Samurai Executioner Recommended

Publisher
Dark Horse
Writer
Kazuo Koike
Artist
Goseki Kojima
Country of origin
Japan
Year
1967

Samurai Executioner V. 10

By David Rasmussen
23rd Jul 06

“Punished is not the man himself, but the evil that resides in him.”
With these words I open the pages of Samurai Executioner, and give you the heads up.

If you know your manga then you are probably more familiar with the names Kazuo Koike & Goseki Kojima from their work on the highly praised and critically acclaimed Lone Wolf & Cub series, of which Dark Horse is publisher of the English language version that we know (and which die hard fans own lovingly age worn copies from repeated readings). But before the age of Lone Wolf & Cub this dynamic duo worked on this title, Samurai Executioner, and Decapitator Asaemon (bearer of the sword Onibocho and the man charged with the duty of testing the swords for the shogun).
(Other titles you might know featuring the written work of Kazuo Koike may be Lady Snowblood and Crying Freeman, to name a few).

I was thinking of saving this for October (a theme of sexuality and violence might work with the coming Halloween theme) but since I have the time let’s delve into this nice tight piece of work which, surprise surprise, demands a perfect score for it’s relentless perfection of creation and stark brutal beauty.

NOTE
There’s an important notice about content (in terms of the Japanese Edo-period terminology) at the start, be sure to read it before you dive in OK?

A woman with a strange request has come to the executioner. She has this really long hair? Yeah, well she wants him to cut her head off as she holds her long hair (so that it gets cut at the same time). Then the hair is supposed to get shipped to this riverboat captain (for a reason you’ll see as you read the story)… creepy, huh?

After that we check out the happy homelife of “catcher” Kasajiro and his wife (hot) who is about to join forces with him as a new cop in town, which means lots of husband and wife cop work, and lots of drama as they end up partnering up (oh, and then there‘s the sex and stuff).

Next up an old guy wants to see his chrysanthemum as he gets the whammy from the executioner. This leads to a lesson in growing chrysanthemums, and a deeper lesson in the life of both chrysanthemums and mankind.

Then we’re back to husband and wife team of cops as there might be some marital discord going on when the two are assigned separate partners… maybe. Or maybe I might just be reading this all wrong, you decide for yourself… this isn’t going to be the death of their marriage is it? Ewww!

Finally must the lady get her head knocked off before she finishes her personal grooming?
That and somebody’s passing around a bad cold since everyone in the last part seems to be coughing… oh, and two somebodys gets their head cough… I mean cut off.

Explanations are weak, reading is stronger… if you’re an adult. Obviously Samurai Executioner is for adults only, so be mindful of that when you’re checking this out. Otherwise it’s time for a breakdown.

Samurai Executioner Breakdown the 10th
What’s Hot?
A visually strong and vibrant read, stark and passionate, violent and meaningful, the stuff a 5 out of 5 is truly made out of if I ever saw one. Not for the faint of heart or the underaged, this mature read is an intelligent read that any true fan of the genre (or fans of the work of master wordsmith Kazuo Koike) will be reading (and buying) without people like me having to say to buy it.

What’s Not?
If you are abit squemish about the whole blood and violence thing though you might not be picking this up.

Moments to Remember?
Way lots to remember… and look! This format is downright small! This can really fit into any sized pocket for travelling reading material! Woo!!

What to Ignore?
That I just pointed out that this is fitable into any sized pocket… is that really a memorable thing? Uh… it is if you travel a lot and like to read while on the road, yeah.

Overall?
If you want a taste of strong period Japanese fiction look no further than the works of Koike. He is the essential of essential talents that you should expose yourself to (but not that way) ASAP.
(Adam Sessler accent) Samurai Executioner decapitates five copies of Tom Cruise’s samurai movie DVD out of five (which in most countries is considered a mercy killing).

-- David Rasmussen 23rd Jul 06