Silver Samurai (Kenuichio Harada) (original) (raw)

(X-Men: Kitty Pryde - Shadow and Flame I#5) – Silver Samurai, in all silver armor, led Clan Yashida against the Path of Destiny Clan led by Yao. He killed many warriors, revealing he had only feigned defeat at Kitty's hand and that he had allowed her to wield Ginrei to save her dragons Lockheed and Puff. He told Kitty it had been an honor to aid her.

(Wolverine III#36) – When Wolverine attacked the Prime Minister, Silver Samurai leapt to defend him, sparring with Wolverine before learning Wolverine had been after Harada all along.

(Wolverine III#37) – Silver Samurai nobly battled Wolverine, managing to put a sword through his abdomen, but Wolverine severed his right hand in return. Samurai gave Wolverine intel on his past.

(Wolverine Origins I#2) – In Tokyo, Silver Samurai had a tele-conference with the American president and Dr. Redford about the Muramasa blade. He discussed giving intel to Wolverine about it, having lost his hand in the conflict and he detailed how protecting ancient secrets had been part of his family's legacy and honor.

(Wolverine Origins I#33 – BTS) – Wolverine learned about Samurai's call to the president.

(Wolverine Origins I#42) – In Yokohama, Japan, Silver Samurai called the heads of the Clan Yashida, who sought to form an alliance with the Hand, but Samurai was opposed. Wolverine was teleported in via the vigilante Cloak and he killed the Hand members. Samurai refused to help in the fight until the Clan members dropped the alliance with the Hand. Using a prosthetic hand, Silver Samurai fought Wolverine, who drew the Muramasa blade. Wolverine asked Harada to train him in the use of the blade.

(Wolverine Origins I#43) – Over the course of five days, Silver Samurai trained Wolverine with swords tirelessly. Pressed for time, Wolverine left his training early. He thanked Samurai, who promised to collect his debt soon.

(Wolverine Origins I#45) – Wolverine assembled a team including Bruce Banner, Silver Samurai, Skaar and Cloak to battle and defeat Ruby Thursday as part of his plan to defeat Romulus.

(Wolverine Origins I#48 – BTS) – In battle, Wolverine reflected on how Samurai taught him to use his heart and fight his rage in battle.

(New Avengers I#28 (fb) – BTS) – "Elektra" (actually a Skrull impostor) took over the Hand and it united the Yakuza to take over the underworld. Samurai went to his father's home in Osaka to protect it after hearing about the murders of his allies including Santahori.

(New Avengers I#28) – The Avengers invaded the Yashida home in Osaka and Harada was furious to see Wolverine there. He was shocked to see a wounded Echo there (she having recently been resurrected by the Hand) as well as another mysterious Ronin (this one Hawkeye/Clint Barton). Samurai attacked, furious that the heroes had come to him. "Elektra" and the Hand then arrived.

(New Avengers I#29) – "Elektra" and the Hand battled the Avengers as the Samurai hung back.

(New Avengers I#30) – Samurai watched as the fight between the Avengers and the Hand continued.

(New Avengers I#31 - BTS) – Samurai saw "Elektra" killed and revealed as a Skrull. The Avengers departed peacefully.

(Dark Reign Files I#1 – BTS) – Silver Samurai was researched by Quasimodo for Norman Osborn.

(Dark Wolverine I#88 – BTS) – Daken threatened Hideki Nagona, the personal attorney of Silver Samurai and ordered him to lure Harada to his apartment later.

(Secret Warriors I#2 (fb)) – Viper left Harada's bed, leaving a note for him in his Silver Samurai armor that began "Kenuichio, my love…"

(Secret Warriors I#6) – In Tokyo, Madame Hydra (Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine) and Viper negotiated with the Yashida Corporation's board of directors, taking over their holdings for the Typhon Group. To close the deal, Silver Samurai delivered to them the Leviathan box. When he realized he'd been manipulated by Viper, Samurai lashed out, severing a table with his sword.

