Clan Yashida (Marvel)

Clan Yashida is a family that features in Marvel Comics.

History

Clan Yashida

They were one of the noblest, richest and most powerful family in Japan who could trace their lineage back by almost 2,000 years. (Wolverine v1 #1) A thousand years ago, certain mystics near the first millennium believed that a prophesied doom could be averted by stopping time itself though others argued for hastening the end of the world so that they could pass into the next one. Clan Yashida participated in an experiment in this time but it was not known which side the family supported. The mysterious experiment was conducted at the ancient temple-complex of Tangkor Marat in Thailand but the warriors of the clan was frozen in time. This anomaly remained in place for a thousand years as an entity known as the Doombringer attempted to emerge into the world. This event was recorded in the histories of Clan Yashida though much of the details were unknown. (Wolverine: Doombringer v1 #1) Around 800 years ago, the supreme swordsmith Masamune forged the honor sword of Clan Yashida. (Wolverine v1 #2) It was said that the Yashida's had a long history of enmity with the Hand leading to a conflict that spanned centuries. (Old Man Logan v2 #33) When Clan Yashida stood for good, they opposed the Hand during the 1600's when the clan of demon-wroshippers sought to take over the island of Madripoor. (Old Man Logan v2 #34)

Lord Shingen was known to had contended with rival crime lords which included Clan Kaishek from Outer Mongolia who had long sought to expand into Japan but had been beaten back by Clan Yashida's ruthless leader. (Wolverine v2 #150)

Whilst Mariko took control of the Clan, Shingen's other son the Silver Samurai arrived in order to stake his claim to control over the Yashidas. (Uncanny X-Men v1 #172)

Following the death of Mariko, the Yashida's had been very unsteady during the leadership of Lord Nyoirin. Shinobi Shaw offered to vote to aid in reinstating the Clan Yashida in exchange for Nyoirin's support. (X-Men v2 #21)

Ogun's followers in the Path of Destiny captured Kitty Pryde and threatened to kill her pet dragon Lockheed to which she offered to steal the Sword of Secrets Ginrei from Clan Yashida. (X-Men: Kitty Pryde: Shadow & Flame v1 #4)

A group of Clan Yashida members that served the Silver Samurai later betrayed him and became the Renegade Twenty. These members sought to end the time stasis around the Temple of Tangkor Marat in the hopes of controlling the Doombringer for power and profit. (Wolverine: Doombringer v1 #1)

Clan Yashida later learned that the Japanese government had plans on activating the Red Ronin as the first line of defense against the possibility of a Mutant uprising. The Ronin was being developed at the Fujikawa Industries building with the government, the Hand and even Clan Yashida seeking to either possess it or destroy the giant robot. (Wolverine Annual v1 #1996)

Though Harada ruled the clan, he struggled in his new role as leader and this made him vulnerable to Yashida's enemies. This came in the form of Haan Kaishek who was the new leader of Clan Kaishek that was the oldest and most powerful clan to emerge from Outer Mongolia. Their criminal dominion had extended from Asia to Eastern Europe and the death of Lord Shingen allowed them to begin expanding into Japan. Haan wanted the Silver Samurai to be his subordinate and tasked him with killing the son of a Japanese industrialist who had refused the overtures of Clan Kaishek. When Harada refused, he was badly injured as a lesson in refusing Haan Kaishek. Kenuichio Harada went to get the aid of Wolverine where the two were saved by the intervention of Kaishek's brother who was involved in a blood feud over their criminal dominion. Gom Kaishek took in Harada but also held Yukio and Amiko Kobyashi hostage to force Wolverine to kill his brother so he could take over Clan Kaishek. (Wolverine v2 #150)

After the Silver Samurai was killed, Clan Yashida was leaderless making it vulnerable to their enemies that included the Hand and the Yakuza. (Wolverine v2 #300) The Clan was splintered by this point and lacked a clear leader with seven attempting to take the position in the span of two years. (New Avengers v1 #11) By this point, the Hand attempted an re-organization of the Japanese criminal underworld and sought an partnership with Clan Yashida to further their goals. (New Avengers v1 #12)

