In conjunction with Year of the Rabbit: Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo, the National Museum is organizing the "Year of the Labbit Custom Show" from July 14 until September 11. He will speak, give a demonstration and sign copies of his latest book, Usagi Yojimbo Volume 25: Fox Hunt, which will be available for purchase at the Museum store. Stan Sakai will make a special appearance at the opening of the exhibition on Saturday, July 9, beginning at 2 p.m. Media sponsors include Dark Horse Comics, KSCI LA 18 and the Rafu Shimpo. This show was made possible by its Premier Sponsor Daruma, with additional support from The James Irvine Foundation and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. The exhibition will contain every Usagi Yojimbo comic book ever published. There are short interviews with Stan’s colleagues, including Sergio Aragones (Mad Magazine). The documentary follows Stan as he interacts with his fans, some who traveled from as faraway as South America. Once, a mother asked me, 'What is Usagi Yojimbo about?' and before I could answer, her son said, 'It’s about honor.' " Usagi Yojimbo’s comic books include 25 volumes and Sakai remains the sole owner and writer of his comic book, currently published by Dark Horse Comics and Fantagraphics Books.īesides the original artwork on display, the exhibition will include fun features, including a new short documentary that follows Stan Sakai during his participation at the popular Comic Con and a life-size cutout of Usagi Yojimbo for photographs. In putting his comic book creation into perspective, Sakai explained, "In the scheme of things, what I do isn’t that important, but I enjoy it and so do many others. Another important aspect, Sakai revealed, is "I don’t write down to kids." "Instead of (legendary Japanese warrior) Miyamoto Musashi, he became Miyamoto Usagi." More than just an adventure series, Usagi Yojimbo gained worldwide interest as Sakai diligently researched his stories about Japan in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. "Basically, one day I just drew a rabbit, tied up his ears to make a samurai top-knot, and fell in love with the design," he recalled. In 1984, Stan Sakai, a sansei (3rd generation Japanese American) artist raised in Hawai`i who enjoyed watching Japanese samurai movies, wanted to develop a comic book set in historic feudal Japan. When Empire Magazine listed the greatest comic book characters of all time, Usagi Yojimbo placed 31st, ahead of Green Lantern, Daredevil and Hellboy and on an elite list with Superman, Batman, Wolverine and Spider Man. Sakai’s samurai rabbit has become internationally famous since its inception 27 years ago, with his comic books translated into a dozen languages. Premiere Sponsor for the exhibition is Daruma. The Japanese American National Museum will premiere its latest exhibition, Year of the Rabbit: Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo, on Saturday, July 9, featuring original art of the iconic comic book character and a new documentary on cartoonist Stan Sakai.
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