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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SAMURAI SPIRITS CHARACTERS Many of the characters in Samurai Spirits are based on historical or fictional characters. However, it is important to realize that these are historical figures seen through the lens of popular culture. Many legends have been woven around the Yagyu clan. Hattori Hanzo is considered the archtypal ninja in Japan, and consequently his life has probably been greatly embellished. Similarly, Musashi is regarded as the archtypal samurai or kensei. In this case, the popular image of Musashi in modern Japan has been shaped by Eiji Yoshikawa's book Musashi, which is a sort of "fictional biography" of his life. Hence, the game designers probably based many of their characters on their knowledge of famous fighters in Japanese popular culture. Haohmaru--Based on Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), the classic model of the samurai. Musashi was a ronin when he was young, roaming the countryside and testing his skill against various opponents. (sounds familiar...) His religion was The Way of the Sword, in which he hoped to gain enlightenment through perfect mental control and physical skill. (like arcade players today :-) This goal came at the expense of everything else, even love (this sorta explains Haohmaru's ending...) and personal appearance (which explains Haohmaru's haircut). Musashi developed the fighting technique of using two swords at once (although Haohmaru only has one). He also eventually became a samurai of the Hasokawa daiymo, which had previously employed his rival Genryu earlier. Despite his famous martial prowess, Musashi gradually came to believe that enlightenment could also be achieved through the arts as well, and became a notable painter and woodsculptor. He left a famous book on the art of swordfighting, "The Book of Five Rings", that (curiously enough) has been used to advise businessmen today how to become better competitors! SS2--Musashi (at least according to Yoshikawa) did have a Zen Buddhist monk as a mentor during his early years named Takuan Soho (also a real person--there's a pickle named after him!). This could be the basis of Nicotine, although Takuan did not puff joints, drink coffee, or throw talismans around... Tachibana Ukyo--Based on Sasaki Kojiro Genryu (?--1612), Musashi's skilled rival. Genryu wielded a VERY long sword called the "Drying Pole". He was reputed to be the most skilled swordsman around, and could slice swallows in mid-air, according to Yoshikawa. The preface to the Book of Five Rings says that he developed a sword technique inspired by the movement of a swallow's tail in flight. This is the basis of Ukyo's "swoop swallow slice". Genryu even named the school of swordsmanship he founded Tsumabe Gaeshi. Nevertheless, during their duel Musashi killed him in one blow (two, according to some accounts). Just like Ukyo and Haohmaru, Musashi and Genryu fought on an isle off of the coast of Japan, and Musashi showed up late for the duel as a psychological tactic (this could explain why Ukyo and Haohmaru are at the same place, but totally different times). After he defeated Genryu, the island was renamed Genryu Isle ("Gairyu Isle"), although it's actually by Shimonoseki. Note that this was Musashi's most famous duel, and is pretty much a cultural reference in Japan. Incidentally, in the book Musashi, Genryu comes off as a totally selfish and arrogant bastard. Unlike Ukyo, he's not a womanizer either. And he doesn't face away from his opponents, with his sword in his scabbard. AND he doesn't have blue hair :-) SS2--As for Ukyo having tuberculosis, Genryu never came down with it. He didn't live long enough. Yagyu Jubei--The Yagyus were a famous line of samurai. Yagyu Muneyoshi was a samurai renown for his skill with the sword and his general samurai prowness. His son, Yagyu Munenori became the personal sword instructor of the Tokugawa shoguns. The son of Munenori was Yagyu Jubei Mitsuyoshi, who also started out as the shogun's sword instructor but was dismissed for unclear reasons. It was rumored that this was actually a cover for Jubei to go on covert missions for the shogun or the emperor. (hence his nickname in SS, "The Emperor's Secret Servant") Because of this, popular legend holds that that Jubei actually became sort of a samurai-ninja. He is often