Bonanzai!

Chapter 1: Welcome to the Lion’s Den - Chōshū

Hero: Akihito Toyotomi (Makoto)

There was much speculation about the roots of the young man who would come to be known as “Makoto.”  Some claimed he was a farmer’s son from the Aizu domain named Akihito who left his family to become a samurai in the last years of the Tokugawa Shogunate.  Records indicated that in 1860, one Akihito Toyotomi (16 years old) trained at the Tennen Rishin-ryū Dojo in the Tama district.  Master swordsman Hiroshi Ishida managed the dojo.  Tennen Rishin-ryū was a sword style popular in many farming districts which backed the claim that Akihito was a farmer’s son.

It was speculated that Hiroshi Ishida not only acted as an instructor but also as friend, mentor and father figure to Akihito and another of his pupils – Yoshi Arakawa.  During that time Hiroshi became aware of the illustrious Shinsengumi of Kyoto.  The Shinsengumi was a pro-shogunate, elite police force created to bring peace to Kyoto.  Hiroshi left the dojo in order to join their ranks and urged his two best pupils, Akihito and Yoshi, to join him in search of a life of glory in defense of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

A distinguishing feature of the kenjutsu syllabus, prescribed by Hiroshi, was the use of a paired katana and wakizashi commonly referred to as nitōjutsu or two-sword method.  Due to his reputation as an accomplished fencing instructor and master of nitōjutsu, Hiroshi was accepted immediately.  Akihito’s and Yoshi’s acceptances were based on a trial which involved dueling with one another.  The duel resulted in a tie.  As a result they were both accepted. No longer commoners, they were now respectable samurai.

After joining the ranks of the Shinsengumi, Yoshi found himself drawn to Kano Serizawa and aligned himself with Serizawa’s corrupt Mito Faction.  Serizawa’s penchant for drunken rampages, extortion and dishonorable behavior tarnished the reputation of the Shinsengumi. As a result, the people of Kyoto feared and despised the police force sanctioned to keep the peace.  In order to restore the honor of the Shinsengumi, Kondo Isami, leader of the Shieikan Faction, assassinated Serizawa and put an end to the corrupt Mito Faction, or so he thought.

Outraged by the assassination of Serizawa, and with an overall dissatisfaction with the Shinsengumi and its strict adherence to Bushido, Yoshi began to think of deserting.  He gathered the former members of the Mito Faction and sought other avenues of employment.  Yoshi and his new faction, the Kuro Faction, continued where the Mito Faction left off - extorting money, hiring themselves out as bodyguards and assassins.  Their most lucrative form of employment came in acting as spies for the anti-shogunate Mori and Shimazu clans who were plotting to restore Emperor Meji to power.  Before long the Kuro Faction made plans to desert the Shinsengumi and strike out on their own – expressly forbidden by Shinsengumi code.

Hiroshi Ishida soon learned of Yoshi’s corruption and planned desertion.  Fearful that Hiroshi would inform on them, Yoshi and his faction plotted to assassinate him and flee Kyoto.  Members of the Shieikan Faction, including Akihito, learned of the assassination plot but weren’t in time to prevent it.  It was believed that Akihito was the one who discovered the body of his dear instructor Hiroshi. The Shieikan Faction managed to capture and behead many of the Kuro Faction but Yoshi and three of his cronies, Juro Takeda, Ichiro Genji and Arata Kano managed to escape.  They fled to the Mori Clan of Chōshū where they gained employment as bodyguards, assassins and spies thereby canceling their allegiance to the Tokugawa Shongunate.

In the wake of Hiroshi’s murder, a mournful Akihito tried to rally support to travel to Chōshū and bring Yoshi and the other turncoats to justice.  However, Akihito’s request was denied as the Shinsengumi received orders to leave immediately for Fushimi to act as a security force there.  Akihito was conflicted by his desire to avenge Hiroshi’s murder and his duty to the Shinsengumi. 

In the end, he broke ranks and deserted the Shinsengumi, condemning himself to a dishonorable life.  He would seek revenge on his beloved instructor’s slayers and restore his honor through seppuku – ritual suicide.  During this time of vengeance he deserted his identity; abandoned Akihito Toyotomi and became “Makoto”

A combination of rough process and finish work from sophomore Jessica Parker.

Our Narrator

“So, arter th’ murder o’ Hiroshi Ishida, Akihito disguis’d hisself an’ travel’d to Hagi, th’ capital city o‘ th’ Chōshu domain where he plann’d t’ hire hisself out t’ th’ Mori Clan ‘n th’ hope o’ findin’ Yoshi an’ th’ oth’r turncoats.  Howev’r, Yoshi ‘n his bunch figur’d he might be a’comin’ an’ sent Ichiro Genji t’ spy on ‘m an’ kill ‘m if necess’ry.  While in Chōshu, Akihito discover’d ‘at factions o’ th’ Mori Clan had been sendin’ represen’atives t’ th’ Unit’d States t’ buy arms an’ amm’nition from a corrupt milit’ry offic’r an’ war profiteer ‘n order t’ further their own in’erests.  Yoshi an’ th’ other turncoats was employed t’ protect th’ represen’atives while they was ‘n th’ States.  If Akihito was goin’ t’ get revenge he too ‘uld have t’ travel abroad an‘ kill his enemies ‘n foreign soil.  Howev’r ‘at meant high-tailin’ it outta Chōshu, back t’ Yokohama t’ ketch a’boat.  Well, Ichiro Genji had oth’r plans tho an’ ‘at meant stoppin’ Akihito b’fore he culd git thar.  Whilst spyin’ on Akihito, Ichi discover’d he had been sleepin’ ‘n a shinto shrine dedicat’d t’ th‘ spirit o’ Tajima-mori jest outside th’ city limits.  A perfect place t’ set up ‘n ambush mebbe?”

Villain: Ichiro Genji (Ichi)

Shinsengumi traitor, ronin, master assassin and spy in the service of the Mori clan. Upon arriving in Chōshu, Ichi disguised himself in the in the typical garb of a Komuso monastic of the Fuke school of Zen Buddhism.  This included wearing a straw basket called a tengai and carrying a shakuhachi flute.  Disguised as a monk and playing his flute for alms, Ichi was often able to get close to his unsuspecting targets and gather important information or attempt an assassination.

"Rumor says ‘at while travelin’ on a desert’d mountain road, Ichi fell prey t‘ th’ Yama-uba who was fixin‘ t’ eat him.  Ichi fooled th‘ Yama-uba t’ believin‘ ‘at he passed a group o’ pilgr‘ms on th’ road b’fore meetin’ her.  In return fer sparin‘ his life he ‘uld lead this unsuspectin’ group o‘ wary pilgrims t’ her hut so she could feast on ‘em instead.  She agreed an’ Ichi fled, never livin‘ up t’ his word an‘ takin’ wit him Yama-uba’s recipe fer a deadly poison - th’ same poison which he tipped his darts in.”

