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Quote1 I've faced deadlier opponents in the training arenas of my youth! Quote2
Silver Samurai[src]

History

Pariah[]

Kenuichio Harada[2] was a mutant[6] born as the illegitimate son of the Japanese crime lord Shingen Yashida, head of the traditional and influential Clan Yashida in Japan.[7] Gifted with the ability of generating an energy field channelled through inanimate objects, he was able to transform the sacred silver sword of his ancestors into the most effective blade possible,[8] being able to pierce through steel with no resistance and disrupt electronic and biological systems with energy. As a youth, Harada mastered the attendant disciplines of the medieval samurai fighting arts.[9]

Seeking to pay a debt his father had with evil-doer Mandrill, the honor-bound Harada operated in the United States by working for the Black Spectre, an organization with the aims of overthrowing governments and cast chaos. This put him in conflict with the Mandrill's adversary, Shanna the She-Devil, as well as her associate, the vigilante Daredevil. At first, Silver Samurai was defeated by the heroes, but, as he returned with enforcements and the priestess Nekra, he was able to capture Shanna. His success released him from his duty to the Mandrill and he left Black Spectre, although he still attempted to foil Daredevil's plans of rescuing Shanna.[10]

Viper's Venom[]

Due to his association with Ishiro Tagara, the Silver Samurai loyally served as a bodyguard for Tagara's lover, Viper, the former leader of the terrorist Hydra. Viper involved the Silver Samurai in secret criminal activities in New York City, tasking him to retrieve Cavorite Crystals for her plans.[11] In his mission, the Silver Samurai accidentally clashed with the hero Spider-Man as he intercepted a case of theft in an antique store. Wishing to keep his presence cryptic, the Silver Samurai decided to slay Spider-Man. Before he could accomplish that, he was stopped by the lethal Black Widow, who recognized him from his affairs with the Mandrill. Afraid of jeopardizing his mission, the Silver Samurai attempted to collapse the building where they were fighting. The Black Widow put up a difficult fight against him as Spider-Man prevented the collapse of the structures. Together, Spider-Man and Black Widow put him out of commission.[9]

Having been broken free from jail by Viper, the Silver Samurai resumed his operations,[11] when he was able to collect a ring with a teleporting matrix from John Belushi.[12] Next, Viper executed a plan to dismantle S.H.I.E.L.D.. They were able to secretly hijack the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier by hypnotizing Clay Quartermain. This operation put them into conflict with Spider-Man and Black Widow, who investigated the crisis. Using his teleporting device, the Silver Samurai sent the agent Boomerang to eliminate them under Viper's orders. As Boomerang struggled to oppose them since they had support in Nick Fury, the Silver Samurai retrieved him.[13] Afraid of being discovered, Viper wished to lure Fury into the Helicarrier. Being able to predict their scheme, Fury had Shang-Chi raid the Helicarrier with him while Spider-Man and Black Widow infiltrated the flying ship. Viper escaped in a final attempt to kill the president as the Silver Samurai covered her.[11] The political assassination attempt was prevented with Spider-Man being able to ultimately defeat the Silver Samurai in combat. Viper was apparently killed in action, disappearing into oblivion.[14]

In fact, Viper survived and looked for Silver Samurai to assist her in her plans. They developed a deep friendship and a sense of care for each other in their partnership. Viper was especially interested in having control over the war hero Michael Kramer, or Judas Man before Fury could in order to use his enhanced genetic make-up to create a biological weapon. Together, Viper and the Silver Samurai hunted Kramer's daughter, Pamela, in San Francisco. However, at that time, Kramer looked for assistance from private investigator Jessica Drew in looking into her father's disappearance. Since Drew was secretly the dark angel Spider-Woman, she confronted Viper and Silver Samurai to protect Kramer, foiling their kidnapping attempt. They hunted Michael Kramer instead, who was protected by Spider-Woman as well, leading to a battle between her and the Silver Samurai. In defeat, Spider-Woman witnessed the Silver Samurai capture Kramer.[15] He expected her to infiltrate Viper's base to secue Kramer. Preparing himself for her arrival, he deactivated her abilities and challenged her to a honor duel. Instead, Spider-Woman chose to flee, impersonating Viper to break Kramer free and ruin the Silver Samurai's plans.[8]