(Secret Warriors I#11) – Silver Samurai was attacked by a group of Leviathan demons seeking the box but they realized it was gone.

(Secret Warriors I#15 – BTS) – Viper reflected on betraying Harada and how she would rather have married him, as she'd loved him.

(Wolverine IV#1/2) – Warriors of the Red Right Hand swarmed Clan Yashida's compound, determined to burn the buildings and desecrate the graves. Outnumbered and pierced by arrows, the badly wounded Silver Samurai fought for his family's honor. Though he prevailed, saving the graves if not the buildings, Silver Samurai's injuries were terminal. Stumbling to Mariko's grave, he informed his beloved sister he would see her soon, and thought with sadness of the things he would miss - the smell of cherry blossoms, the feel of cold steel, the taste of well water. His final thought before dying was that he would miss his son.

(Wolverine IV#3) – In Hell, Silver Samurai was kept by the devil and demons. In front of Logan, the devil split Samurai into pieces, torturing him.

(Wolverine IV#20 – BTS) – The Kingpin was approached with an opportunity to fill the vacancy in the Japanese underworld, now that Silver Samurai was dead.

(Wolverine IV#300 - BTS) – Wolverine and Yukio visited the grave of Silver Samurai and she showed him into the Silver Samurai's secret treasure room, full of old samurai gear. The Japanese underworld rushed to war, seeking to determine who Harada's heir was. Shin Harada soon adopted the codename Silver Samurai.

SECRET WARS III HAPPEND

(Cable IV#1) - Silver Samurai hosted a fight between Cable and Wolverine in the Quarry, soon declaring Cable the winner.

(X-Force VI#13 - BTS) - Silver Samurai wrote about the price of holding a sword.

(Wolverine VII#6) - Silver Samurai was practicing his sword skills at the Pointe in Krakoa when Wolverine arrived, wanting intel on where Muramasa was, and Wolverine sparred with Harada to earn the intel. Silver Samurai, who was angry at not having been chosen for the tournament, gave Wolverine his intel after Samurai was bested.

(Marauders I#17) - On Krakoa, Silver Samurai hosted a Crucible event, where Storm faced Callisto as many watched (including the Fenris Twins, who had volunteered to kill Callisto). Callisto soon died so she could be reborn.

(New Mutants IV#17 (fb) - BTS) - Silver Samurai once told Warpath that he admired his knife work.

(New Mutants IV#18) - Silver Samurai hosted a new crucible between Mirage and Karma.

(X-Force VI#20 - BTS) - Silver Samurai killed an opponent during the Crucible.

(Marvel Voices: Identity#1/8) - On Krakoa, Silver Samurai and Armor created a new tradition of pink sushi with alien fish, shared with Daken and Surge.

(Marauders I#25 - BTS) - Silver Samurai continued training individuals in the Quarry.

(X-Force VI#28) - In the Crucible, Silver Samurai defeated Kid Omega, who had built a new Juggernaut body for himself.

Comments: Created by Steve Gerber, Bob Brown and Jim Mooney.

Silver Samurai changed a lot in his early appearances. His first costume in Daredevil 111 was very different than his later suits. It wasn't until Chris Claremont wrote him a few times that he developed some depth, becoming the Japanese lord tied to the Clan Yashida. He was said to wield an energy sword until Wolverine II#2, when it was revealed he was a mutant who channeled energy through his swords.

Silver Samurai has received profiles in nearly every incarnation of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe including some of the Encyclopedias.

In some sections of this profile, I chose to include appearances directly related to Shingen and Mariko Yashida to illustrate understanding of Silver Samurai's family history and that of Clan Yashida. Silver Samurai did not appear in those issues unless directly mentioned.