Shingen Harada II later represented the Yashida Corporation when meeting with other business leaders at the Universal Bank when it came to Dario Agger and Roxxon's plans for the Ten Realms. (Mighty Thor v3 #8) Following the death of Wolverine, Lady Deathstrike sought to cancel a debt she owed by recovering the honor blade of Clan Yashida. (Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy v1 #4) Shingen Harada later served as the CEO of the Yashida Corporation that was a major global power. (Mighty Thor v2 #8)

Overview

In its day, the Clan was said to had ruled the Japanese underworld. It managed to bring in ten times more money than other high ranking criminals with Yashida also shedding ten times more blood in the process. (New Avengers v1 #11) Due to Shingen, the clan's involvement in criminal affairs was stated to be extensive. (Uncanny X-Men v1 #172) Such was its strength that it was considered second only to the Emperor of Japan in terms of power. (Alpha Flight v1 #34)

Leadership of Clan Yashida was held by the Daimyo. (Uncanny X-Men v1 #172)

It was said that the Clan's corruption was too deeply seated and it could not be purged of it. (Wolverine v2 #150)

One of their most prized possessions was the honor sword that had been forged by Masamune who made it centuries ago. (Wolverine v1 #2) It was generally not worn by the lord of the clan but by the samurai who best exemplified the spiritual and physical perfection that they all strived for in their lives. (Uncanny X-Men v1 #174) Clan Yashida was also in possession of one of the five Japanese Swords of Secrets with them holding Ginrei, the Silver Spirit. (X-Men: Kitty Pryde: Shadow & Flame v1 #4)

Their ancestral stronghold was situated in the hills overlooking the port city of Agarashima in Miyago Prefecture that was roughly 300 clicks up the road from Tokyo. (Wolverine v1 #1) It was home to the ancestral fortunes of the clan and the secret treasures of its leader. (Wolverine v2 #300) The site was known as the Fortress Yashida which was where the leaders of the Clan gathered. (New Avengers v1 #12)

Yashida members could also be found in Tokyo's upper-class Meguro District. (Wolverine v1 #2)

Members

• Yashida Hoken : a clan member who lived 800 years ago who was noted to had defeated bandit lords of the north where he won the unholy Masamune blade which became the honor sword of the Yashida. (Wolverine v2 #78)
• Renchi Harada : a great, great grand-father of Mariko who was a noble warrior that opposed the Hand attempt at taking Madripoor where he fought against their leader with him ultimately succeeding in his goal. (Old Man Logan v2 #34)
• Shingen Yashida : male Japanese who was lord of the manor and lord of clan Yashida with him being Mariko’s father. (Wolverine v1 #1)
• Mariko Yashida :
• Keniuchio Harada :
• Shingen Harada : the son of Keniuchio Harada with his identity being hidden from the public with him being the boyfriend of Amiko Kobyashi. (Wolverine v2 #300)
• Yohei : a short male Japanese who operated as a button man to the clan who typically was seen in a black suit with a hat with him wearing sunglasses and smoking. Though appearing to be lazy and stupid, this was simply a feint but in reality he was the head enforcer of the Clan Yashida Yakuza and their deadliest weapon. (Wolverine v2 #108)
• Kojima Noburo :

Notes

• Clan Yashida was created by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller where they made their first appearance in Wolverine v1 #1 (September, 1982).