“Th’ ol‘ shinto shrine, that’s where Ichi ‘uld lay a trap ’n kill Akihito.  Little did Ichi know ‘at Yama-uba vowed t’ find him an’ devour him alive.  She used her shape-shiftin’ abilities an’ sorc’ry t’ follow Ichi.  Disguis‘d as a monk, Ichi had no problem movin’ ‘round th’ temple but, unbeknownst t’ him, Yama-uba ‘ad disguis’d herself as a Kannushi. I guess ye culd say ‘at Ichi ‘d got his comeuppance. Suffice t’ say Akihito made it outta Chōshu ‘live an’ well but it ‘pears ’at Yama-uba took an’ in’erest in ol’ Akihito an’ if he weren’t careful, he culd be next!” 

Creature: Neko-mata

A “monster cat” with supernatural abilities that Ichi kept as a pet.  The most striking features of the neko-mata was its size (almost five feet long) and a long tail that forked in two.  The neko-mata frightened any who came in contact with it, was able to walk on its hind legs, shape-shift into a human and shoot fireballs.  A neko-mata was able to reanimate a fresh corpse by jumping over it.

“Often, Ichi would command th’ neko-mata t’ reanimate his recent victims t’ use as his undead slaves!”

Vehicle: Norimono (Palanquin)

“I guess thar weren’t no stage coaches ‘round so ev’ryone ‘at’s anyone ‘s travellin’ ‘round ’n one o’ these palanquins.  Now, when Ichi went fer a ride, his palaquin was carried by th‘ undead who wus re-animat’d by his pet cat, oth’rwise know’d as th’ Neko-mata.  Musta been one helluva stinky ride!  This norimono wus like a little room an’ seein’ as he wus in a dang’rous line o’ work, Ichi made sure it was ‘nconspicuous-like but fully armored wit plently o’ gadgets, gizmos an weap’nry.  Oh yeah, it wus also decorat’d in charms ‘r runes ’r whatnot cuz Ichi wus afeart ‘at th’ Yama-uba ‘uld be outta git ’m.”

Chapter 2: Sea of Trees - Aokigahara

“So, Akihito had t’ shake a’ leg an‘ git all’a way t‘ Yokohama if he want’d t‘ ketch up t’ Yoshi n‘ his bunch.   His journey north brought him by way o’ Aokigahara, a forest at th’ base o’ Mt. Fuji.  Well, this sea o’ trees’ was one helluva dark an’ spooky place.  B‘fore long, he was lost, cold, tired n’ ‘ungry.  As night fell, this quiet forest ‘us alive with enuff shriekin’ an’ hollerin’ t’ raise th’ dead but, in this case, seems it WUS th’ dead makin’ all ‘at racket!”  

“There were Hito-dama - weird green balls o’ light wit‘ long, thin tails a flyin’ an’ all mann’r a’ Goryō loose ‘n them woods.  Well, I don’t need t’ tell ya, as brave as Akihito was, he was still scar’d but he braced hisself best he c’uld.  An’ jest when y’ thought it couldn’t git any worse, it commenc’d t’ rainin’.  That’s when he begun t’ hear ‘nother sound, a sound ’at wusn’t nuthin’ like all the wailin’ an’ moanin’ the ghosts wus doin’.  This wus a slappin’ sound like drummin’ but ‘t weren’t no drum an’ it weren’t no clappin’ neither. So what ‘n th’ hell wus it?!”  Well, Akihito squints ‘is eyes so’s t’ see what‘s a’comin’ an’ makin’ that slappin’ sound.  The bushes commence t’ shakin’ an’ out pops . . .

Hero: The Ghost of Hiroshi Ishida?

. . . a raccoon wit’ th’ biggest scrotum y’ev’r did see!  

"Well, this weren‘t no run a’ th’ mill raccoon. It wus more like a dog, no, a bear cus it were walkin’ on two legs.  Accordin’ t’ legend, this critter go’d by a’name o’ Tanuki.  Well, whatev’r ‘twas th’ thing drummed on it’s big ol’ belly an’ those green wil-o’-the-wisps flew off quick ‘s lightinin’ and th’ hootin’ an’ a’hollerin’ died down.”

 
“Seein’ ‘at Akihito wus wet, th’ Tanuki took off his hat an’ give it to ‘m, then he give ’m a big ol’ pull from his sake bottle.  This critter had some bi ol’ eyes t’ see in th’ night so he grabs Akihito’s hand an’ leads ‘m deeper into th’ woods.  Along th’ way th’ Tanuki wus pickin’ up money an’ handin’ it t’ Akihito but all Akihito culd see on th’ forest floor wus leaves.  So where’d all ‘at money come from?!”

It's possible that multiple students could end up designing the same character.  This chapter, and many others, saw a number of students tackling the same character. It's always exciting to see variations on a theme.

Kyle opted to tackle Hiroshi Ishida in his human form instead of the Tanuki. One of the more successful attempts at emulating Nick Carver's style in my opinion.

 

“The Tanuki led poor Akihito to a shelter’d spot in th’ woods where there was a Hokora, which t’ us ‘uld be a small Shinto shrine. There were jars of sake an‘ rice hiddenun’er bushes an‘ in hollow’d out trees n’ logs.  Akihito an’ that lil’ critter ate and drank until they passed out, an’then did it agin’."

"That is, until SHE come along.”

 

Villain: Yama-uba 

Kyle Bidinger's rendition of Yama Uba

A yōkai or oni that looked like a hideous old woman. Her unkempt hair was long and white and her red kimono was filthy and tattered. Her mouth was sometimes said to stretch the entire width of her face.  She was able to animate her hair and possibly even turned it into snakes, using it to pull her prey into her mouth.  She was skilled in the arts of sorcery, potions and poisons.Yama-uba preyed on travelers who had become lost in her wooded lair.  She was able to change her appearance and she used this tactic to great success in capturing her victims.  Sometimes, she changed her appearance to that of a beautiful woman or possibly one of her victim's loved ones. Other times, she retained her hag-like form and played the part of a helpless old woman. Once she had gained her quarry's trust, she often moved in and ate them on the spot or offered to lodge the victim in her hut where she would fatten the traveler up and attack.

“So Tanuki an’ Akihito are ‘n a drunken stupor when a be-oo-tif’l lookin’ woman come into there camp.  Well, Tanuki, he know’d bett’r n’ Akihito th’ diff’rent creatures a’livin’ in them woods an’ he know’d this woman was up t‘ no good.  He tried t’ hold Akihito back but he seem’d t’ be pull’d t’wards her, all trance-like.  So, Tanuki did what needed doin’, he used that immense scrotum t’ bludgeon th’ woman who then runn’d off in t’ th’ woods.  Well, Akihito seemed t’ snap outta it but lat’r in th’ night anoth’r figur come outta th’ woods.  This figur was none oth’r than Hiroshi Ishida!  How culd it be?!  Akihito hisself wus th’ one ‘at discover’d Hiroshi’s body.  Again, all trance-like Akihito commenc’d t’ followin’ his former master an’ friend into th’ woods.”

