Was Yoshimitsu a Real Samurai?

Yoshimitsu was indeed a real historical figure, with multiple individuals bearing the name throughout Japanese history, including Minamoto no Yoshimitsu, a Japanese samurai lord during the Heian period, and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a shogun of Japan who achieved political stability for the Ashikaga shogunate. The name Yoshimitsu has been associated with various notable figures in Japanese history, making it a significant and enduring part of the country’s martial heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Historical Context and Background

1. Who was the real Yoshimitsu?: The real Yoshimitsu refers to several historical figures, including Minamoto no Yoshimitsu, a Japanese samurai lord, and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a shogun of Japan.
2. What does Yoshimitsu mean in Japanese?: Yoshimitsu’s name roughly translates to “Light of Happiness“, with his outfits often employing the kanji “宇” (Romaji: u, Pinyin: yǔ), which means “universe“.
3. Is Yoshimitsu a samurai or a ninja?: While historically, Yoshimitsu was a samurai, in popular culture, he is often depicted as a ninja, particularly in the Tekken series.

Cultural Significance and Legacy

4. What is the story behind Yoshimitsu?: Yoshimitsu is the leader of the Manji Clan, a notorious gang of Robin Hood-like thieves, who enters the Tournament to save the life of Dr. Bosconovitch.
5. Why does Yoshimitsu say Namu?: Yoshimitsu seems to be using “Namu” as a mantra, a verbal focus of meditation, which is also part of a chant said at funerals, implying a threat of death to his opponents.
6. How many different Yoshimitsu are there?: There are three different characters who bear the name Yoshimitsu in the Tekken and Soulcalibur series of fighting games.

Gaming and Pop Culture

7. Has Yoshimitsu been in every Tekken?: The first version of Yoshimitsu made his debut in the original Tekken in 1994 and is one of three characters to appear in every main installment of the series.
8. What fighting style does Yoshimitsu use?: In the Soulcalibur series, Yoshimitsu uses his beloved self-named katana and the Manji ninjutsu combat style, handed down through many generations in the Manji Clan.
9. Why does Yoshimitsu keep changing?: Yoshimitsu’s appearance drastically changes in every Tekken game, taking advantage of the fact that he always conceals his identity on account of being a ninja.

Character Analysis and Relationships

10. Is Yoshimitsu a human?: Despite his odd appearances, Yoshimitsu is human, with Namco confirming this, and his left hand is mechanized due to a failed mission.
11. Why does Yoshimitsu hate Kunimitsu?: Kunimitsu is a former member of the Manji Party thieves guild, denounced by Yoshimitsu for stealing for her own personal interests, going against the Manji Party’s principles.
12. Who is Yoshimitsu’s tag partner?: In the Capcom-made crossover game Street Fighter X Tekken, Yoshimitsu’s official tag partner is Raven.

Power and Abilities

13. How powerful is Yoshimitsu?: Overall, Yoshimitsu is an exceptionally powerful adversary for most opponents, with his only weakness being that his primary sword is cursed, and without a steady flow of villains to slay with it, it will ultimately drive him insane.
14. Why doesn’t Yoshimitsu use his sword?: Yoshimitsu learns that his sword is weakening, as it will lose its power and drive its user insane if it does not kill evildoers for a prolonged amount of time.
15. Why is Yoshimitsu in both games?: Yoshimitsu appears in both the Tekken and Soulcalibur series due to a logical crossover between the two franchises, bringing Yoshimitsu into the world of the newly rebranded weapon-based fighter.