Are any of your characters in Usagi Yojimbo based on real people?
(Sequential Tart Interview, Feb 2001) Tomoe Gozen lived in the 12th century during the Gempei War, Japan’s Civil War, and was famed for her martial skill as well as her beauty. She was the consort of Lord Kiso Yoshinaka who conquered Kyoto and set himself up as Shogun. His older half-brother drove Kiso out of the capital and cornered him in Uji Province. Kiso refused to let Tomoe die with him because it would lessen his status as a samurai and a man so she jumped on her horse, attacked the opposing army and cut off the general’s head. She went on to become a nun. The visuals of my Tomoe Ame was based on Etsuko Shiomi, a star in the 80’s. Incidentally, Tomoe Ame is also the name of a candy I used to eat as a kid (each box came with a toy). Another historical figure, Date Masamune, became the model for Lord Hikiji who plays an important part in Usagi’s wanderings. It was Hikiji who killed Usagi’s lord, making him a masterless warrior. Masamune actually lived in the 16-17th century and as