Alternate Versions

• In What If...? v2 #43 (1992), Clan Yashida appeared in an alternate reality setting in a world in the Multiverse. This reality's Masterminds manipulations did not prevent the wedding of Wolverine and Mariko Yashida. After the wedding, Wolverine stayed in Japan with his wife, vowing to help her free Clan Yashida from the criminal connections made by Mariko’s father, Shingen. However, a threat emerged from a new mysterious oyabun and to learn their identity Mariko accepted her criminal half-brother, the Silver Samurai, back into the clan. He helped them uncover the identity of the crimelord leading to a confrontation with the Kingpin of Crime, who planned to control Japan via its underworld and had no intention letting Clan Yashida go. A lengthy gang war erupted with Yashida standing little chance until the superhero Sunfire entered the conflict on the clan's side. The Kinpgin suggested single combat between himself and Wolverine to decide the battle. However, when Wolverine was about to win, the Kingpin gave a signal to the Silver Samurai, who had secretly stayed loyal to him and now murdered his sister, Mariko. Enraged, Wolverine killed him in return though the Kinpgin was certain that without Mariko in the picture he will be able to control Yashida. However, he came to be killed by Sunfire and in the aftermath Wolverine suggested Sunfire take over the reins of the clan and he returned to the X-Men.
• In X-Men Forever v2 (2010), Clan Yashida featured in an alternate setting where they were headed by Lady Mariko Yashida. The Silver Samurai cemented an alliance between the Yashida's and Matsu’o Tsurabaya who was the premier Oyabun of the Hand. It was revealed that Mariko Yashida was the leader of the Consortium that was a secret conspiracy of humans that sought to eliminate Mutants.
• In Wolverine: MAX v1 (2012), the Yashida Clan appeared in the alternate world setting. Around 150 years ago, Victor Creed was working for Machi-Yako who was helping the Shogunate clan against the Yashida Clan with them being called rapists, killers and thieves. The Shogunate desired the Yashida's sword that was a sacred part of their traditions with them believing it brought good fortune with Creed along with Logan sent to take it from the samurai Shingen Yashida. Logan who was operating as a monk at the time fell in love with Shingen's daughter Mariko Yashida and later sided with her in opposing Creed's plan to take the sword. By the modern day, Yami Yashida was a descendant of the family who became Logan's lover but she was bribed with money to detonate a plane that they were on in order to kill him. After the explosion, she survived in the water but was later eaten by a shark before Logan could save her.

In other media

Television

• In Wolverine and the X-Men, Clan Yashida did not appear nor was mentioned in the animated series. However, Mariko and the Silver Samurai appeared in the episode "Code of Conduct". The Silver Samurai was said to be part of a Japanese Yakuza criminal clan that believed in a code of honor and conduct. Years ago, the Silver Samurai battled Wolverine for Mariko where they were not allowed to use their Mutant powers. Mariko ultimately decided to marry Silver Samurai despite her love for Logan. By the modern day, the Silver Samurai sought leadership of the clan but his earlier defeat by Logan was a mark on his honor. Thus, he forced a new duel with Wolverine only to lose after he tried to use his powers to kill Logan leading to the clan disbarring him for his dishonorable actions.
• In The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, the Yashida Clan was mentioned in the animated television series in the episode "Widow's Sting" where it operated in Japan and was run by a man called Gorgon. Viper approached them entering into an alliance with Hydra where she reported her findings to Baron Strucker.
• In Marvel Anime: Wolverine, Clan Yashida was not mentioned in the animated series though Shingen Yashida was stated to be in charge of a Japanese criminal syndicate called the Kuzuryū. They were named after the mythic nine headed dragon and were one of the most vicious gangs of the Yakuza that received backing from A.I.M. Among Shingen's top lieutenants was the Mutant swordsmen known as Kikyo Mikage who he dispatched on various tasks. The syndicate was responsible for attacking Wolverine and taking Mariko Yashida from him in order to end the romance between the pair. Shingen desired his daughter to marry the Madripoor crime lord Hideki Kurohagi in order to further his own power base. After learning of this event, Logan came into conflict with them as he sought to rescue his love Mariko.

Films

• In The Wolverine, the Yashida family featured heavily in the plotline of the live-action movie. During World War II, one of their number was Ichirō Yashida who was a soldier in the Japanese army with his life saved by Wolverine. In the aftermath, Yashida established the Yashida Zaibatsu corporation and had a powerful family that were protected by the Black Clan of ninjas. His son was Shingen Yashida and Ichirō had a granddaughter in Mariko Yashida. Ichirō ultimately planned to steal Logan's healing factor in order to live immortal. After Ichirō and Shingen's death, Mariko became the new head of the family.

Video games

• In Marvel Heroes, the Yashida family featured in the plot setting of the MMORPG video game with Yukio serving as their representative and asking the heroes to retrieve the shards of the Muramasa Blade for her on Madripoor.

Appearances

• Wolverine v1: (1982)
• Uncanny X-Men v1:
• Wolverine v2:
• X-Men v2:
• X-Men Unlimited v1:
• New Avengers v1:
• Death of Wolverine: The Logan Legacy v1:
• Old Man Logan v2:

External Links

• Marvel Database Entry
• Comicvine Entry

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