Profile by Chadman.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Silver Samurai has no known connections to:

And he should not be confused with:

images: (without ads)
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z HC#10, Silver Samurai profile (main image; original source Rogue III#9, p19, pan4)
Daredevil I#111, cover (original costume)
Marvel Team-Up I#57 (classic costume)
Spider-Woman I#42, p6, pan1 (vs Spider-Woman)
Spider-Woman I#43, p10, pan4-5 (out of armor)
New Mutants I#6, cover (with full red flower)
Wolverine II#2, p6, pan3 (with red star on chest)
Wolverine II#3, p10, pan2-3 (in mask, sword practice)
Wolverine: Doombringer I#1, p22, pan3 (in robe with sword)
X-Men Unlimited I#3, p30, pan2 (in green robes)
Sunfire and Big Hero Six I#1, p8, pan1 (with Hiro)
Wolverine I#150, p8, pan1 (with bottle)
Elektra II#3, p21, pan1 (silver armor)
Rogue III#9, p20, pan4 (leaping with sword)
X-Men: Kitty Pryde: Shadow and Flame I#4, p12, pan6 (in robe, bowing)
X-Men: Kitty Pryde: Shadow and Flame I#5, p18, pan2 (in silver armor)
Cable IV#1, p5, pan3 (glowing red face)