depicted with an eyepatch, said to be the result of a childhood punishment. Nothing said about Jubei using two swords, although Musashi was said to have introduced this technique. Interestingly, in the book Musashi, Yagyu Muneyoshi had retired from his castle, and lived in seclusion in a small house nestled in a bamboo grove behind it! Perhaps Jubei inherited his grandfather's hideaway? Hattori Hanzo (1541-1596)--He actually existed, and was the most famous of the ninjas of Iga (Iga province has been connected with ninja activities throughout history). The Hattori ninjas fought for Ieyasu Tokugawa in his quest to reunite Japan. He had a son, but I found nothing suggesting anything tragic befell him. His son's name was _not_ Amakusa, it was Hattori Masanari. Wan Fu--OK, I have two possibilities about the background of this character. The first comes from Frederick Lee, who says that Wan Fu is based on a swordsman during the Ch'ing dynasty called Wan Wu. He was an anti-Ch'ing warrior with a big sword; people called him "Big Scimitar Wan Wu". He's been turned into a folk hero by the Chinese, who supposedly protected the weak. This sounds really promising, but so far I've been unable to follow up on this lead. If anyone can give me any books that mention this guy, please contact me! The second lead bases Wan Fu upon the ancient, almost legendary, founder of the Chou Dynasty, King Wu Wang. At this time (1100 B.C.) China was a fragmented country of kingdoms and kings. King Wu became famous for his martial prowess when he conquered the rival Sheng Kingdom and incorporated it into the Kingdom of the Chou. He moved the capital of his kingdom to Hao, now called Sian. There is evidence that King Wu wanted to unify all of known China, but he died before that could be accomplished. Confucious cites him as an example of a strong and virtuous king. Note that Wu is his FIRST name--in Japanese style, it would be "Wang Wu." Hmmm... It might be that Wan Fu is based upon both these figures. Evidence for Wan Wu include the fact that he wielded a big sword and he lived during the time period of SS. Evidence for King Wu include the fact that he was king of Sian and a military conqueror. It also explains the historical discrepancy of "King" Wan Fu (during the time period of SS, China was unified under the Ch'ing dynasty so Wan Fu can't be a king). SS2--the short blurb about Wan Fu says that he is destined to unify all of China, which furthers the incongruity with the SS time period and offers more support to the "King Wu" theory, as King Wu also wanted to unify China. Senryo Kyoshiro--Getting info on this guy was a real pain, mainly because almost all English books on Japan focus on economics, politics, and so forth and very little on popular culture. No wonder academics are considered out of touch... OK, silly gripes aside... Kyoshiro is based on a fictional character named Nemuri Kyoshiro. "Sleepy-Eyed Kyoshiro, Notes on Villany," by Renzaburo Shibata was a novel serialized in a post-war magazine and later made into a TV series. Kyoshiro was a skilled swordsman, but was also an eccentric outcast and a womanizer. I found nothing that said he was an actor but the information I have on him is limited. If anyone knows of any English books that mention this guy (most likely something covering old Japanese TV shows) please tell me! Note that Kyoshiro is in the Kabuki costume of a lion, which is why he has such long red hair. Also note that fans are an essential part of Kabuki theater, and used in dances and such. Charlotte--In 1972, Riyoko Ikeda wrote a famous manga (Japanese comic) series called The Rose of Versailles. It concerned the various dealings in Versailles right before the French Revolution. The main (fictional) character was Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, an aristocratic woman who wore men's clothing and a sword, and became the head of the guard at Versailles. Despite her background, she later turned on her employers and joined the French Revolution. Note that Charlotte throws a rose every time after winning a fight. SS2--Charlotte throws roses again. Also in her scene, the carpet has a giant rose on it and there are bowls of roses at the ends of the hall. And she's still at Versailles. "Rose of Versailles." Hmmm... Amakuza Shiro (1622-1638)--also known as Masuda Shiro Tokisada. He led a Christian-inspired uprising in the