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The Iga Province of Japan is the birthplace of a race of martial arts masters of ninjutsu, known as Shadowmasters. While the true origins of the legendary race of Japanese warriors are shrouded in mystery, Japanese legend states that the Shadowmasters were half human and half demon, and possessed mystical talents. For centuries, the Shadowmasters served as protectors of Iga Province and its people in times of internal strife in feudal Japan. | The Iga Province of Japan is the birthplace of a race of martial arts masters of ninjutsu, known as Shadowmasters. While the true origins of the legendary race of Japanese warriors are shrouded in mystery, Japanese legend states that the Shadowmasters were half human and half demon, and possessed mystical talents. For centuries, the Shadowmasters served as protectors of Iga Province and its people in times of internal strife in feudal Japan. | ||
After the surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II, U.S. Army Captain James Richards took command, overseeing the government in the Iga province. The mayor of Ueno, a small town in Iga, was [[Shigeru Ezaki]], one of the last of the Shadowmasters who still regularly patrolled and practiced his ninja art. | After the surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II, U.S. Army Captain James Richards took command, overseeing the government in the Iga province. The mayor of Ueno, a small town in Iga, was [[Shigeru Ezaki (Earth-616) | Shigeru Ezaki]], one of the last of the Shadowmasters who still regularly patrolled and practiced his ninja art. | ||
Ezaki's tengu demon mask protected his identity, allowing him the anonymity to practice his art in a post-war Japan where all martial arts were outlawed. Richards and Ezaki became friends following a daring rescue from the path of a driverless Army jeep of Ezaki's son, Saiih, by Richards. | Ezaki's tengu demon mask protected his identity, allowing him the anonymity to practice his art in a post-war Japan where all martial arts were outlawed. Richards and Ezaki became friends following a daring rescue from the path of a driverless Army jeep of Ezaki's son, Saiih, by Richards. | ||
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The Punisher and Kathryn followed Iris Green to the U.S., but the Shadowmasters stayed in Japan to continue their fight against their fathers' killers. | The Punisher and Kathryn followed Iris Green to the U.S., but the Shadowmasters stayed in Japan to continue their fight against their fathers' killers. | ||
* Team Leader(s): [[Hatsu Yakamoto (Earth-616)]], [[Shigeru Ezaki]] | * Team Leader(s): [[Hatsu Yakamoto (Earth-616)]], [[Shigeru Ezaki (Earth-616) | Shigeru Ezaki]] | ||
* Current Members: [[Katherine Yakamoto (Earth-616) | Katherine Yakamoto]], Yuriko Ezaki, Sojin Ezaki, Philip Richards, Rikichi, Manzo | * Current Members: [[Katherine Yakamoto (Earth-616) | Katherine Yakamoto]], Yuriko Ezaki, Sojin Ezaki, Philip Richards, Rikichi, Manzo | ||
* Former Members: Captain James Richards | * Former Members: Captain James Richards |