Appearances:
Daredevil I#111 (June, 1974) – Steve Gerber (writer), Bob Brown (penciler), Jim Mooney (inker), Roy Thomas (editor)
Daredevil I#112 (July, 1974) – Steve Gerber (writer), Gene Colan (penciler), Frank Giacoia (inker), Roy Thomas (editor)
Marvel Team-Up I#57 (May, 1977) - Chris Claremont (writer), Sal Buscema (penciler), Dave Hunt (inker), Archie Goodwin (editor)
Marvel Team-Up I#74 (October, 1978) – Chris Claremont (writer), Bob Hall (penciler), Marie Severin (inker), Bob Hall (editor)
Marvel Team-Up I#83-85 (July-September, 1979) – Chris Claremont (writer), Sal Buscema, Steve Leialoha (artists), Al Milgrom (editor)
Spider-Woman I#42-43 (February-March, 1982) – Chris Claremont (writer), Steve Leialoha (penciler), Bob Wiacek (inker), Denny O’Neil (editor)
Wolverine I#1,3,4 (September, November, December, 1982) – Chris Claremont (writer), Frank Miller (penciler), Josef Rubinstein (inker), Louise Jones (editor)
New Mutants I#6 (August, 1983) – Chris Claremont (writer), Sal Buscema (penciler), A. Gill, J. Tartag (inkers), Louise Jones (editor)
Uncanny X-Men I#172-174 (August-October, 1983) – Chris Claremont (writer), Paul Smith(penciler), Bob Wiacek (inker), Louise Jones (editor)
Secret Wars II#7 (January, 1986) – Jim Shooter (writer), Al Milgrom (penciler), Steve Leialoha (inker), Bob Budiansky (editor)
New Mutants I#53 (July, 1987) – Chris Claremont (writer), Rick Leonardi (penciler), Terry Austin (inker), Ann Nocenti (editor)
New Mutants I#54 (August, 1987) – Chris Claremont (writer), Sal Buscema (penciler), Terry Austin (inker), Ann Nocenti (editor)
Wolverine II#2 (December, 1988) – Chris Claremont (writer), John Buscema (penciler), Klaus Janson (inker), Bob Harras (editor)
Wolverine II#3 (January, 1989) – Chris Claremont (writer), John Buscema (penciler), Al Williamson (inker), Bob Harras (editor)
Wolverine: Doombringer I#1 (November, 1997) – Doug Moench (writer), Michael Outkiewicz (penciler), Jimmy Palmiotti (inker), Mark Bernardo (editor)
Wolverine II#56 (July, 1992) – Larry Hama (writer), Marc Silvestri (penciler), Dan Green (inker), Bob Harras (editor)
Wolerine I#57 (July, 1992) – Larry Hama (writer), Marc Silvestri (penciler), Green, Milgrom, Rubinstein (inkers), Bob Harras (editor)
Cable: Blood and Metal I#2 (November, 1992) – Fabian Nicieza (writer), John Romita Jr (penciler), Dan Green (inker), Bob Harras (editor)
X-Men II#21 (June, 1993) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Brandon Peterson (penciler), Dan Panosian (inker), Bob Harras (editor)
X-Men II#22-23 (July-August, 1993) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Andy Kubert (penciler), Mark Pennington (inker), Bob Harras (editor)
X-Men Unlimited I#3 (December, 1993) – Fabian Nicieza (writer), Mike McKone (penciler), Mark McKenna, Mick Gray, Steve Moncuse (inkers), Bob Harras (editor)
Wolverine II#82 (June, 1994) – Larry Hama (writer), Bob McLeod, Adam Kubert (pencilers), Mark Farmer, Joe Kubert (inkers), Bob Harras (editor)
Wolverine II '96 Annual (October, 1996) – Jeph Loeb, Ralph Macchio (writers), Ed McGuinness (penciler), Nathan Massengill, Norman Lee (inkers), Mark Powers (editor)
Wolverine II#108 (December, 1996) – Larry Hama (writer), Anthony Winn (penciler), Dan Green, Vince Russell (inkers), Bob Harras (editor)
Elektra II#15 (February, 1998) – Larry Hama (writer), Mike Deodato Jr (penciler), Scott Koblish (inker), Bobbie Chase (editor)
Sunfire & Big Hero Six#1-3 (September-November, 1998) – Scott Lobdell (writer), Gus Vasquez (penciler), Bud LaRosa (inker), Jaye Gardner (editor)
Alpha Flight II#17 (December, 1998) – Steven Seagle (writer), Duncan Rouleau, Gus Vazquez, Hunter & Rubinstein (artists), Jaye Gardner (editor)
Thunderbolts I#25 (April, 1999) – Kurt Busiek (writer), Mark Bagley (penciler), Bob Wiacek, Al Vey (inkers), Tom Brevoort (editor)
X-Men Unlimited I#24 (September, 1999) – Joe Pruett (writer), Pascal Alixe (penciler), Scott Koblish, Andrew Pepoy, Hector Collazo, Rodney Ramos, John Czop (inkers), Jason Liebig (editor)
Wolverine I#150-153 (May-August, 2000) – Steve Skroce (writer/penciler), Larry Stucker (inker), Mark Powers (editor)
Elektra II#3-5 (November, 2001-January, 2002) – Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Chuck Austen (artist), Stuart Moore (editor)
Big Hero Six I#3/2 (January, 2009) - Jordan D. White (writer/editor), Jhazmine Ruiz (artist)
Rogue III#7 (March, 2005) – Tony Bedard (writer), Karl Moline (penciler), Rick Magyar, Drew Hennessy (inkers), Stephanie Moore (editor)
