| Twenty years ago, when I was kid, my samurai spirit | | | | just begun. What I didn't realize then is that the |
| was sent free when I opened the very first Ninja | | | | creative genius behind the Ninja Turtles, Kevin |
| Turtles comic! | | | | Eastman and Peter Laird, had planned out carefully |
| It dramatically began with my all-time favorite hero's | | | | what powerful ninja sword would be Leonardo's. |
| unforgettable words, | | | | The samurai katana is quite possibly the world's most |
| "My name is Leonardo...I hold my katana in a relaxed | | | | renowned Japanese sword for its cutting ability and |
| ready position...I sense my body quivering with tense | | | | sharpness. For many ninja sword fans, the samurai |
| energy, waiting to be triggered into savage, slashing | | | | katana has surpassed the power and mythical status |
| release!" | | | | of its own warrior behind the samurai weapon! If |
| I was "mondo" HOOKED! I have collected ton of | | | | fact, in feudal Japan, the samurai warriors slept with |
| Ninja Turtles comics since then, and the image that | | | | their swords for respect, honor and, of course, |
| sticks with me is the on-going depiction of the | | | | self-defense. If a warrior lost his Japanese sword, he |
| fearless leader, Leonardo, with his samurai katana | | | | lost his honor. |
| shining with fierce expectation of the battle that has | | | | |