This is what I used as reference to create the characters & story. PLEASE read this page before reading the manga, it’s very important. I wrote this page to help you understand what helped inspire/create the characters & story.
[edited July 9th, 08: added story info.]-
The story is heavily influenced from traditional Japanese folklore, very little- if at all, is based on actual historical events. It takes place in a mythical world where supernatural creatures reside…since researching mythology is my specialty. The period is influenced from Heian Era & Feudal Era (Sengoku Jidai), a mix of the two kinda.
BOOKS AS REFERENCE -The Book of Five Rings, The Classic Text of Samurai Sword Strategy, by Miyamoto Musashi-Chinese Fairy Tales and Fantasies, by Moss Roberts
-Dancing with Dragons: Invoke Their Ageless Wisdom & Power, by D.J. Conway
-Dragons and Unicorns: A Natural History, by Paul Johnsgard and Karin Johnsgard
-Dragonlore: From the Archives of the Grey School of Wizardry, by Ashley Dekirk and Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
-Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth, by Carol Rose
-Art of the Japanese Masters
-Samurai Leaders, by Michael Sharpe
-The Practical Encyclopedia of Martial Arts, by Fay Goodman
-Japanese Design Motifs, by Matsuya Company
-Myths and Legends of Japan, by F. Hadland Davis
-Myths and Legends of China, by E. T. C. Werner
-Ninja: The Shadow Warrior, by Joel Levy
-Obake Magazine special
-Youkai Encyclopedia
-Bakemono of Japanese Folklore
-Tibetan Book of the Dead
-Samurai: Arms, Armor, Costume, by Mitsuo Kure
-Samurai And Ninja Action Scene Collection (How to Draw Manga), by Home Room
-How To Draw Manga Costume Encyclopedia Volume 4: Kimono And Gowns , by Hikaru Hayashi and Kimiko Morimoto
-Weapons & Fighting Techniques of the Samurai Warrior, by Thomas Conlan
-The Samurai the Philosophy of Victory, by Robert T. Samuel
-Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai, by A. B. Mitford
-Everyday Life in Traditional Japan, by Charles J. Dunn and Laurence Broderick
-絵巻妖怪
-Mythological Creatures; A Pictorial Dictionary, by Sedgewick (Holt Rinheart Winston)
-Kitsune Japan’s Fox of Mystery, Romance & Humor, by Kiyoshi Nozaki (The Hokuseido Press)
-Hokusai prints
-Hiroshige prints
SomeiYoshino’s design was completly inspired, if not even exactly like the woman pictured above (Fay Goodman). Her outfit comes directly from Iatio martial arts uniform, consisting of: kimono, juban, unamori-hakama, tabi & zori.. For more information about Ronin, please read this article: Ronin
Kagekiri’s true demon form is that of the Tengu- a creature of Japanese myth.
There are different variations of this creature: Karasu-tengu, Konoha-tengu, Ko-
tengu, Konsha-tengu & Daitengu. They are said to be incredible swordsmen &
live in the mountains, far from humans. Tengu aren’t evil, but mischievous, had
moral purpose & often in comical stories because their so gullible.
To read more about tengu, please read this article: Tengu
Tengu are shape shifters & are seen in these forms: (1) a normal human (2)
human with an unnaturally long nose (3) human with black crow wings (4) half
human/half crow hybrid (5) a normal crow (which is rare)
Takemaru, Arashi is based directly off of the strongest swordsman that ever lived- Musashi, Minamoto the undefeated bushi. For more information about who he is, please read this article: Miyamoto Musashi
[reference photograph not available]
Akatsuki is based off of someone I personally know.
Shizen is based off of the famous kitsune- Japanese Fox. Famous for their various types of magic including transformation, bewitching & spiting kitsune-bi (fox fire). They can change into a human form, however it is never perfect. Either their tail or ears appear in their human guise. One can tell a kitsune in human form by peering at their reflection in the water, and a foxes tail shows! Kitsune despises dogs. Shizen has all of these traits, many have yet to be seen. For more information, please read this article: Kitsune
04/13/2009 at 6:25 am
I wrote this page rather recently, so I had writen a post before this page was made.
07/16/2009 at 7:28 pm
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that I have really liked reading your blog posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
09/02/2009 at 12:09 am
Cool site, love the info.
09/06/2009 at 9:04 pm
Excellent site, keep up the good work
09/07/2009 at 6:04 am
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09/30/2009 at 3:28 am
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10/05/2009 at 4:01 am
Hello. Great job. I did not expect this on a Wednesday. This is a great story. Thanks!
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10/10/2009 at 12:36 am
I usually don’t post on Blogs but ya forced me to, great info.. excellent! … I’ll add a backlink and bookmark your site.
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