Rogue III#8 (April, 2005) – Tony Bedard (writer), Karl Moline (penciler), Magyar, Pennington, Hennessy (inkers), Stephanie Moore (editor)
Rogue III#9 (May, 2005) – Tony Bedard (writer), Deric Donovan (artist), Stephanie Moore (editor)
Rogue III#11 (July, 2005) – Tony Bedard (writer), Deric Donovan (artist), Stephanie Moore (editor)
X-Men: The 198 Files (January, 2006) – various writers, Jeff Youngquist (editor)
New Avengers I#11-13 (November, 2005-January, 2006) – Brian Michael Bendis (writer), David Finch (penciler), Dany Miki (inker), Tom Brevoort (editor)
X-Men: Kitty Pryde: Shadows and Flame I#4-5 (November-December, 2005) – Akira Yoshida (writer), Paul Smith (artist), Mike Marts (editor)
Wolverine III#36-37 (January-February, 2006) – Daniel Way (writer), Javier Saltares (penciler), Mark Texerira (inker), Axel Alonso (editor)
Wolverine Origins I#2 (July, 2006) – Daniel Way (writer), Steve Dillon (artist), Axel Alonso (editor)
Wolverine Origins I#33 (April, 2009) – Daniel Way (writer), Doug Braithwaite (penciler), Bill Reinhold (inker), John Barber (editor)
Wolverine Origins I#42-43 (January-February, 2010) – Daniel Way (writer), Doug Braithwaite (penciler), Bill Reinhold (inker), John Barber (editor)
Wolverine Origins I#45 (May, 2010) – Daniel Way (writer), Doug Braithwaite (penciler), Bill Reinhold, Mike Manley (inkers), Jeanine Schaefer (editor)
Wolverine Origins I#48 (July, 2010) – Daniel Way (writer), Will Conrad (artist), Jeanine Schaefer (editor)
New Avengers I#28-31 (May-August, 2007) – Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Leinil Yu (artist), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Dark Reign Files I#1 (April, 2009) – various writers, Jeff Youngquist (editor)
Secret Warriors I#2 (May, 2009) – Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman (writers), Stefano Casselli (artist), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Secret Warriors I#6 (September, 2009) – Brian Michael Bendis, Jonathan Hickman (writers), Stefano Casselli (artist), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Secret Warriors I#11 (February, 2010) – Jonathan Hickman (writer), Stefano Casselli (artist), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Secret Warriors I#15 (June, 2010) – Jonathan Hickman (writer), Stefano Casselli (artist), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Dark Wolverine I#88 (September, 2010) – Daniel Way, Marjorie Liu (writers), Stephen Segovia, Paco Diaz (pencilers), Cam Smith (inker), Jeanine Schaefer (editor)
Secret Warriors I#26 (June, 2011) – Jonathan Hickman (writer), Alessandro Vitti (artist), Lauren Sankovitch (editor)
Wolverine IV#1/2 (November, 2010) - Jason Aaron (writer), Jason Latour (artist), Jeanine Schaefer (editor)
Wolverine IV#3 (January, 2011) – Jason Aaron (writer), Renato Guedes (artist), Jeanine Schaefer (editor)
Wolverine IV#20 (February, 2012) – Jason Aaron (writer), Renato Guedes (artist), Jeanine Schaefer (editor)
Wolverine IV#300 (March, 2012) – Jason Aaron (writer), Adam Kubert, Paul Mounts, Ron Garney, Jason Keith, Steve Sanders (artists), Jeanine Schaefer (editor)
Wolverine IV#301 (April, 2012) – Jason Aaron (writer), Billy Tan, Jason Keith, Steven Sanders (artists), Jeanine Schaefer (editor)
Cable IV#1 (May, 2020) - Gerry Duggan (writer), Phil Noto (artist), Jordan White (editor)
X-Force VI#13 (December, 2020) - Benjamin Percy (writer), Viktor Bogdanovic (artist), Mark Basso (editor)
Wolverine VII#6 (December, 2020) - Benjamin Percy (writer), Viktor Bogdanov (artist), Jordan White (editor)
Marauders I#17 (March, 2021) - Gerry Duggan (writer), Stefano Caselli (artist), Jordan White (editor)
Wolverine: Black, White & Blood#3/1 (April, 2021) - John Ridley (writer), Jorge Fornes (artist), Mark Basso (editor)
New Mutants IV#17-18 (May-June, 2021) – Vita Ayala (writer), Rod Reis (artist), Jordan White (editor)
X-Force VI#20 (August, 2021) - Benjamin Percy (writer), Robert Gill (artist), Jordan White (editor)
Marvel Voices: Identity#1/8 (October, 2021) - Ken Niimura (writer/artist), Darren Shan (editor)
Marauders I#25 (October, 2021) - Gerry Duggan (writer), Phil Noto (artist), Jordan White (editor)
X-Force VI#28 (April 2022) - Jason Aaron (writer), Robert Gill (artist), Jordan White (editor)

First Posted: 08/10/2018
Last updated: 04/28/2023

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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