Story Art by Takehiko inoue

Based on the novel “Musashi” by Eijt Yoshikawa

Vagabond Vol. 1
This graphic novel contains Vagabond monthly comics #1 and
#2 in their entirety and the first half of Vagabond monthly #3.
Story & Art by
Takehiko Inoue
Based on the novel “Musashi” by Eiji Yoshikawa
English Adaptation by
‘Yuji Oniki
Touch-up & Lettering/Steve Dutro
Cover & Graphics Design/tzumi Evers
Editor/Andy Nakatani
Managing Editor/Annette Roman
Director of Sales and Marketing/Dallas Middaugh
Editor-in-Chief/Hyoe Narita
Publisher/Seiji Horibuchi
Vagabond
© 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002 11. Planning, Inc.
Originally published in Japan in 1999 by Kodansha Ltd.,Tokyo.
English translation rights arranged with 1.7. Planning, Inc.
All rights reserved.
‘No unauthorized reproduction allowed. Although based on
historical sources, the stories, characters, and incidents
‘mentioned in this publication are entirely fictional,
Printed in Canada.
Published by Viz Comics
PO. Box 77010
San Francisco,CA94107
10987654321
First printing, March 2002
Vizit us at wwrw.viz.com, www.j-pop.com, waw.pulp-mag.com,
wwwanimerica-mag.com.
 ONCE WE
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 NO
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 }-—_——"
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WHY DO I FEEL
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RESPECTABLE
HEIR TO THE
HONIDEN FAMILY.
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SHINMEN
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VISIT!
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LIKE HE
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AFTER
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MAN
NAMED
‘TAKEZO!!

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BoDy!
MUST BE
NEARBY!!

Vif
TAKEZO'S (
DONE IT
AGAIN!
 HE WAS
AN ODD CHILD
WHO SPENT MOST
OF HIS TIME IN
THE MOUNTAINS!
IN OTHER
HELL FEED WORDS...
ON BIRDS,
RABBITS, OR
MN EVEN TREE BARK.
- MATAHACHI'S
STILL

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HE'S NOT
COMING
BACK
To
MIYAMOTO.
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EXCUSE OTSH.
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WHO DIDNT HAVE
ANYONE TO TEACH

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THOUGH SHE'S
HER PROPER

SEVENTEEN, SHE'S
NO IDEA HOW
THE WORLD
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TO HAVE TO GROW
UP IF YOURE GOING
TO BECOME A
BRIDE OF THE
HONIDEN
FAMILYJ!
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OH,
MATAHACHI!!
MY DEAR,
THIS
MAN
MATAHACHI
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MATAHACHI WAS
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Forget
about me

