 Kyoto Yoshi is secretly Japan’s greatest crime fighter, the superhero known as Samurai. When the Japanese
government became aware of Lex Luthor’s alliance of The Legion of Doom, they contacted the UN Security Council and petitioned for the inclusion of Samurai
into the Justice League’s ranks. However, Yoshi is not the first to take on the superhero role of Samurai.
Yoshi's military superiors actually appointed him to assume the superhero role after the assassination of the original Samurai,
Chang Haseko.
Haseko has been Emperor Hirohito’s supersolider, a costumed defender of Imperial Japan and inspiration
to its people. This Samurai served the Japanese military government during WWII as a member of Order Grouping of Asia,
a team of warriors who were frequent opponents of the Justice Society. After an ill-fated mission in which Haseko and
his team were captured, Justice Society members Wildcat and Hourman were able to convince Haseko the error of his country’s
unjust policies. Samurai became a cautious ally of the Justice Society for the remainder of the war. Haseko's
countrymen were appalled at what they felt was betrayal by Samurai, and he was barred from returning to his homeland.
Haseko settled in Korea and fought injustice under the name Ronin. After many years, the new liberal government of Japan
felt it was time to reconcile with Samurai and he was invited to finally return home. The Japanese warrior was to receive
a special service award for his inspirational work for Japan during WWII in a ceremony held at the Emperor's Palace.
Samurai was dressed in his traditional Japanese garb when an old enemy of his, Hayabusa, emerged from the gathered crowd and
fired the shots that ended the career of this noble warrior. Hayabusa was quickly captured, but to minimize the public
relations nightmare, it was decided to replace Haseko with a new Samurai to inspire the Japanese people.
After an extensive search, submarine commander Kyoto Yoshi was selected to be the new Samurai. Using
state of the art genetic engineering, Kyoto’s DNA was altered, allowing him to change his body’s molecular density
at will. This gave Samurai the power of flight and virtual invisibility. Yoshi was also trained in the ancient
and lesser known teachings of Shintoism. Coupled with his already incredible powers, this wisdom allowed him to command
the forces of nature. Samurai can summon gusts of incredible wind and walls of blazing fire. Yoshi was also schooled
in the ancient military traditions of feudal Japan, giving him a mastery of eastern philosophy and battlefield strategy.
The new Samurai quickly gained a reputation as Japan’s most powerful superhero. A modest man, Kyoto Yoshi has
found his superhero status somewhat tiresome. However, he realizes he must uphold the dignity and symbolism of his Samurai
predecessor. Taking a cue from Mexico’s well received inclusion of El Dorado into a previous Justice League, the
new Samurai was finally asked to join the ranks of the Justice League of America. He brings his no-nonsense approach
to crime fighting to his Western counterparts, while holding true to his Eastern beliefs and traditions. [top] |