Angela Bartlett's Yama Uba in her "be-oo-tif'l" form.

"Ol’ Tanuki was out like a light, snorin’ like a crosscut saw.  Hiroshi went deep’r into th’ woods, beckonin’ Akihito t’ follow t’ which he did.  As he got clos’r, Hiroshi’s mouth got wider ‘n th’ Mississippi Riv’r an‘ he start’d lookin‘ like an old hag!  She was fixin’ t’ eat ‘m whole!  Then, outta nowhere, come a flash o’ white. A figur ‘n a white burial kimono wit wild, unkempt, long black hair appeart an’ attack’d th’ Yama-uba.  Th’ figur was a ghostly vision o’ Hiroshi Ishida!  Th’ Yama-uba fled into th’ woods an’ the ghost o’ Hiroshi transform’d into the Tanuki.  So, ‘us Hiroshi Ishida a man ’r a shape-shiftin’ Tanuki all these years?!”

Creature: Kappa

A man-sized, frog-like creature that had a tortoise face and a duck beak.  Kappa had a water-filled depression atop its head surrounded by scraggly hair. It also had a thick shell and scaly, yellow green skin.  Kawatarō lived in a mountain river before being enchanted and enslaved by Yama-uba.

“So, the myst’ry o’ Hiroshi Ishida, or shuld I say th’ Tanuki, wus nev’r solv’d as the Tanuki disppear’d arter rescuin’ Akihito from th’ clutches o’ the evil Yama-uba.  Akihito pushed on thru th’ night an’ the wee hours until he come to a pond.  As soon as he layed eyes on this here pond he b’came parched as all git up.  He bent down t’ take a big ol’ gulp o’ water when he ‘us pull’d in by some frog-like man some a’ call a Kappa."

  
 












"The two wrestl’d in th’ water fer a spell until Akihito torn one o’ th’ Kappa’s arms clear off!  Now, legend says, th’ Kappa culd re-attach his arm an’ Akihito know’d this so here ‘us his Ace in the Hole.  He tells Kappa he’ll give ‘m back his arm if, in return, th’ Kappa leads him outta the forest.  The Kappa look’d a might ruff but wus true t’ his word an’ he lead Akihito t’ th’ edge o’ th’ forest.  Akihito gives ‘m his arm back an’ doesn’t look back.
 
"That wus one helluva walk ‘n th’ woods!” 

 

Chapter 3: Death at Sea: The Port of Yokohama

“Th’ Port o’ Yokohama was quite a place wit merchant ships, all kind o' foods, clothes and languages bein’ spoken.  This were th’ first time Akihito ev’r did see a foriegn’r.  He wander’d around th’ vicin’ty amongst tradin’ firms, warehouses, banks, churches, stores, hotels, saloons untill he came upon th’ harbor.  His goal was t’ take all th’ money th’ Tanuki give’m an’ book passage ‘board a ship bound fer th’ west or, if ‘at don’t work, stow-away on one.  That’s when he spied Juro Takeda, one of the turncoats responsible fer th’ death o’ Hiroshi Ishida, dressed in Western fashion.  He follow’d Juro, at a safe distance, to th’ Miyozaki Quart’r o’ Yokohama.  This quart’r o’ th’ city is devot’d t’ entertainment an’ Juro enter’d a well known brothel a’called the Gankiro.  It appeart he was a‘meetin’ up wit some foreign’rs - Americans, an’ one wus wearin’ the clothin’ o’ a military offic’r.  This sure piqued Akihito’s in’erest so he determin’d t’ keep a close watch.”

Heroine: Shino a.k.a Miko

“Well, I kint say much ‘bout Shino oth’r ‘an th’ obvious.  She were a geisha an’ a samisen play’r at a well know’d brothel a’name o’ Gankiro.  Ev’n her employ’rs know’d very little ‘bout her.  Rumor had ‘t ‘at she were a kunoichi-no-jutsu an’ was ‘n th’ employ o’ certain parties loy’l t’ th’ ol’ Shogun.  Seems these here parties ‘d hired a drove o’ people t’ gath’r information on anyone who ‘s plottin’ ag’inst the Shogun an’ that these spies were all ov’r th’ cities keepin’ an ear out fer suspicious activ’ty.”  

“Seems she might’a found what she wus lookin’ fer ‘at night Juro come ‘n an’ met wit them foreign’rs.  Arter performin’ on th’ samisen she got close t’ th’ group, ‘at Juro wus wit, t’ serve ‘em some sake.  They wus sure getting’ tipsy an’ Juro start’d challengin’ anyone in sight t’ wrasle.  Naow, who in there right mind ‘d want t’ wrasle ‘at mountain o’ man but, sure enuff, some drunkerd accept’d th’ challenge and th’ two idjits commenc’d t’ wraslin’.”  
                                         

“Durin’ th’ commotion, Shino pulled her kanzashi hairpin, which wus prolly coat’d in poison, an’ thrust it into th’ neck a’ one a’ th’ foreign’rs.  When one o’ th’ other fellers saw this he took t’ foot but weren’t nuthin’ doin’.  Shino pull’d these things out ‘f her sleeve s’ called shuriken an’ threw ‘m and he went down like a ton o’ bricks.  Juro motion’d t’ th’ foreigner in th’ military outfit t’ go an’ then he an’ th’ others turn’d their ‘tention t’ her.  Akihito made note o’ th’ man in the military uniform.  Mebbe he wus th’ one ‘at been sellin’ arms t’ th’ Mori Clan.  Well, Shino wus outnumber’d so Akihito came out o’ hidin’ t’ help her.  They dispatch’d a few o’ th’ attackers ‘efore th’ rest run off.  Howev’r, when Juro saw ‘twas Akihito in th’ fray he took off fast’r ‘an a jackrabbit.  How kin a man ‘at big move s’ fast?!  Well, Shino an’ Akihito don’t know th’ oth’r from Adam but th’ two look at one ‘nother an’ nod as if they know’d wut t’ do.  And, that meant they were off ‘n hot pursuit o’ Juro.”

 

Villain: Juro Takeda (Tak)

Another of the Shinsengumi traitors, Juro was a ronin in the employ of the Chōshu clan and Yoshi’s right hand man.  Juro was a mountain of a man and at one time represented his province as a sumo wrestler.  As a result he was very strong and skilled in hand-to-hand combat.

“Well, Shino an’ Akihito went off into th’ night a searchin’ fer Juro.  It weren’t tough t’ figure out where a man ‘at size’d got to and ‘at wus down at th’ harbor.  Juro know’d he been follow’d an’ was lyin’ ‘n wait.  He come out o’ the shadows wearin’ th’ ceremonial kesho-mawashi o’ a sumu wrestler.  This here kesho-mawashi had a crest embroider’d on it in a design o’ a tsuchigumo.  At th’ sight o’ him, Shino throw’d more o’ them shuriken but they done stopp’d in mid-air jest a few feet from Juro an’, if that ain’t all, they jest hung there, not movin’!  ‘Bout th’ same time Akihito hurl’d hisself at Juro but he got hung up too.  He was caught in a spider’s web!”