Viper still wished to secure the Cavorite Crystals. She and the Silver Samurai attacked Team America, in order to summon the avatar Black Rider and force them to steal the item. The New Mutant named Moonstar was present during the attack and manifested the Black Rider. The Silver Samurai kidnapped Moonstar with the other New Mutants being unable to stop him.[2] Moonstar's mentor Professor Xavier trained Team America to steal the crystal from an A.I.M. base in Mexico to pay Viper's ransom. Meanwhile, the New Mutants assembled in California to rescue Moonstar with success as they defeated the Silver Samurai. Forced to escape with his mistress, the Silver Samurai was ordered to destroy their own headquarters after escaping to harm the New Mutants.[7]

Clan Yashida[]

Lord Shingen Yashida was killed in combat against the gaijin warrior Wolverine. His death was followed by his rightful heir Mariko Yashida assuming control over Clan Yashida. She immediately removed Clan Yashida from criminal affairs. Moreover, Mariko Yashida had her heart promised to her father's killer, Wolverine. They announced their wedding,[16] much to the Silver Samurai's rage. Believing he would be recognized as a legitimate heir of the Clan Yashida following his father's death, Harada was obsessed with destroying his half-sister and his father's assassin during their wedding. Viper assumed the mission of helping her dear ally.[7] As the Silver Samurai observed Wolverine and his allies, the X-Men, he was identified by the ronin Yukio. In the ensuing confrontation, he vanished by teleporting away. Simultaneously, he arranged a meeting with Mariko Yashida, which she chose to attend in secrecy while Viper furtively poisoned the X-Men to prevent their intervention. During the meeting, Harada demanded control over Clan Yashida, which Yashida refused. He challenged her in deadly combat only to learn that, in fact, Yukio had impersonated his half-sister. The X-Men countered the plan and, in the fight, Viper was severely hurt. From that moment on, not only Mariko Yashida was his sworn enemy, but also the X-Men.[17]

In retaliation, Wolverine looked to confront the Silver Samurai directly. By the end of their duel, the Silver Samurai fell by not being able to destroy Wolverine's indestructible Adamantium bones, which sparked in him a sense of unworthiness. Although Wolverine had decided to execute Harada, Mariko Yashida pleaded for his brother's life, preventing a fatality. The enraged Viper counterattacked by firing at their enemies during an escape, something that was only prevented by the X-Man Rogue endangering herself to protect her friends. Ultimately, Yashida decided not to marry Wolverine.[18] Instead, she pardoned Harada for his crimes and admitted him as his right hand and successor in Clan Yashida. Moreover, under Mariko Yashida's orders, he retrieved the Honor Sword of Clan Yashida Wolverine had earned in combat back to Clan Yashida.[19] Although serving his ancestral clan, Harada coincided his duty with his partnership with Viper in discreet criminal activities.[20]

During an assignment to collect the mystic Blade of Muramasa in Madripoor, the Silver Samurai stumbled upon a group of criminals who venerated the sword as the Cult of the Black Blade and wished to use it for their needs. He slayed many of them in search for the sword. Simultaneously, Wolverine also investigated the whereabouts of Muramasa, since it had corrupted Jessica Drew. This led him to clash with the Silver Samurai, sparking a fight. Their battle was interrupted by a possessed Drew. An unusual team-up formed between Harada and Drew's best friend, Lindsay McCabe, since both wanted Drew to break free from the sword. However, when they found her, Wolverine had succumbed to the blade.[6] Arriving at the Princess Bar, the Silver Samurai and McCabe had assistance from O'Donnell in gathering information about the cultists. Trusting McCabe, the Silver Samurai chose to tackle the cultists having only her by his side. They effectively liberated Wolverine and Jessica Drew from the dark influence of Muramasa. Able to resist the evil in the sword, the Silver Samurai acquired it as his prize and left Madripoor.[21]

As the deadly organization known as the Hand expanded its influence in Japan, Clan Yashida was pressured to take action. Mariko Yashida wished not to succumb to illegal methods to combat the hand. This allowed the Silver Samurai to gain power within the clan as he challenged her leadership by promising to attack the Hand with brute force.[22] The Hand's leader Matsu'o Tsurayaba, however, anticipated a war before any negotiations by having Hand ninjas attack the Yashida Ancestral Stronghold in Agarashima. To protect Clan Yashida, the Silver Samurai formed an alliance with his hated nemesis Wolverine. Tsurayaba sent the agent Reiko to formalize a blood pact in which the Hand would acquire what remained of Clan Yashida's criminal connections. This could finally cleanse Clan Yashida from any illegal affairs and establish peace with the Hand, as Mariko Yashida wished to. The tantō utilized in the pact was poisoned, leading to Mariko Yashida's death. In terror, Reiko sacrificed herself with the Silver Samurai's Muramasa blade.[23] Following his sister's death, the Silver Samurai ascended as leader of Clan Yashida.[24]

