Tale of Ronin

An ink-style artwork off a woman standing with a slightly creepy grin. This depicts the Warai-Onna yokai from Japanese Mythology.

Warai-Onna: Japan’s Dangerous Laughing Spirit

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 …

Warai-Onna: Japan’s Dangerous Laughing Spirit Read More »

A detailed piece of artwork showing a smugglers shop with the shopkeep standing in front. The room is cluttered with different Edo-period artifacts, relics, and armor. The shopkeep, or smuggler, has a monocle and wears a purple robe with multiple coin purses on his belt.

The Making of a Smuggler’s Shop: Tale of Ronin’s Artistic Process

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 »

An image of a Usagi Yojimbo Saga comic by Stand Sakai

Usagi Yojimbo: Stan Sakai’s Portrait of Life as a Ronin

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 Purple Robe Incident: the Shogunate vs the Imperial Court

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 »

An ink style digital artwork of multiple Japanese military men riding horses and holding their katana's above their heads. One notable man has a unique helmet that represents his role as the Shogun.

The Shogun: Japan’s Military Takeover

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 …

The Shogun: Japan’s Military Takeover Read More »

An ink style digital artwork of a woman in robes standing in front of a Japanese style temple or building.

Miko: Japanese Shrine Maidens

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 …

Miko: Japanese Shrine Maidens Read More »

Izanami and Izanagi: Shinto’s Creation Story

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 …

Izanami and Izanagi: Shinto’s Creation Story Read More »