Yagyu Jubei Mitsuyoshi was a samurai who lived in Japan’s Edo period. He lived from 1607 to April 21, 1650, and is often depicted in modern and contemporary accounts with a single eye. It’s unknown how he lost the eye, or if he actually did. In fact, very little is known about his life for …
Japanese mythology is filled with mysterious and enchanting yokai—spirits, monsters, deities, and unexplained phenomena. Some yokai are more dangerous than others. Despite their unintimidating name, the warai-onna, which literally translates to “laughing woman”, are among the deadliest. Warai-onna are found in the mountains, where woodcutters and travelers supposedly hear them cackling after dark. They take …
Tale of Ronin is a narrative-driven RPG, but the visuals also play a key role in establishing the world and atmosphere of the game. This is especially true for the real-life locations players can visit. Edo period Japan is well-documented, so keeping the environments and villages realistic is important to our team. One location available …
The Making of a Smuggler’s Shop: Tale of Ronin’s Artistic Process Read More »
One of the main pillars of Tale of Ronin’s game design is freedom. A ronin, a masterless samurai, is free to do whatever they desire. This is in stark contrast to a samurai retainer, whose choices are often extremely limited by the wishes of their master. Many design elements are intended to simulate freedom. Players …
Usagi Yojimbo, sometimes translated as Rabbit Bodyguard, is one of the longest-running comics to be written and drawn by a single person. Miyamoto Usagi is a ronin wandering through early Edo period Japan after the death of his lord. His journey leads him across the islands, where he meets—and fights—all manner of people. But wherever …
Usagi Yojimbo: Stan Sakai’s Portrait of Life as a Ronin Read More »
The Imperial Court of Japan lost most of its authority during the Warring States period. When Japan was unified under the Tokugawa Shogunate, the bakufu took steps to consolidate power. One threat it sought to address was the power of Buddhist temples. In 1627, the Emperor’s historical relationship with Buddhist temples brought the Imperial Court …
The Purple Robe Incident: the Shogunate vs the Imperial Court Read More »
The word “Shogun” comes from the Japanese word “Seii Taishogun”, which roughly translates to “barbarian-quelling general”. These military dictators reigned over Japan from 1192 to 1868. Historically, the Shogun was legally under the control of the Emperor and had limited authority over the military forces in Japan. However, due to the increasingly feudal development of …
Miyamoto Musashi is perhaps the most famous swordsman in Japanese history. He is still revered as a master of martial arts. Musashi wrote “The Book of Five Rings,” a classic text on kenjutsu, martial arts, strategy, and philosophy, which is still in print over 400 years later. Born in 1584, Musashi showed a talent for …
A miko, also known as a shrine maiden, is a woman who serves the Shinto kami. Their origins date back to the prehistoric Jomon period (approximately 10,500 BCE-300 BCE) in Japan. The responsibilities and requirements to become a miko have gone through many changes over the years. However, their traditional red hakama, white kosode, and …
Most belief systems have a creation myth, and Shinto, Japan’s native belief system, is no exception. The Shinto creation myth focuses on Izanami-no-Mikoto and Izanagi-no-Mikoto, a pair of brother and sister kami who appeared after heaven and earth separated from chaos. They created the Japanese islands using a jeweled spear to stir the ocean. Izanami …