Having an honorable association with the crime-lord named Nyoirin, the Silver Samurai was tasked by Clan Yashida to protect Nyoirin from the investigations of the X-Men regarding the convoluted association between Psylocke and Kwannon.[25] The X-Men were able to knock the Silver Samurai out, but he was able to gather himself together and reach out to Nyoirin.[26] With the Silver Samurai's assistance, Nyoirin was protected as he redirected the X-Men to target Tsurayaba instead.[27] Some time later, the X-Men contacted the Silver Samurai to inform him that the vicious Sabretooth hunted for psychics, which included Uchio Tanaka, a former protegé of Lord Shingen Yashida. In an amicable alliance, the Silver Samurai was assisted by the X-Men in resisting Sabretooth.[28]

Big Hero 6[]

He was briefly employed by the Japanese government as leader of their fledgling super-team Big Hero 6.[29] He joined to prevent Everwraith from slaughtering millions in downtown Tokyo.[30] During the battle, Big Hero 6 was joined by Sunfire, Japan's premiere super hero and a mutant with the ability to super-heat matter into plasma, who was instrumental in the Everwraith's defeat.[31]

Soon after, Big Hero 6 moved their headquarters from the Giri Office Building to Japan's Cool World Amusement Park, where they were attacked by X the Unknowable, a monster born from a child's drawings that could transform its atomic structure into any form and shape. With the help of Alpha Flight, Big Hero 6 destroyed X the Unknowable in the fires of Mount Fuji.[32] Afterwards, Big Hero 6 continued to protect Japan from all threats, such as when the team rescued Tokyo residents from a freak blizzard caused by the Crimson Cowl (Justine Hammer) and her Masters of Evil.[33]

Ultimately, his inability to lead Clan Yashida allowed the Mongolian crime lord Haan Kaishek to take control, and he allied with Wolverine to defeat the Kaishek’s; however, the disgrace of losing leadership was too great for Harada, and he returned to his mercenary ways.

Criminal Underworlds[]

Revealed to have survived, the Silver Samurai resumed his criminal career following an encounter with the mutant Blindspot. Allied with known terrorist Lady Deathstrike, Harada attempted to establish himself as the "Silver Shogun," leader of the Yakuza.[34]

At some point, Harada was kidnapped by S.H.I.E.L.D.[35] and held prisoner under the radar in the maximum security prison known as the Raft as part of a super-villain stockpiling conspiracy. Following a massive breakout in the prison, he was was rescued by Viper's Hydra and the Hand, who returned him back to Clan Yashida. Their plan was having the Silver Samurai unite the Japanese criminal underworld, hoping he could take on shadowy figures manipulating important organizations.[3] The Avengers investigated the Silver Samurai's whereabouts, sending their member Ronin to spy on Clan Yashida. Ronin was identified, causing the Hand to lash out at the Avengers.[36] Viper was defeated by the Avengers, and the Silver Samurai chose not to confront them. He expressed his wishes of making his kidnapping public and alerted the Avengers about possible infiltrators undercover all over the world. The Avengers departed.[35]

The Silver Samurai was one of the few mutants who retained their powers following the decimation. He became the captain of a personal security cadre for the prime minister of Japan. A side-effect of the decimation was that Wolverine restored his memories. In Japan, Wolverine searched for Harada to demand clarifications about his past. This sparked a fight,[37] in which the Silver Samurai was able to run Wolverine through with his swords. As a consequence, Wolverine grabbed the Silver Samurai by his right forearm and severed his hand at the wrist with his deadly claws, leaving the Samurai kneeling on the floor cradling the bloody stump where his hand once was. In his brutality, Wolverine earned his answers.[38]

On the run of law enforced by the Superhuman Registration Act, the Avengers travelled to Japan to help Ronin in her war against the Hand. After rescuing her, they invaded Harada's home in need of asylum. The Silver Samurai vehemently disagreed with their decision and combatted the Avengers, directing his rage at Wolverine for having mutilated him. The leader of the Hand, Elektra, effectively tracked the Avengers to the Yashida stronghold.[39] A deadly confrontation ensued in the location,[40] which culminated with Elektra being killed and outed as a Skrull.[41] As secrets untangled, the machinations related to Silver Samurai's tenure in prison were revealed to be the work of Skrulls attempting to conquer Earth.[42]

