Scumbase

The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. To say that dying without reaching one's aim is to die a dog's death is the frivolous way of sophisticates. When pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one's aim.

We all want to live. And in large part we make our logic according to what we like. But not having attained our aim and continuing to live is cowardice. This is a thin dangerous line. To die without gaming one's aim is a dog's death and fanaticism. But there is no shame in this. This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai. If by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling.

The excerpt above is from The Way of the Samurai and you can see the full text following this handy and elegantly wrought link.  It gives a sort of subtext to an often misunderstood bit of Japanese culture ... the samurai and his role in feudal society.

Samurai's Blood is in its infancy as a webcomic, but shows a great deal of promise.  The opening scenes, which are sure to be a prologue to a much wider story, tell of the munificence of a Japanese leader, one that his family will shortly come to regret.  You cannot help but admire the enlightened thinking of the man.  And you cannot fail to be caught up in the skullduggery, plots and underhanded shenanigans that make up political ambition in Asian feudal culture.  

Samurai's Blood has all the earmarks of a great thriller.  You know it's like an onion before you start; you know that careful peeling of the layers will reveal more layers of subterfuge and tears.  The smart thing to do with an onion is quickly dissect it .. but wherever there is a blade .. there is a samurai wielding it.  Be careful.