Todd Kiyoshi Tanaka
06/13/09 02:29 Filed in: Fan Letter
Dear Stan Sakai,
How can I put into words the affect you have had upon me through your Usagi
Yojimbo creation, story telling, and artistry throughout the years?
Collecting comics as a young child, I was naturally drawn to the usual
superheroes dawning red and blue web tights, clad in gold and red metal
armored suits, even teams of superheroes, each with distinctively different
special powers and dressed in blue tights with the number 4 on their
chests'. Many moons and many years passed as though I was a cloud in a time
lapse film clip, and now posed with life decisions of whether to pursue
pre-med, international business, or what was really in my heart, art
furniture.
At about this time, I discovered this endearing ronin rabbit and
have always kept him close to my heart. I began collecting everything Usagi
Yojimbo. The content and emotion gripped me in a very healthy way. It was
so pure, captivating and refreshing. The fact that a black and white comic
could have moved me so much and kept my attention and interest to keep
coming back for more speaks for the essence of quality story telling and
amazing imagery.
When a comic book can make you hungry, you know it is being done well. Ummmm...I could live on Musubi and Ochasuke! Growing up with those foods, and seeing them inked in a comic book, really hit home.
Again, it is very difficult to put into words, the feeling I get simply
mentioning the name Usagi Yojimbo and reminiscing with my younger sister
(her middle name Tomie) about the episodes of Usagi Yojimbo we experienced
back in the 80's. Thank you Stan Sakai for all you have done for the world
and the wonderful impact you have had upon my more trying years. Now, 40
years of age and a business owner, I still get that special feeling when
talking about the one and only Usagi Yojimbo.
Peace, Harmony, and My Deepest Gratitude,
Todd Kiyoshi Tanaka
How can I put into words the affect you have had upon me through your Usagi
Yojimbo creation, story telling, and artistry throughout the years?
Collecting comics as a young child, I was naturally drawn to the usual
superheroes dawning red and blue web tights, clad in gold and red metal
armored suits, even teams of superheroes, each with distinctively different
special powers and dressed in blue tights with the number 4 on their
chests'. Many moons and many years passed as though I was a cloud in a time
lapse film clip, and now posed with life decisions of whether to pursue
pre-med, international business, or what was really in my heart, art
furniture.
At about this time, I discovered this endearing ronin rabbit and
have always kept him close to my heart. I began collecting everything Usagi
Yojimbo. The content and emotion gripped me in a very healthy way. It was
so pure, captivating and refreshing. The fact that a black and white comic
could have moved me so much and kept my attention and interest to keep
coming back for more speaks for the essence of quality story telling and
amazing imagery.
When a comic book can make you hungry, you know it is being done well. Ummmm...I could live on Musubi and Ochasuke! Growing up with those foods, and seeing them inked in a comic book, really hit home.
Again, it is very difficult to put into words, the feeling I get simply
mentioning the name Usagi Yojimbo and reminiscing with my younger sister
(her middle name Tomie) about the episodes of Usagi Yojimbo we experienced
back in the 80's. Thank you Stan Sakai for all you have done for the world
and the wonderful impact you have had upon my more trying years. Now, 40
years of age and a business owner, I still get that special feeling when
talking about the one and only Usagi Yojimbo.
Peace, Harmony, and My Deepest Gratitude,
Todd Kiyoshi Tanaka