpretations of what we see. Sometimes words are NOT necessary and only help to push a story along too quickly to the next panel where here Stan allows us the pleasure and leisure of reading at our own pace before moving from panel to panel and to the next page. This takes a real dedication as a writer and an artist, when you allow the characters and story to breath and move and unfold on their own...
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,864
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Post by shaxper on Jul 3, 2019 8:29:19 GMT -5
This takes a real dedication as a writer and an artist, when you allow the characters and story to breath and move and unfold on their own... Absolutely! Consider again those early color special stories Stan wrote, anticipating Usagi's return to the Geishu province. Clearly, he originally anticipated that happening far sooner in the series, but Usagi took a route of his own. I'd love to pick Stan's brains about how this (final?) goodbye compares to his original intentions for this reunion. |
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Post by coke & comics on Mar 14, 2022 13:28:41 GMT -5
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Post by thwhtguardian on Mar 20, 2022 13:43:41 GMT -5
I have a feeling this is going to be a new favorite blog of mine! |
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Post by estee on Mar 22, 2022 19:22:18 GMT -5
I liked this page so much I had to own it. Made Stan an offer he couldn't refuse.  |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,864
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Post by shaxper on Mar 23, 2022 16:24:36 GMT -5
I liked this page so much I had to own it. Made Stan an offer he couldn't refuse. An incredible acquisition for an incredible fan! How short is the short list of people other than Stan who own original pages now? |
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