In succession to the Skrull's failed attempt to invade Earth, Hydra re-erected their might. Viper abandoned the Silver Samurai, as they forged a romance, to join the High Council of Hydra.[43] She returned alongside Madame Hydra to negotiate technological support to be given from the Clan Yashida to the Typhon Group, Hydra's production front. They also retrieved a mysterious box that the Clan Yashida claimed that those who opened it never lived to see another day. In disappointment, the Silver Samurai questioned Viper if the nature of their relationship only had as an objective her goals in Hydra.[44] Some time later, agents of Leviathan attacked the Silver Samurai to force him reveal the location of the box.[45]

Death of a Samurai[]

Tsurayaba's Hand pressured Harada's Clan Yashida to forge an alliance. Seeing no dignity in the Hand, the Silver Samurai refused to create any alliance. As the Hand prepared to aggressively take him, Wolverine invaded Clan Yashida's sanctuary and defeated the Hand. The Silver Samurai showed no gratitude and recollected their sorrowful past. Wolverine asked for forgiveness for having mutilated Harada and went on to solicit help in mastering the indestructible Muramasa Blade.[46] For days, the Silver Samurai spiritually mentored Wolverine in combat,[47] teaching him to fight for love and honor instead of hate.[48] Later, the Silver Samurai joined Wolverine and other of his allies in fighting and defeating the mischievous Ruby Thursday.[49]

In an elaborate scheme performed by the Red Right Hand to have Wolverine sent to Hell, an army was employed to kill his allies. One of the targets was the Silver Samurai and Clan Yashida. The Black Samurai massacred the clan, desecrated their ancestral home, and mortally wounded Harada with arrows piercing his armor. Before succumbing to death, he executed all of his aggressors in combat. As the Yashida Stronghold burned behind him, Kenuichio Harada limped to his sister Mariko Yashida's grave and died.[4] The legacy of the Silver Samurai survived in the form of his son, Shin, named after Lord Shingen.[50]

Crucible[]

Mutantkind was able to triumph over death following the establishment of the island-nation of Krakoa by Professor Xavier.[51] Through the mutant circuit known as the Five, any mutant could be resurrected.[52] A consequence of this social practice in the Krakoan society was the emergence of the Crucible ritual. Since thousands of mutants still stayed depowered following the decimation, death and resurrection proved to be a way to recover their mutant gifts. The Crucible served as a honorable fight in which a depowered mutant was to fight for his execution at the hands of a peer mutant.[53] Having been resurrected in Krakoa, the Silver Samurai became responsible for officiating combat at the Arena in the Quarry[5] and, in the absence of an opponent, would volunteer to step in to honorably perform Crucible.[54] He also judged battles for markers, which served as debts in Krakoan society.[5] When training in the Quarry, the Silver Samurai was violently inquired by Wolverine about the whereabouts of the Muramasa Blade. As he shared rumors, the Silver Samurai expressed his disappointment in not being the prophesized wielder of Muramasa for the Krakoa-Arakko War.[55]

Attributes

Powers

  • Tachyon Field: Ability to generate a tachyon energy field from within his body. Though he can focus this energy through anything, he typically focuses this field through his sword; allowing it to cut through almost any substance.[56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65]

Abilities

  • Swordmanship: The Silver Samurai is a master of Kenjutsu, the art of wielding a katana.[61]
  • History: Silver Samurai an expert in the art of Bushido, the history and customs of the samurai class.[61]
  • Master Martial Artist: He is also a highly skilled grandmaster of the Japanese martial arts such as Jujutsu/Aikijujutsu, Karate Do, Bujutsu, Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu, Tantojutsu (knife-fighting), Ninjutsu, Kyujutsu (Samurai Archery on or off horseback), Bajutsu (horsemanship), and Samurai strategy and tactics although his abilities do not quite match those of Iron Fist or Shang-Chi despite the fact that both of the latter are versed in Chinese martial arts.[56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][66][65]

Paraphernalia

Equipment

Ken's samurai armor is silver in color and light enough to not hamper his mobility. The armor weighs 60 lbs (27 kg).[56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][66][65]

Weapons

Katana. In particular Ken has wielded the original Muramasa.[21] He also uses throwing weapons such as Kunai (daggers), a tanto (combat knife shaped like a very small katana), and shuriken.[2]

Transportation

While working with Viper he carried a special teleportation ring that was activated when twisted.[12]

