HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SAMURAI SPIRITS CHARACTERS

Many of the characters in Samurai Spirits are based on historical
or fictional characters. However, it is important to realize that
these are historical figures seen through the lens of popular culture.
Many legends have been woven around the Yagyu clan. Hattori Hanzo
is considered the archtypal ninja in Japan, and consequently his life
has probably been greatly embellished. Similarly, Musashi is regarded
as the archtypal samurai or kensei. In this case, the popular image
of Musashi in modern Japan has been shaped by Eiji Yoshikawa's book
Musashi, which is a sort of "fictional biography" of his life. Hence,
the game designers probably based many of their characters on their
knowledge of famous fighters in Japanese popular culture.


Haohmaru--Based on Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), the classic model 
of the samurai. Musashi was a ronin when he was young, roaming 
the countryside and testing his skill against various opponents. 
(sounds familiar...) His religion was The Way of the Sword, in
which he hoped to gain enlightenment through perfect mental
control and physical skill. (like arcade players today :-)
This goal came at the expense of everything else, even love
(this sorta explains Haohmaru's ending...) and personal 
appearance (which explains Haohmaru's haircut). Musashi developed
the fighting technique of using two swords at once (although
Haohmaru only has one). He also eventually became a samurai of the
Hasokawa daiymo, which had previously employed his rival Genryu
earlier. Despite his famous martial prowess, Musashi gradually came
to believe that enlightenment could also be achieved through the arts
as well, and became a notable painter and woodsculptor. He left a
famous book on the art of swordfighting, "The Book of Five Rings",
that (curiously enough) has been used to advise businessmen today how
to become better competitors!
SS2--Musashi (at least according to Yoshikawa) did have a Zen Buddhist
monk as a mentor during his early years named Takuan Soho (also a real
person--there's a pickle named after him!). This could be the basis of
Nicotine, although Takuan did not puff joints, drink coffee, or throw
talismans around...

Tachibana Ukyo--Based on Sasaki Kojiro Genryu (?--1612), Musashi's
skilled rival. Genryu wielded a VERY long sword called the "Drying
Pole". He was reputed to be the most skilled swordsman around, and
could slice swallows in mid-air, according to Yoshikawa. The preface
to the Book of Five Rings says that he developed a sword technique
inspired by the movement of a swallow's tail in flight. This is the
basis of Ukyo's "swoop swallow slice". Genryu even named the school
of swordsmanship he founded Tsumabe Gaeshi.
Nevertheless, during their duel Musashi killed him in one blow (two,
according to some accounts). Just like Ukyo and Haohmaru, Musashi and
Genryu fought on an isle off of the coast of Japan, and Musashi showed 
up late for the duel as a psychological tactic (this could explain
why Ukyo and Haohmaru are at the same place, but totally different
times). After he defeated Genryu, the island was renamed Genryu Isle
("Gairyu Isle"), although it's actually by Shimonoseki. Note that this
was Musashi's most famous duel, and is pretty much a cultural reference
in Japan.
Incidentally, in the book Musashi, Genryu comes off as a totally
selfish and arrogant bastard. Unlike Ukyo, he's not a womanizer
either. And he doesn't face away from his opponents, with his
sword in his scabbard. AND he doesn't have blue hair :-) 
SS2--As for Ukyo having tuberculosis, Genryu never came down with it.
He didn't live long enough.

Yagyu Jubei--The Yagyus were a famous line of samurai. Yagyu
Muneyoshi was a samurai renown for his skill with the sword and
his general samurai prowness. His son, Yagyu Munenori became
the personal sword instructor of the Tokugawa shoguns. The son
of Munenori was Yagyu Jubei Mitsuyoshi, who also started out as
the shogun's sword instructor but was dismissed for unclear 
reasons. It was rumored that this was actually a cover for Jubei
to go on covert missions for the shogun or the emperor. (hence
his nickname in SS, "The Emperor's Secret Servant") Because of 
this, popular legend holds that that Jubei actually became sort
of a samurai-ninja. He is often depicted with an eyepatch, said
to be the result of a childhood punishment.
Nothing said about Jubei using two swords, although Musashi was
said to have introduced this technique.
Interestingly, in the book Musashi, Yagyu Muneyoshi had retired
from his castle, and lived in seclusion in a small house nestled
in a bamboo grove behind it! Perhaps Jubei inherited his
grandfather's hideaway?

