Post by Tora no Shi on Sept 4, 2004 0:46:44 GMT -5
Name: Yuri Ishikawa
Alias: Tora no Shi
Age: 28
Sex: Male
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Height: 5 ft. 10 inch.
Weight: 150 lbs.
Blood type: O
Occupation: Assassin
Physical Description:
Athletic Body Structure, Martial Arts practitioner, Signature Yakuza Tattoo; Ruby Tiger and Jade Dragon intertwined in a battle that runs along his back, shoulder and chest.
Background Information:
The History of Christians in Japan dates back to 1552 when Portuguese traders and Jesuit missionaries landed on the shores of Kyushi. Thirty years later, 200 churches were established to accommodate the nation's 150,000 Christians. In the beginning, the foreign religion appeared to enjoy a swift rise in power and prominence. The visiting Francis Xavier may have led warlord Oda Nobunaga to destroy the sohei, the warrior monks of Mt. Hiei and the ancestors of the present day "Shi," Ana Ishikawa. However, not all of the Ishikawas followed the path of these tendai Buddhist monks. One branch of the family embraced Christianity despite the rising persecution and thus produced the anomalous "saintly warrior" Yuri Ishikawa, better known in legend as Tora no Shi ... the Tiger of Death!
History:
During the Tokugawa Era, Tora no Shi was known as Yuri Ishikawa, a Warrior Monk of Mt. Hiei, chose to break the path of the Buddhist Monks, and embraced the Christianity. Banished for his actions, he traveled west, learning many cultures and people that came his way. By the time Yuri had reached China, he had become a man in his mid 40's. During his stay, stories have been told about a mythical weapon that restored youth, and grants immortality to the bearer. Fear of death, Yuri went on a quest to find the legendary piece.
Yuris' quest came to an end 10 years later in the Mountains of Tibet. With the help of a young monk, he found the artifact encased in a block of gold. With death nearing him, Yuri killed the young monk and took the Mythical Weapon for himself. He read aloud the ancient encryption written on the block, and his youth returned. Yuri was granted the power of immortality. But misfortune came, he was cursed. The Weapon also housed the spirit of Tora no Shi the “Tiger of Death”. Legends recorded that the Sword was once owned by a Demon Warlord who controlled the Oni Warriors, and when they had defeated Tora no Shi they incased his soul within the blade.
Many years passed, and Yuri became corrupted by the power of Tora no Shi, but he embraced the curse and took the Warlords name onto himself; Becoming a Legend in Japan for his killings of Political Leaders, Honor Guards, and Warlords. When the Modern Ages entered Tora no Shi, it seemed, had arisen from the ashes. Joining the Yakuza, Tora made a quick name for himself as being a relentless, enigmatic and sufficient assassin. His talents led him to a job for The Brotherhood of Darkness, and a mission to assassinate mafia hitman, Jackie Estacado. What would have been a routine job went astray. Jackie managed to defend himself thanks to The Darkness.
Tora's assignment was modified to accommodate the Yakuza's alternative plans for an unexpected rival, as well as Estacado in one clean sweep. It was during this assignment that Tora first encountered Ian Christian Nottingham, #1 ranked assassin in the world. The two battled, but when Nottingham was suddenly made host to both the Witchblade, and the Darkness Tora knew this was not a battle he could win. Killing Ian was still priority, but he decided it was best handled when Ian was not a ticking time bomb, and thus departed unscathed. Three years have passed since his encounter with Nottingham, and now Tora is back and ready to confront the elite assassin once again. This time he isn't leaving without the honor of succeeding the title.
Other:
Weapon: Tora no Shi; Ivory Cane and a Marble Tiger Headpiece that houses a twin bladed sword.
Martial Arts: Mt. Hiei Teachings, Judo, Karate, Kendo, Aikido, Lo Fu Do, Tai Chi Quan
Alias: Tora no Shi
Age: 28
Sex: Male
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Height: 5 ft. 10 inch.
Weight: 150 lbs.
Blood type: O
Occupation: Assassin
Physical Description:
Athletic Body Structure, Martial Arts practitioner, Signature Yakuza Tattoo; Ruby Tiger and Jade Dragon intertwined in a battle that runs along his back, shoulder and chest.
Background Information:
The History of Christians in Japan dates back to 1552 when Portuguese traders and Jesuit missionaries landed on the shores of Kyushi. Thirty years later, 200 churches were established to accommodate the nation's 150,000 Christians. In the beginning, the foreign religion appeared to enjoy a swift rise in power and prominence. The visiting Francis Xavier may have led warlord Oda Nobunaga to destroy the sohei, the warrior monks of Mt. Hiei and the ancestors of the present day "Shi," Ana Ishikawa. However, not all of the Ishikawas followed the path of these tendai Buddhist monks. One branch of the family embraced Christianity despite the rising persecution and thus produced the anomalous "saintly warrior" Yuri Ishikawa, better known in legend as Tora no Shi ... the Tiger of Death!
History:
During the Tokugawa Era, Tora no Shi was known as Yuri Ishikawa, a Warrior Monk of Mt. Hiei, chose to break the path of the Buddhist Monks, and embraced the Christianity. Banished for his actions, he traveled west, learning many cultures and people that came his way. By the time Yuri had reached China, he had become a man in his mid 40's. During his stay, stories have been told about a mythical weapon that restored youth, and grants immortality to the bearer. Fear of death, Yuri went on a quest to find the legendary piece.
Yuris' quest came to an end 10 years later in the Mountains of Tibet. With the help of a young monk, he found the artifact encased in a block of gold. With death nearing him, Yuri killed the young monk and took the Mythical Weapon for himself. He read aloud the ancient encryption written on the block, and his youth returned. Yuri was granted the power of immortality. But misfortune came, he was cursed. The Weapon also housed the spirit of Tora no Shi the “Tiger of Death”. Legends recorded that the Sword was once owned by a Demon Warlord who controlled the Oni Warriors, and when they had defeated Tora no Shi they incased his soul within the blade.
Many years passed, and Yuri became corrupted by the power of Tora no Shi, but he embraced the curse and took the Warlords name onto himself; Becoming a Legend in Japan for his killings of Political Leaders, Honor Guards, and Warlords. When the Modern Ages entered Tora no Shi, it seemed, had arisen from the ashes. Joining the Yakuza, Tora made a quick name for himself as being a relentless, enigmatic and sufficient assassin. His talents led him to a job for The Brotherhood of Darkness, and a mission to assassinate mafia hitman, Jackie Estacado. What would have been a routine job went astray. Jackie managed to defend himself thanks to The Darkness.
Tora's assignment was modified to accommodate the Yakuza's alternative plans for an unexpected rival, as well as Estacado in one clean sweep. It was during this assignment that Tora first encountered Ian Christian Nottingham, #1 ranked assassin in the world. The two battled, but when Nottingham was suddenly made host to both the Witchblade, and the Darkness Tora knew this was not a battle he could win. Killing Ian was still priority, but he decided it was best handled when Ian was not a ticking time bomb, and thus departed unscathed. Three years have passed since his encounter with Nottingham, and now Tora is back and ready to confront the elite assassin once again. This time he isn't leaving without the honor of succeeding the title.
Other:
Weapon: Tora no Shi; Ivory Cane and a Marble Tiger Headpiece that houses a twin bladed sword.
Martial Arts: Mt. Hiei Teachings, Judo, Karate, Kendo, Aikido, Lo Fu Do, Tai Chi Quan