Shimabara region of Japan. His father (Masuda Jimboye Yoshitsugu) was, ironically enough, a samurai. Heavy taxation and persecution caused the peasants and ronin of the Shimabara region to revolt, the last challenge to Tokugawa authority until the opening of Japan in 1868. Amakuza became their charismatic leader, and they gave him such titles as "Heavenly Master" (his nickname in SS is "The Child of God"), which is of course unorthodox, at least to European Christianity. The rebellion was eventually crushed, although Amakuza's body was never recovered. Note that a lot of Amakuza's quotes make sense once you consider his background... The following characters probably don't have a historical basis: Galford--One, San Francisco did not exist during the time of SS. Second, there were of course no ninjas in America at that time. He could be based on a fictional character, however. Suggestions, anyone? Earthquake--Texas also did not exist at this time, and he's an anachronistic ninja too, as his nickname says. Musashi did fight a person skilled with a Nage Gama named Shishido Baikin, who was also portrayed as somewhat of a roguish character. But that's probably it as far as background goes. Gen-An--Well, first it was suggested he was a Tengu. Then it was suggested he was an Oni. So what is he? I think he's a cross between Blanka and Vega, myself... Nienhalt Sieger--As many people have pointed out, his name is sort of a joke. It means "No Halt Victory." I doubt he was a real person. He could based on a fiction character, however. If you know something, contact me... Historically, Sieger would be a Teutonic Knight, the Prussian order of knights. Don't know if their symbol is a lion, though. Tam-Tam--The FAQ states the inconsistencies pretty clearly. Tam-Tam supposedly is Incan but: 1) Quetzacoatl is an Aztec god, 2) the Incans didn't have steel, 3) he looks like a Maori from New Zealand, 4) his dress looks Aztecan. Cham-Cham--To my knowledge, boomerangs were not found in the New World. Paku-Paku also looks like a chimpanzee, which are not found in the New World either. And of course, there's her hair.... Sources Unknown: Nakoruru--Perhaps she is based on a manga/anime character? Suggestions, anyone? Nakoruru wears the traditional dress of the Ainu, as does her family. Genjuro--TAPFAQ says he might be based on Musashi's childhood friend, Matahachi. However, in the book Musashi, Matahachi was a total failure as a samurai and a warrior (sort of an "anti-Musashi"), so I'm not so sure. As for the historical Matahachi, there isn't one--he's a fictional character made up by Yoshikawa. Perhaps Genjuro's a totally made-up character, although the whole thing with the frog suggests that he might be based on a Japanese folk-tale or something like that. Mizuki--No idea. She kind of looks like Sakura from Urusei Yatsura, though. Same appearance, same dress, and they're both Shinto priestesses. Note that the weapon she uses is a tamagushi, which is used as a purification device in Shinto rituals, although it isn't nearly as dangerous a weapon in real life. Kuroko--Koroko are an essential part of Kabuki. They are best described as a cross between a stagehand and a personal assistant to the actors. Their many tasks include adding or removing props when needed, wiping persperation off of an actor's face or bringing him water, assisting an actor in changing a costume while on-stage (!), and other necessary tasks to ensure a Kabuki performance runs smoothly. They are dressed in black so as not to be seen (traditional backgrounds were often dark so they blended in) and wore a black flap over their face to signify that they were not "real" people in the play. They did their work as quietly and quickly as possible, so as not to be noticed. Anyone who has any info they would like to add, please tell me! Sources: Ninja, the True Story of Japan's Secret Warrior Cult by Stephen Turnbull Samurai, the Story of a Warrior Tradition by Harry Cook The Heart of the Warrior by Catharina Blomberg Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi (introduction: Victor Harris) China's Imperial History by Charles O. Hucker Manga! Manga! The Story of Japanese Comics by Frederik L. Shodt The Kabuki Theatre by Earle Ernst Totally Obnoxious Notes to Urusei Yatsura, vol. 15 by Animiego The SS FAQ by Mark Maestas and Ewan Ng Shawn Holmes Frederick Lee Galen Komatsu --Scott Fujimoto