Jose really gives us a strong sense of who Juro is, warts and all!

Roberto Garcia gives us a different look on the Sumo wrestler.

Creature: Tsuchigumo  

“Th’ web ‘at Akihito got stuck in wasn’t no ord’nry spider’s web.  It belong’d to a tsuchigumo.  How ‘n th’ Sam Hill did a tsuchigumo git t’ Yokohama ye might ask? Well, arter Juro fled from th’ Shinsengumi, he briefly sought employment as a retain’r wit a clan lord whose realm was plagued by an army o’ yokai (demons).  Th’ demons was led by a feerocious tsuchigumo - a spider-limbed creature roughly th’ size of a human.  Th’retain’rs defeated the yokai an’ chased the tsuchigumo into a cave where it was slain.  Juro sliced th’ tsuchigumo’s belly open releasin’ hundreds o’ spiders th’ size o’ human infants.  While th’ retainers slew most all th’ spiders Juro captured one, raised and trained it up t’ act as his guard and retain’r.  Juro’s odachi (long sword) was a might cumbersome t’ carry on his person so th’ tsuchigumo often carried it fer ‘m.”

“So Akihito was wrapped up in th' web and, b'fore ye know it, he were on a boat, a steam propell’d ship a call’d the Shiro-Maru.  He was worried he’d end up as a meal for th’ spider demon.  ‘Bout that time, thar were a whole mess a’commotion from th’ top deck.  A voice was cryin’ ‘funayurei!’  Jeesh, that culd only mean that a ghost o’ th’ sea wus on board an’ if someone wus stupid enough t’ give it a ladle, it would sink the Shiro-Maru t’ th’ murky depths.  Well, th’ commotion kept up fer a spell with more hootin’ an’ hollerin’ an’ then Akihito feels somethin’ cuttin’ into th’ web.  Someone’s a cuttin’ ‘m loose!  It wus Shino! She watch’d from th’ docks as Juro an’ his tsuchigumo took Akihito on board th’ Shiro-Maru.  Then, she stow’d away an’, when th’ time wus right, used her cunnin’ t’ trick one o’ th’ crew into thinkin’ she was a funayurei.  Durin’ th’ commotion she went on th’ search fer Akihito an’ found him ‘n Juro’s cabin.” 

“They tried t’ find a place t’ lay low when Juro an’ his pet spider discover’d them.  A fight broke out ‘at made it’s way below decks t’ above, from mid-day into evenin’.  Th’ captain an’ crew culd do nuthin’ but watch.  As it grew dark’r Juro armed hisself wit his lantern.  This here weren’t no reg’lar lantern but a ghost lantern ‘at culd spit fireballs and burn bright like th’ sun.  It was lookin’ bad fer Akihito an’ Shino.  They was fightin’ Juro an’ th’ tsuchigumo an’ now they were contendin’ with bein’ burnt an’ blinded.  Then, a piercing scream shot out o’ th’ darkness – Umibōzu!  With ‘at, all eyes turn’d t’ th’ sea where th’ giant head an’ piercin’ eyes of a great umibōzu came into view.  A gigantic wave, conjur’d up by th’ creature hit th’ side o’ th’ Shiro-Maru an’ a great hand came crashin’ on th’ deck.  Th’ hand o’ th’ huge creature crush’d Juro an’ his lantern flatter ‘n griddle cakes.  Word is, umibōzu don’t like fires an’ do their damndest t’ exting’ish ‘em.  More giant waves hit th’ ship but th’ creature done disappeart.  Some o’ th’ crew were gone as wus Shino, knock’d o’erboard by th’ waves an’ drown mos’ likely.  Akihito an’ some o’ th’ crew got t’geth’r an’ slew th’ tsuchigumo.  Exhaust’d, dishearten’d and hungry, Akihito return’d t’ Juro’s form’r cabin t’ rest but not b’fore findin’ out where th’ ship wus head’d – the United States of America!”

Chapter 4: Makoto - The Pacific Northwest 

“Th’ Shiro-Maru enter’d th’ mouth o’ th’ Columbia Riv’r along th’ Pacific Coast an’ made it’s way toward Fort Vancouver. Th’ fort serv’d as both tradin’ hub an’ milit’ry complex.  Here, Arato Kano, ‘nother o’ th’ Shinsengumi trait’rs, would ensure th’ saftey o’ th’ Mori Clan represen’atives involv’d in th’ buyin’ o’ mountain howitzers ‘n Springfield Model 1861 Rifles.  Well, these here reps were pretty jumpy seein’ as Juro got kilt on th’ voyage.”

“Jebidiah Schmidt, a fur trapper, was also at th’ fort buyin’ supplies an’ tradin’ his goods. Akihito wus there too, fresh off the boat an’ took in th’ scene.  He decid’d he ‘uld disrupt th’ sale an’ get Arato ‘n th’ mix.  Then, he seen th’ foreign’r in a milit’ry outfit ‘at he seen ‘n Yokohama.  He wus th’ one leadin’ th’ transaction so he must’a been th’ head honcho, seem’d so at least.  Well, this feller wus none oth’r ‘an Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Jackson, th’ corrupt, ex-Confederate offic’r ‘at wus usin’ his rank an’ status t’ make a profit off th’ killin’ o’ people in th’ States AND abroad!  Well, Akihito wus all fir’d up an’ he went head first into ‘em.  What he didn’t realize wus this were a milit’ry fort an’ Jackson were th’ highest rankin’ offic’r.  B’fore long he wus surround’d by U.S. Troops.  Akihito weren’t no dummy so he fled into th’ wilderness but, little did he know, he wus bein’ track’d by Arato Kano an’ “Rat,” as he was call’d, had a trick up his sleeve.”

  

Hero: Jebidiah Schmidt

"Mountain man - fur trapp’r – wras’ler – drunk – A free trapp’r who was responsible t’ no one but hisself an’ claim’d no loyalties t’any specific fur company, tradin’ his pelts t’ whoever ‘uld provide him wit th’ best price.  Schimdt was a gruff but honor’ble man an’ had his own chivalr’us code.  He was a loner who ‘uld help those in need but who had found his home in th’ wild.  Well, ‘at day Schmidt, seein’ as Akihito wus outnumber’d an’ hunt’d, follow’d unnotic’d."

Linda Wilmsen-Boulay's depiction of Ol' Jeb

Schmidt wore a necklace made of grizzly bear claws.  He was often recognized by significant facial scarring due to a grizzly bear attack along the Columbia River. His mule Betsy managed to kick the grizzly with her powerful hind legs. This bought Jebidiah enough time to shoot the bear with his Hawken Rifle killing it. Schmidt was able to help Akihito find safe passage out of the wilderness and aided him in picking up the trail of Stuart Jackson in the hope that Jackson would lead him to Yoshi Arakawa.