I
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BATH WHILE
I PREPARE
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You f JERK/!
BAsTARD!! © YY
Glossary and Extraneous Background
Information
The Battle of Sekigahara (1600): The Warring States or Sengoku period (1482-1558) in Japan
was a time of chaos and conflict. Central authorities, in the form of the imperial court and the
shogunate, had grown increasingly weaker and the land was effectively ruled autonomously by
numerous domainal lords (or daimyo). Looking to expand their spheres of control, the daimyo
were constantly at war with each other. One daimyo, Oda Nobunaga, set out on a mission to
unify Japan by means of conquest. Incredibly successful, by the time of his assassination in
1582, he managed to control approximately one-third of all of Japan. One of Nobunaga's chief
generals, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, became Nobunaga's successor to carry on the quest for unifica-
tion. Through a process of conquest and conciliation, Hideyoshi succeeded in creating an
orderly federation amongst the daimyo and by 1590, order wasrestored to Japan under
Hideyoshi's rule. Hideyoshi’s death in 1598, however, presented the question of succession.
Most of the daimyo from the domains in the west remained loyal to the Toyotomi Clan and its
five-year-old heir, Toyotomi Hideyori. Tokugawa leyasu, however, leading the major daimyo from
central and eastern Japan, challenged the Toyotomi clan's leadership. The two sides clashed at
the Battle of Sekigahara in Mino (located in present day Gifu Prefecture) where the Tokugawa
claimed an overwhelming victory. From that point on, the Tokugawa clan would effectively rule
Japan for the next 250 years. In the opening of Vagabond, we find Takez6 and Matahachi as
young survivors on the losing side of the Battle of Sekigahara,
Sakushu: Also known as Mimasaka. The historical name forthe area that is now the northern
region of modem-day Okayama Prefecture.
Ukita Hideie: (1573-1655) Daimyo of Bizen and Mimasaka (located in modern day Okayama
Prefecture). One of the leading generals that fought for the Toyotomi Clan at the Battle of
Sekigahara.
The Yagyu Clan: Yagyu Muneyoshi Sekishusai (1527-1606) was the founder of the famed
Yagyu-Shinkage school of sword fighting. His son Yagyu Munenori (1571-1646) was one of
Tokugawa's key general's at the Battle of Sekigahara. Munenori was appointed as the official
fencing instructor of the Tokugawa Clan and in 1632 the Yagyu were appointed as the
ometsuke—responsible for the surveillance of the daimyo. Although the Yagyu clan has been
depicted in Kazuo Koike’s Lone WolfandCub as the plotters of the downfall of itto Ogami, the
general Japanese popular culture take on the Yagyu Clan is more positive. More specifically,
Munenor'’s son,YagyuJubei (1607-1650), is viewed as a wandering hero protecting the peo-
ple from evil doers.
The Yoshioka Clan: Yoshioka Kempo (dates unknown) was a distinguished warrior during the
‘Sengoku period (1482-1558) and the founder of the Yoshioka school of sword fighting.
Historically, Kempo's sons are thoughttohave dueled with Miyamoto Musashi on numerous
‘occasions.
About Vagabond
Takehiko Inoue's Vagabond, based on Eiji Yoshikawa's novel Musashi, is a fictional account of the
life of Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645). The historical figure Miyamoto Musashi, author of the
philosophical strategy guide A Book ofFive Rings, was a master of the sword and was revered as
a “sword-saint” He founded the Niten Ichi style of sword fighting which is typified by fighting
with both long and short swords at once, holding the long sword with the right hand and the
short sword with the left. Musashi was not only a master swordsman but was also a master of
the “gentler arts"—he was a master of the sumi-e art form and even mastered the arts of metal-
working and woodcarving.

About the Author

Takehiko Inoue is the author of the best selling manga Slam Dunk, with over 100 million copies
in print worldwide. For his work on Vagabond, Inoue received the 2000 Media Arts award for
Manga from the Japanese Ministry of Culture as well as the Kodanshia Award for best manga.
Inoue has also received the prestigious Tezuka award for his previous works. In addition to his
numerous manga titles, Inoue also created the character designs for the PlayStation basketball
game, One on One.

A note on names: The names presented within the context of this comic are presented in the
traditional Japanese order-surname, followed by first name. “Miyamoto” is Miyamoto Musashi's
last name and “Musashi” is his first name. The name of the creator of Vagabond, however, has
been presented first name first, last name second. “Takehiko” is the author's first name and
“Inoue” is his last name.
This is the LAST page of this comic!
Vagabond hias been printed to read from right to left in its original
Japanese format—presenting Takehiko Inoue’s dynamic artwork the
way it was meant to be seen!
When most Japanese comics are published in English, a mirror image
Of the original artwork is printed in order to accommodate the left to
right reading orientation of English. For this reason, errors in continuity
occasionally occur and characters who were originally right-handed
suddenly become left-handed. In order to present manga in its purest
form, Vagabond is being printed to read from right to left. This way,
kimono are worn with the left side over the right and the samurai’,
long and short swords are carried on the left side the way they were
traditionally worn.

To properly enjoy Vagabond, start from the other end of this comic and
read from right to left.
This beautifully drawn series has incredible action, a hint of romance,
and a strong core of Japanese history...this book now has the possi-
bility of taking off like a rocket with the American audience.
—Troy Brownfield, Shotgun Reviews

Shinmen Takezo is destined to become the legendary sword-saint,

Miyamoto Musashi—perhaps the most renowned samurai of all time. For
now, Takezo is a cold-hearted killer, who will take on anyone in mortal
combat to make a name for himself. This is the journey of a wild young
brute who strives to reach enlightenment by way of the sword—fighting on
the edge of death.

Vu COMIES. $12.95 USA/$20.95 CAN

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978159 1"160342 |
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