Hattori Hanzo (1541-1596)--He actually existed, and was the most
famous of the ninjas of Iga (Iga province has been connected with
ninja activities throughout history). The Hattori ninjas fought for
Ieyasu Tokugawa in his quest to reunite Japan. 
He had a son, but I found nothing suggesting anything tragic
befell him. His son's name was _not_ Amakusa, it was Hattori Masanari.

Wan Fu--OK, I have two possibilities about the background of this
character.
The first comes from Frederick Lee, who says that Wan Fu is based
on a swordsman during the Ch'ing dynasty called Wan Wu. He was an
anti-Ch'ing warrior with a big sword; people called him "Big Scimitar
Wan Wu". He's been turned into a folk hero by the Chinese, who
supposedly protected the weak. This sounds really promising, but so
far I've been unable to follow up on this lead. If anyone can give me
any books that mention this guy, please contact me!
The second lead bases Wan Fu upon the ancient, almost legendary,
founder of the Chou Dynasty, King Wu Wang. At this time (1100 B.C.)
China was a fragmented country of kingdoms and kings. King Wu became
famous for his martial prowess when he conquered the rival Sheng
Kingdom and incorporated it into the Kingdom of the Chou. He moved the
capital of his kingdom to Hao, now called Sian. There is evidence that
King Wu wanted to unify all of known China, but he died before that
could be accomplished. Confucious cites him as an example of a strong
and virtuous king. Note that Wu is his FIRST name--in Japanese style,
it would be "Wang Wu." Hmmm...
It might be that Wan Fu is based upon both these figures. Evidence for
Wan Wu include the fact that he wielded a big sword and he lived during
the time period of SS. Evidence for King Wu include the fact that he was
king of Sian and a military conqueror. It also explains the historical
discrepancy of "King" Wan Fu (during the time period of SS, China was
unified under the Ch'ing dynasty so Wan Fu can't be a king).
SS2--the short blurb about Wan Fu says that he is destined to unify all
of China, which furthers the incongruity with the SS time period and
offers more support to the "King Wu" theory, as King Wu also wanted to
unify China.

Senryo Kyoshiro--Getting info on this guy was a real pain, mainly
because almost all English books on Japan focus on economics, politics,
and so forth and very little on popular culture. No wonder academics
are considered out of touch...
OK, silly gripes aside... Kyoshiro is based on a fictional character
named Nemuri Kyoshiro. "Sleepy-Eyed Kyoshiro, Notes on Villany," by
Renzaburo Shibata was a novel serialized in a post-war magazine and
later made into a TV series. Kyoshiro was a skilled swordsman, but was
also an eccentric outcast and a womanizer. I found nothing that said he
was an actor but the information I have on him is limited. If anyone
knows of any English books that mention this guy (most likely something
covering old Japanese TV shows) please tell me!
Note that Kyoshiro is in the Kabuki costume of a lion, which is why
he has such long red hair. Also note that fans are an essential part of
Kabuki theater, and used in dances and such.

Charlotte--In 1972, Riyoko Ikeda wrote a famous manga (Japanese
comic) series called The Rose of Versailles. It concerned the various
dealings in Versailles right before the French Revolution. The main
(fictional) character was Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, an aristocratic
woman who wore men's clothing and a sword, and became the head of the
guard at Versailles. Despite her background, she later turned on her
employers and joined the French Revolution. Note that Charlotte throws
a rose every time after winning a fight.
SS2--Charlotte throws roses again. Also in her scene, the carpet has
a giant rose on it and there are bowls of roses at the ends of the hall.
And she's still at Versailles. "Rose of Versailles." Hmmm...

Amakuza Shiro (1622-1638)--also known as Masuda Shiro Tokisada. He led a
Christian-inspired uprising in the Shimabara region of Japan. His father
(Masuda Jimboye Yoshitsugu) was, ironically enough, a samurai. Heavy
taxation and persecution caused the peasants and ronin of the Shimabara
region to revolt, the last challenge to Tokugawa authority until the
opening of Japan in 1868. Amakuza became their charismatic leader, and
they gave him such titles as "Heavenly Master" (his nickname in SS is
"The Child of God"), which is of course unorthodox, at least to European
Christianity. The rebellion was eventually crushed, although Amakuza's
body was never recovered. Note that a lot of Amakuza's quotes make sense
once you consider his background...