 

 

Some of Amanda's early process on Jebidiah

Props: Hawken Rifle

A muzzle-loading, black powder long-rifle.  Only 200 rifles were produced and Jebidiah was a proud owner of one.  He carved notches on the stock for every grizzly bear he killed

 

Machinery: Mountain Howitzer

“This here type o’ cannon, Stuart Jackson was fixin’ t’ sell t’ th’ members o’ th’ Mori Clan, was a cannon used durin’ our Civil War.  It was fairly easy t’ disass’mble an’ pack ‘round on a horse ‘r ye culd carry it up a mountain yerself, if ye wus foolish enuff.  Anyway, the Mori were plannin’ t’ use ‘em t’ fire at British ships on one side an’ Shogun forces on th’ oth’r.  Seems they wus in a tight jam there in Choshu!” 
 

 

Villain: Arata Kano (Rat)

Linda Wilmsen-Boulay's depiction of Rat with some sex appeal

A Shinsengumi traitor and ronin in the employ of the Chōshū clan.  Like his nickname, Rat was sneaky and sordid.  If he was in a bad mood he would get violent, especially when he was drinking, and he was a heavy drinker.  He stood out from his compatriots due to his ruddy skin and vast mane of hair resulting in a rather beastly appearance. Members of the Shinsengumi joked that Rat was in fact a manifestation of the Kami-kiri.  They thought this because he was known for sneaking up on people and cutting their hair off at the roots.  He was especially fond of getting drunk and cutting the hair of Geishas or the top-knots of rival samurai.  As a result he had a vast collection of hair and top-knots displayed on and woven into his armor.


 

Kelsey Canaga designed this "umbrella" prop and built it (below):

 

Creature: Kami-kiri 

“Well, I told ye ‘Rat’ had a trick up his sleeve.  He track’d and attack’d Akihito, not as ‘Rat,’ but in th’ terrifyin’ form of a Kami-kiri.  Rat wus a shape-shiftin’ demon with some hair fetish!  Now, Jebidiah’d been observin’ from afar an’ believ’d th’ Kami-kiri t’ be a Grizzly Bear.  He brought out his Hawken an’ shot an’ kill’d it savin’Akihito’s life.  Jebidiah come walkin’ up an’ shot th’ creature one more time, jest t’ make sure it wus dead.  He ask’d Akihito his name but poor ol’ Akihito didn’t know any English, he just kept repeatin’ ‘Makoto’ o’er an’ o’er ag’in.  So Jebidiah a call’d him Makoto an’ help’d git him on his feet an’ away from th’ fort as th’ soldiers were closin’ in arter hearin’ them gunshots.” 

 

Chapter 5: I’ve been working on the Railroad: Sierra Nevada Mountains

“Well, it seem’d Makoto’d lost th’ trail o’ Stuart Jackson an’ wound up in some shanty town along th’ railroad bein’ built along the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In order t’ earn money t’ fund his journey o’ vengeance, Makoto gain’d employment as a laborer on th’ transcontinental railroad.  He was shunned by many o’ th’ Chinese laborers due t’ his Japanese ancestry but was graciously accept’d by th’ Ng Family. The Ng family was made o’ brother an’ sister, William an’ Anna an’ their gran’daddy Chu. Chu Ng was lovin’ly referr’d t’ as Uncle Chu.”

The Ng’s were actively working towards creating a union to improve working conditions and wages for Chinese-American laborers. When it was learned that Uncle Chu was organizing a strike, the foreman sent Agents from The Pinkerton National Detective Agency to break it up and, in the ensuing riot, Uncle Chu was badly injured.  He died from injuries sustained at the hands of villainous Pinkerton Agents and Anna and William swore revenge.   Although Makoto only knew Uncle Chu for a short time, he was grateful for the kindness that was extended to him. He also witnessed many of the unfair standards heaped on the Chinese laborers on a daily basis. He vowed to help Anna and William get revenge for their grandfather. Makoto helped them to exact revenge on the agents responsible for their grandfather’s death and as a result, Anna and William vowed to aid Makoto in his quest for vengeance.  The three travelers would from then on be known as the Triad.

Heroine: Mui “Anna” Ng 

Anna was the older sister to William, ancestor and namesake of the fugitive Shaolin Monk, Mui Ng.  Anna was a master of martial arts styles, Wing Chun Kuen, Dragon, White Crane, and Five-Pattern Hung Kuen.  Her grandfather, Uncle Chu, brought her to America as a young child and he was her primary teacher in martial arts as well.  After the death of her grandfather, at the hands of Pinkerton Agents hired as strikebreakers, she disguised herself as a man to work on the railroad and exact revenge on the agents responsible for her grandfather’s death.  She was an avid agent for change, picking up where her grandfather left off and helped her brother to re-organize the Chinese laborers in a strike against the railroad company.

 

Villains: Samuel “Aces” Yeats and Jacob “Eights” Yeats

“These boys wus fraternal twins.  They wus profession’l gambl’rs who immortalized Wild Bill Hickok with their nicknames.  Ace’s an’ Eights” wus th’ last poker hand ‘at Hickok held b’fore he wus gunn’d down an’ th’ hand wus o’ten referr’d t’ as “Dead Man’s Hand.”

The brothers came up with many different systems to cheat other gamblers and the house.  As a result they had to develop their gun fighting skills as much as their gambling skills in order to survive many a lawless town; especially when they were discovered cheating.  The brothers had to flee Deadwood when they were caught cheating at cards with the fierce, familial band of outlaws known as the Karamazov Brothers. On the lam, and in need of money, they hired themselves out to the Pinkerton Agency as “muscle,” “assassins,”  “spies,” and“strike-breakers.”  They were ruthless in their dealings with the Chinese-American railroad laborers and were believed to be responsible for the death of William and Anna Ng’s Grandfather known as “Uncle Chu.”

Creature: Qilin

“Now, arter th’ death o’ Uncle Chu, William an’ Anna start’d re-organizin’ the laborers t’ strike ag’in.  This time th’ ol’ railroad comp’ny meant business an’ they sent in th’ steam tank t’ put th’ strik’re down once an’ fer all.  Now it goes ‘at th’ Qilin punishes th’ wick’d an’ can b’come fierce if a pure person is threaten’d by evil.  I’m guessin’ ‘at Qilin wus angry ‘at th’ wise ‘n good Uncle Chu wus murder’d cuz it appeart not long arter his death.  Regardless, the Qilin got into th’ fray an’ jest ‘n time as ‘at steam tank wus a formid’ble machine.  Not long arter th’ battle, the railroad start’d listenin’ t’ th’ laborers an’ meetin’ some o’ their demands.  By ‘at time th’ Triad set off, back on th’ trail o’ Stuart Jackson an’ hopefully Yoshi too.”

Machinery: Pinkerton Agency Steam Tank

The Pinkerton Agents used steam-powered tanks as personnel carriers and as motorized weapons to break strikes.  Slow but imposing, heavily armored with iron plates and bearing a formidable canon and Gatling guns the P.A.S.T had enough interior space to transport up to 10 agents although many more would ride on the top and sides. The wheels were immense in order to bear the weight.  The tanks was operated by three crewmembers, two shoveled coal into the massive coal chamber. 