Notes

  • The origins and abilities of the Silver Samurai were gradually built across the years in cumulative storylines:
    • In his first appearance, in Daredevil #111, by Steve Gerber, little of his origins were explored. As a swordsman, the Silver Samurai or his sword exhibited no special abilities despite his excellent fighting skills. It was only defined that he was honor bounded to his father;
    • The next advances in his characterization were developed by creator Chris Claremont. His energy sword was introduced in Marvel Team-Up #57 with the capacity of creating electrically disruptive effects. However, it was implied that the sword's properties were derived from the weapon itself, either by technological or mystic ways;
    • In Marvel Team-Up #83, the sword's properties were more clearly defined as an energy sword easily capable of cutting through any material, including steel;
    • In Spider-Woman #43, it was revealed that only the Silver Samurai could activate the energy effect that characterized his sword;
    • His full real name was only revealed in New Mutants #5;
    • His connection to Clan Yashida was disclosed in New Mutants #6;
    • Finally, his condition as a mutant was only fully made explicit in Wolverine (Vol. 2) #2.
  • In stories produced by Chris Claremont, the Silver Samurai's first name was spelled "Keniuchio". Claremont was responsible for first fully naming the character in New Mutants #5. However, all of the character's most recent appearances list his name as "Kenuichio".
  • The Samurai's teleportation ring was originally obtained from John Belushi in Marvel Team-Up #74, in which Spider-Man teamed with the 1974 cast of Saturday Night Live. This has remained in continuity, although recent references have replaced Belushi with Chris Farley.[citation needed]

Trivia

  • The name "Kenuichio" does not exist in the Japanese language. As a result, the Silver Samurai's name is often rendered in Japanese media as Ken'ichirou Harada (原田剣一郎 Harada Ken'ichirō).

See Also

Links and References

References

  1. Elektra (Vol. 3) #3
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 New Mutants #5
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 New Avengers #12
  4. 4.0 4.1 Wolverine (Vol. 4) #1
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Cable (Vol. 4) #1
  6. 6.0 6.1 Wolverine (Vol. 2) #2
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 New Mutants #6
  8. 8.0 8.1 Spider-Woman #43
  9. 9.0 9.1 Marvel Team-Up #57
  10. Daredevil #111
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Marvel Team-Up #84
  12. 12.0 12.1 Marvel Team-Up #74
  13. Marvel Team-Up #83
  14. Marvel Team-Up #85
  15. Spider-Woman #42
  16. Wolverine #4
  17. Uncanny X-Men #172
  18. Uncanny X-Men #173
  19. Uncanny X-Men #174
  20. New Mutants #53
  21. 21.0 21.1 Wolverine (Vol. 2) #3
  22. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #57
  23. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #58
  24. Cable - Blood and Metal #2
  25. X-Men (Vol. 2) #21
  26. X-Men (Vol. 2) #22
  27. X-Men (Vol. 2) #23
  28. X-Men Unlimited #3
  29. Sunfire and Big Hero Six #1
  30. Sunfire and Big Hero Six #2
  31. Sunfire and Big Hero Six #3
  32. Alpha Flight (Vol. 2) #17
  33. Thunderbolts #25
  34. Rogue (Vol. 3) #79
  35. 35.0 35.1 New Avengers #13
  36. New Avengers #11
  37. Wolverine (Vol. 3) #36
  38. Wolverine (Vol. 3) #37
  39. New Avengers #28
  40. New Avengers #30
  41. New Avengers #31
  42. Secret Invasion
  43. Secret Warriors #2
  44. Secret Warriors #6
  45. Secret Warriors #11
  46. Wolverine: Origins #42
  47. Wolverine: Origins #43
  48. Wolverine: Origins #48
  49. Wolverine: Origins #45
  50. Wolverine (Vol. 2) #300
  51. House of X #1
  52. House of X #5
  53. X-Men (Vol. 5) #7
  54. Marauders #17
  55. Wolverine (Vol. 7) #6
  56. 56.0 56.1 56.2 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe #10
  57. 57.0 57.1 57.2 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (Vol. 2) #12
  58. 58.0 58.1 58.2 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Master Edition #25
  59. 59.0 59.1 59.2 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Wolverine 2004 #1
  60. 60.0 60.1 60.2 New Avengers Most Wanted Files #1
  61. 61.0 61.1 61.2 61.3 61.4 Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z #10
  62. 62.0 62.1 62.2 Marvel Avengers: The Ultimate Character Guide #1
  63. 63.0 63.1 63.2 Heroic Age: X-Men #1
  64. 64.0 64.1 64.2 X-Men: The 198 Files #1
  65. 65.0 65.1 65.2 Big Hero 6 #1
  66. 66.0 66.1 Dark Reign Files #1
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