The following characters probably don't have a historical basis:

Galford--One, San Francisco did not exist during the time of SS. Second,
there were of course no ninjas in America at that time. He could be based
on a fictional character, however. Suggestions, anyone?

Earthquake--Texas also did not exist at this time, and he's an
anachronistic ninja too, as his nickname says. Musashi did fight a person
skilled with a Nage Gama named Shishido Baikin, who was also portrayed
as somewhat of a roguish character. But that's probably it as far as
background goes.

Gen-An--Well, first it was suggested he was a Tengu. Then it was
suggested he was an Oni. So what is he? I think he's a cross between
Blanka and Vega, myself...

Nienhalt Sieger--As many people have pointed out, his name is sort of a
joke. It means "No Halt Victory." I doubt he was a real person. He could
based on a fiction character, however. If you know something, contact
me...
Historically, Sieger would be a Teutonic Knight, the Prussian order of
knights. Don't know if their symbol is a lion, though.

Tam-Tam--The FAQ states the inconsistencies pretty clearly. Tam-Tam
supposedly is Incan but: 1) Quetzacoatl is an Aztec god, 2) the Incans
didn't have steel, 3) he looks like a Maori from New Zealand, 4) his
dress looks Aztecan.

Cham-Cham--To my knowledge, boomerangs were not found in the New World.
Paku-Paku also looks like a chimpanzee, which are not found in the New
World either. And of course, there's her hair....


Sources Unknown:

Nakoruru--Perhaps she is based on a manga/anime character? Suggestions,
anyone?
Nakoruru wears the traditional dress of the Ainu, as does her family.

Genjuro--TAPFAQ says he might be based on Musashi's childhood friend,
Matahachi. However, in the book Musashi, Matahachi was a total failure as
a samurai and a warrior (sort of an "anti-Musashi"), so I'm not so sure.
As for the historical Matahachi, there isn't one--he's a fictional
character made up by Yoshikawa.
Perhaps Genjuro's a totally made-up character, although the whole thing
with the frog suggests that he might be based on a Japanese folk-tale or
something like that.

Mizuki--No idea. She kind of looks like Sakura from Urusei Yatsura,
though. Same appearance, same dress, and they're both Shinto priestesses.
Note that the weapon she uses is a tamagushi, which is used as a
purification device in Shinto rituals, although it isn't nearly as
dangerous a weapon in real life.


Kuroko--Koroko are an essential part of Kabuki. They are best described
as a cross between a stagehand and a personal assistant to the actors.
Their many tasks include adding or removing props when needed, wiping
persperation off of an actor's face or bringing him water, assisting
an actor in changing a costume while on-stage (!), and other necessary
tasks to ensure a Kabuki performance runs smoothly. They are dressed in
black so as not to be seen (traditional backgrounds were often dark so
they blended in) and wore a black flap over their face to signify that
they were not "real" people in the play. They did their work as quietly
and quickly as possible, so as not to be noticed.


Anyone who has any info they would like to add, please tell me! 

Sources: Ninja, the True Story of Japan's Secret Warrior Cult
          by Stephen Turnbull
         Samurai, the Story of a Warrior Tradition
          by Harry Cook
         The Heart of the Warrior
          by Catharina Blomberg
         Musashi
          by Eiji Yoshikawa
         The Book of Five Rings
          by Miyamoto Musashi (introduction: Victor Harris)
         China's Imperial History
          by Charles O. Hucker
         Manga! Manga! The Story of Japanese Comics 
          by Frederik L. Shodt
         The Kabuki Theatre
          by Earle Ernst
         Totally Obnoxious Notes to Urusei Yatsura, vol. 15
          by Animiego
         The SS FAQ
          by Mark Maestas and Ewan Ng
         Shawn Holmes
         Frederick Lee
         Galen Komatsu

--Scott Fujimoto