“Th’ steam tank used in th’ battle b’tween th’ Triad an’ th’ Pinkert’n agents was ironic’lly dubb’d ‘Blackjack’:  a small, easily conceal’d club ‘at wus standard issue fer Pinkerton agents, used t’ knock a suspect out, ‘specially union sympathizers an’ strikers.”

Some color comps of the "Blackjack" from Adrienne Mata

Chapter 6: Painting the Desert Red: Arizona

“Th’ Triad continu’d their journ’y an’ decid’d th’ quickest route ‘d be t’ follow th’ path o’ th’ railroad east.  Little did they know ‘at they were bein’ follow’d by a villainess a’ name o’ Mai ‘at wus Yoshi’s concubine.  Yoshi ‘d caught word from Jackson ‘at th’ transaction at Fort Vancouver was disrupt’d by Akihito.  Yoshi wus concern’d an,’ as seein’ as he didn’t have no more a’ his bunch t’ order around, sent Mai out t’ investigate.  Little did he know ‘at she were more powerf’l than any o’ them combin’d!  She used her pow’rs a’ magic t’ confuse ‘the Triad an they got lost in th’ desert.  Starvin’ an’ parch’d, they wus near death.  Seein’ they were at their weakest, Mai decided t’ strike but then HE show’d up.”

Hero: Eyes Like Night 

Joel DuQue's interpretation of "Eyes Like Night" inspired by Johannes Helgeson

Eyes Like Night was a Native American of the Navajo Tribe.  He was responsible for rescuing the Triad after they became lost and close to death in the Painted Desert. He brought them to his tribe where it was believed a medicine man performed the “Enemy Way Ceremony” and other healing rituals to restore their hozhò.  Eyes Like Night believed in the healing power of turquoise and wore a concho belt, bracelets and a necklace of turquoise and silver.  He also wore the skin of the puma as a sign of his victory over the “harbinger of death” which the puma represented to the Navajo.  He gave the members of the Triad gifts of turquoise to aid them on their journey and taught them how to survive in the desert.  It was rumored that Eyes Like Night was a friend of the coyote, rattlesnake and bison and as a result they would come to his aid.  He urged his animal friends to watch over Makoto as he journeyed in the desert.

A sheet of thumbnails and finish from Stephanie Cheyenne Barros

Villainess: Mai

Evil onmyōji kunoichi who was adept at ninjutsu, magic, divination and was rumored to summon and control shikigami to serve her.  Not much was known about Mai but she was either a member of the Chōshu clan or in its employ.  It was rumored that Mai traveled with Kuro to America as his concubine. It was also believed that she was instrumental in aiding Kuro but it was possible that even he didn’t known she was a kunoichi.

 

Creature: Shikigami

In order to prevent the Triad from continuing on the journey of vengeance, Mai conjured1000 fierce spirits known as Shikigami.  In order to control these spirits, she performed a ceremony, imprisoning each one in a paper manikin folded from enchanted parchment. The shikigami attacked the Navajo village but the Triad, assisted by Eyes Like Night, battled and defeated the miniature, paper army. However, the un-yielding Mai commanded the manikins to form the shape of a giant Oni wielding a kanabo.

Joel DuQue's "Oni" inspired by Ryan Jones.

“In order t’ lead the fierce Oni away from the Navajo village and prevent the possibile hurtin’ of an innocent, the Triad tore off into the desert.  The Oni was hot on their trail and many a fierce battle commenced.  The Triad, tuckered from their fleein‘ and all that battlin’, holed up in a canyon hopin’ and a’prayin’ that the hell spawnt creature o’ paper had runned arter steam.  Well, they couldn’t o’ been more wrong.  The Oni cornered ‘em in th’ canyons an’ a battle, so big and loud, took t’ commencin‘ that th’ Navajo villagers come t’ see if they c’uld help.  Well, them Navajo start a’dancin’ and chantin’.  Shur’nuff the clouds a’come rollin’ in, and the thunner and lightinin‘ come a’boomin’ and a’crackin‘. Th’ heavens part and such a rain come down that’d make ole Noah hisself git t’makin’ another Ark.  It didn’t take long for that paper monster t‘start gettin’ water-logged and sluggish.  An’ not long arter that, the whole creature jus’ collapsed into a big ole pile a’ mush thicker than a bowl o‘ gravy an oatmeal.  Th’ rains stopped almos’ as quickly as they come and one o’ the Navajo hiked down into th’ canyon t’ check on th’ Triad.  It were Eyes Like Night!  He’d come t’ help ‘em out ag’in.”

Prop: Janome (rain umbrella)

Mai’s umbrella had anŌzutsu (cannon) built into the handle used to launch fiery sparks as well as projectiles at a target.

 

“A White Bison is an extrem’ly import’nt symbol t’ th’ Navajo people. So, when a white bison appeart in th’ Navajo village arter th‘ arrival of th’ Triad, Eyes Like Night saw this as a good omen.  Th‘ white bison represented hope and that good things were a’comin’. As sech, the Triad were welcomed t’ stay in th’ village.  Howev’r, on th’ third night in th’ village, Makoto had a dream.  In th’ dream, the white bison turned into a beautiful girl.  She warnt him not t’ go lookin’ for vengeance and, that nuthin’ good could come out o’ killin’ an sech.  The next day he awoke t’ find that Anna an’ William had th’ same dream.  Makoto decided t’ press on just th’ same but William an’ Anna tried to convince him t’ stay in th‘ village and llive a life o’ peace an harmony with th’ land.  Makoto refused an’ set off on his own.  For two more nights he had th’ same dream.  When he woke from th’ dream he seen a plume o’ dust on th’ horizon an ‘efore long, a dark stagecoach drawn by four black horses.”

Chapter 7: Back on the Railroad: West Virginia 

“Unbeknownst t’ Makoto, there was more danger a’comin‘.  Not trustin’ in the supernat’ral trappin’s o’ Mai, Stuart Jackson decided he’d follow up in a good, ole nat’ral way - with a gun.  He sent one o’ his own bodyguards, ”Slap Leather” Adams out into the’ Painted Desert to make damn Makoto was put out t’ pasture fer good.Makoto knew he wus getting’ close t’ both Jackson an’ Yoshi based on th’ heat ‘at wus comin’ down on ‘m.  This fir’d him up t’ no end.  As sech, Slap Leather couldn’t withstand Makoto’s ‘ntensity, th’ ‘intensity o’ a man hellbent on revenge!

“Makoto was a fired-up knowin’ he was gittin’ closer n’ closer to findin’ Stuart Jackson cuz findin’ him, meant findin’ Yoshi.  He rode “Slap Leather” Adams’ fastest, blackest Morgan horse a name o’ “Justice.”  It seems fittin’ fer him t’ be ridin’ a horse with a name like ‘at considerin’ what he had t’accomplish n’ all.  In his last moments on th’ earth, Adams spilt his guts about th’ whereabouts o’ Jackson and Makoto was ridin’ like the Devil hisself was hot on his tail!”

“Makoto’s first stop was the Chesapeake RR where he’d find a man that ‘uld lead ‘m t’ Jackson.  This man was one o’ th’ foreman o’ th’ C&O RR Co. in West Virginia.”

 

Villain: Clay “Slap Leather” Adams 

A bison hunter, bounty hunter, contract killer and gun fighter hired by Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Jackson to assassinate Makoto.  Adams was a sharpshooter who perfected his shooting skills while killing bison for a hunting company.  Adams’ skill with a rifle brought him to the attention of a local sheriff.  His town had a substantially high violent crime rate so he hired Adams to help stem the violence and bring order.  The move was successful and lucrative and Adams’ reputation as a gunfighter began to grow.  Before long he was able work solely as a “gun for hire.” 

“Once ole Colonel Jackson caught wind o’ Makoto makin’ trouble and fixin’ to throw a wrench into his lil’ operation, he went right out and hired ”Slap Leather” Adams.  Adams’ reputation preceded hisself so it didn’t take much in the way o’ convincin‘ the ole Colonel to hire him on as bodyguard, assassin an’ all ‘round n’er-do-well.  Ye can’t be messin’ ‘round when there’s a tough-as-nails samurai, hell-bent on revenge comin’ for ye now kin ye?”

Hero: John-Henry Smith 

Smith was a freedman who worked on the Chesapeake Raiload for the C&O RR Co. in West Virginia.  Smith met Makoto in a shanty town outside a’ New River Gorge as he followed the railroad east in search of Stuart Jackson and Yoshi Arakawa.  Makoto was sympathetic to Smith’s experiences, working on the railroad, especially in light of his own experiences with the Ng family.  He aided him and his crew when the owner of the railroad bought a steam-powered drill.  This threatened the jobs of John- Henry and his crew.  Smith challenged the owner to a contest pitting himself and his crew against the drill.  Makoto joined John-Henry and, with the crew, beat the machine.  When it was learned that the owner of C&O RR was aiding Stuart Jackson in the transportation of Confederate arms, coal, cotton and gold, John-Henry joined forces with Makoto to put an end to the corruption. 

Kevin Kaufman's rendition of John Henry Smith inspired by Johannes Helgeson

Villain: Stuart Jackson

Jackson was a Confederate Army Cavalry lieutenant colonel and war profiteer responsible for smuggling arms, coal, cotton and gold.  He was the mastermind behind using the railroads to smuggle arms to the Pacific Northwest, namely the Springfield Model 1861 Rifle and selling them to emissaries of the anti-shogunate Mori Caln of Chōshu.  He hired Pinkerton agents to protect his smuggling interests and act as his personal bodyguards.  He cultivated a cavalier image which included wearing a red-lined gray cape, yellow sash, hat cocked to the side with a peacock feather and a red flower in his lapel.

“Ole Stuart Jackson was as evil as they come.  He gained alot o’ wealth during and arter the Civil War an’, most all o’ it, gained in despicable ways.  He used his rank n’ status t’ make connections with other evil-min’ed folks, especially in th’ railroad buisness an‘ th’ Pinkerton Detective Agency.  His diabolic‘l reach even stretched all’a way to th’ Pacific where he learnt ‘bout Japan from his partners in the whalin’ industry.  From th’ sound o’ it, Japan was in a kind‘a Civil War o’ their own an’ wherever there was a chance for Jackson t’ make a buck off th’ pain n’ sufferin’ o’ others he would take it.  He took a trip ‘r two o’er there makin’ contact with a clan o’ folks ‘at want some o’ th’ firepow’r he cou’d git ‘em.”  During this time he met Yoshi Arakawa who returned to th’ states with ‘m to learn more ’bout western culture an’ warfare but mainly to protect the clan’s int’rests abroad.”

 

 

 

 

Mike Hall's version of Stuart Jackson inspired by Nick Carver

Creature: Nogitsune

“Weirdest thing ye ev‘r did see, ole Jackson had a pet fox!  If that wern’t enuff, the fox had two tails!”

“Story goes, Jackson was afeared for his life once he done realized that Makoto was gettin’ closer ‘n closer to Virginia and him!  So, Yoshi give him a gift of a fox.  Who gives someone, afeared for his life, a fox you might ask?  Well, it appears this weren’t no ordin’ry fox, that it had supernat’ral powers o’ some sort and that Yoshi culd control it cuz he had the foxes soul trapped in some magic ball.  He gave this here ball to Jackson so he culd control it kinda like a guard dog, er fox.  Some ‘d say this here fox culd change it’s shape, even change into a person but that y’d be able to spot it cuz it’d still have it’s tails.  Ye culd say that this here fox culd posess th’ souls o‘ the livin’, make balls o’ fire that it culd throw at it’s enemies and torment good folk with terrifyin’ visions or lead them astray kind o’ like a will o’ th’ wisp.” 


“Makoto did event’ally find Stuart Jackson.  Their battle wus a short one on account as Jackson wus so nervous he dropp’d the magic ball ‘at held the nogitsune’s soul.  Th’ nogitsune snatch’d it right up.  No longer bound t’ neither Jackson nor Yoshi, it disappeart inta thin air!  This sent Jackson a’ runnin’ fer his life an’ towards Chesepeake Bay, towards Yoshi!  Knowin’ ‘at Jackson had led Makoto straight to ‘m, Yoshi kill’d Jackson wit a swift blow from his axe.  Th’ end o’ ‘at basterd Jackson an’ th’ beginnin’ o’ th’ end fer either Makoto or Kuro!

Kevin Kaufman's Nogitsune

 

Steam Powered Hammer:

After John-Henry Smith set the challenge, pitting him and his crew against the Steam-Powered Drill, the owner of the C&O RR CO. hired some ruffians to keep him from leading his crew.  The ruffians attacked Smith, breaking his arm before Makotocould come to his aid.  In order to meet the challenge, Smith was outfitted with a 20lb steam powered hammer connected to his broken arm.

 

Machinery: Steam Assisted Stagecoach

“Slap Leather” Adams’ skill with a gun did much to earn him a helluva reputation, not to mention a fair amount o’ loot too!  His was an ornery perfession with a fair ‘amount o’ travellin’ t’do.  As sech, he outfitted hisself with a stagecoach ‘at was tougher ‘n hell and as elegant t’ boot.  Sure, it was drawn by four o’ the swiftest, blackest Morgan horses ye ev’r did see, but it also had some o’ that new-fangled, steam power t’ give it a boost ev’ry now an ag‘in.  With a reputation like Adams’ yer bound to have some enemies and there’s no sense in takin’ risks with a perfession like ‘at.  So that ole coach was more secure than a bank vault, with led and metal and what not - bullet-proof ye might say.  The coach’s wheels were as thick as my gran’mammies stew and I heared it had more gadgets an’ gizmos an‘ weap’nry than Fort Sumter! Hell, that’s what it was, a fort on wheels!”

Steam Powered Exo-Skeleton:

 The owner of the C&O RR Co. was a proud man.  His feathers were ruffled and he vowed to break the spirits of John-Henry and crew.  He plotted to sabotage the race, hiring some ruffians from the Pinkerton National Detective Agency to prevent John-Henry from leading his crew.  The ruffians attacked Smith, breaking his right arm and collarbone, some ribs and his left hand.  Undaunted, Smith enlisted the help of his crew to assist him in building a makeshift harness and support that would both set his broken bones and amplify the strength he had left in them. 

“Th’crew, with th’ help o’ Makoto, collected various pieces o’ scrap, includin’ railroad ties, sprockets an’ all sorts o’ contraptions as ye might find layin’ around the railroad yard.  They welded all this togeth’r.  What they done-did is t’ create an exo-skeleton that ‘uld allow John-Henry t’ move his arms, carry th’ weight of a mighty, steam-powered hammer in one hand an’ a Gatlin’ gun in th’ other.  If that weren’t enough, he had th’ strength a’ ten men!”

 

Chapter 8: Vengeance is Mine: Cheasapeke Bay

“After a pursuit ‘at lasted yearly a year, Makoto and Kuro ’uld finally meet.  No words were exchang’d, each knowin’ what must be done so they got right t’ fightin’.  And one helluva fight it was!”

Villain: Yoshi Arakawa a.k.a Kuronoshi or Kuro:

Friend and dojo-mate to Akihito Toyotomi and pupil of Hiroshi Ishida.  Former high-ranking Shisengumi member and conspirator, traitor and murderer of Hiroshi Ishida.  Hired himself out to the Mori Clan of Chōshu as a bodyguard, assassin and spy with three other former Shinsengumi co-conspirators.  Once arriving in Chōshu, Yoshi changed his name to Kuronoshi after the villain of a Kabuki Theatre Dance. He also neglected his daishō (Katana and Wakizashi sword combination) in favor of a huge axe decorated with flames called “spirit fires.” It was said that he adopted this weapon in honor of his new namesake. Rumor had it that he also changed the Mountain Symbols of his Shinsengumi haori into some sort of flame-like symbol.  He also adopted a further “Kabuki” component in his appearance using kumadori – kabuki style stage make-up consisting of brightly colored stripes or patterns over a white foundation. Kuro was often observed with a design of black beard, purple veins, and dark blue antler-like eyebrows.

Machinery: Ironclad “CSS Scorpio:”

“ Stuart Jackson wasn’t satisfied wit sellin’ jest canons an’ rifles.  He had ev’ry intention o’ sellin’ de-commsision’d Ironclads to the Mori Clan from Chosho.  Hethought he culd improve upon th’ design wit his own hair-brained ideas though.  In this case he wanted t’ make th’ ironclad ”amphibious.”  Meanin’ it culd go on land an’ in th’ water!  Jackson’s Ironclad was steam-powered, with iron armored plates, a big ole batterin’ ram, cannon, Gatlin’ guns an even these new-fangled weap’ns a’called torpedos.  What it seems Jackson had done is have a set o’ pedrail wheels mounted to th’ bottom sides o’ th’ Scorpio.  No one know’d if th’ damn things work’d tho as th’ Scorpio was never seen a movin’ until th’ day it’s steam engines fir’d up an’ carried th’ battlin’ Makoto an’ Kuro out into Chesepeake Bay, caught fire and sunk.”

“Yep, Makoto’s journey o’ vengenace took him round ‘bout a year.  Legend says his sword wus ninety-nine years old an’ by th’ time his journey near come to an end ‘at sword were a hunerd.  What shuld that matter t’ any o’ us you ask?  Well, it don’t matter none t’ us but on ‘at day, th’ day o’ that epic battle, it sure meant a helluva lot t’ Makoto an’ Kuro.  It was on ‘at day, th’ hunerd birthday o’ Makoto’s sword, ‘at witnesses say th’ sword come t’ life.  Makoto an’ Kuro were a’fightin’ on th’ deck o’ ‘at Ironclad when Kuro swung his mighty axe an’ took th’ legs right out from un’er Makoto sendin’ his swords a‘ flyin’.  Makoto’s wakizashi done fell clear into th’ water an’ his Katana was outta reach BUT th’ strangest thing happened.  Th’ Katana sprouted an eye an’ a foot an’ hopped back t’ Makoto!”

“Anyone watchin’ th’ epic battle ‘tween Makoto and Kuro claims they seen a ghostly lookin‘ wolf or dog’ leap onto Kuro as he was tryin’ t’ land th’ deathblow t’ poor Makoto.  This here ‘ghost dog’ bought Makoto jus’ enough time t‘ recover an’ slice Kuro’s head clean off sendin’ a geyser o’ blood some hunerd feet in th’ air.  All that blood in the air come down t’ the water an th’ Chesepeake Bay sharks come a’callin’ in droves.  Kuro’s body tumbled off th’ side o’ the Ironclad into them shark infested waters an’ was teared t’ pieces in a matter o’ seconds.  A fittin’ end for a villain like ‘at.”

Chapter 9: The End

“Well, th’ ironclad continued t’ drift furth’r out into th’ bay.  It was on fire an’ sinkin’ fast.  I told ye it weren’t gonna end well fer Makoto regardless if’n he got revenge ‘r not.  If ye was there ‘at day though, ye prolly seen ‘nother ‘mazin’ sight.  Makoto had t’ commit hari-kiri now ‘at his misson wus done.  He know’d he’d have t’ considerin’ he abandon’d th’ Shinsengumi t’ track Kuro ‘n his bunch an’ he wus a man o’ his word, an honor’ble man.  Now ev’ry samurai ‘uld love t’ have a ‘second,’ a friend who’d take yer head clean off an spare ye th’ pain an agony ‘at comes wit ritual suicide.  On ‘at day, th’ day Makoto got revenge fer his murder’d friend an’ mentor, he did have a ‘second.’  If ye were standin’ on th’ shore o’ Chesepeake Bay, an’ look’d close enough you’d o’ seen Makoto performin’ th’ ritual an’ a ghostly figure a’ standin’ next t’ him.  It wus Makoto’s ‘second.’  It wus th’ Ghost o’ Hiroshi Ishida!”

“The ironclad sunk beneath th’ waves.  Ain’t no one tried t’ recov’r it an’ I hope no one will.  It’s th’ final restin’ place o’ a good an’ ‘onorable man, Akihito Toyotomi.  T’ this day, fishermen who ketch blue crab outta th’ bay will sometimes find a crab ‘at has a mark on th’ shell ‘at kinda look like th’ kanji symbol o’ Makoto.  I tell ‘m t’ throw it back an’ when they ask me why, I tell ‘m th’ story.  If I tell it enough mebbe his legend, th’ legend o’ Makoto ‘uld live ferev’r!”