Researched for 5 years, Stan Sakai won the Eisner Award for "Best Serialized Story" for the Grasscutter story arc.

This is one of the Artist's Proofs sold by Stan directly to his fans at conventions.

"This is number 25AP of 350 copies of the hardcover edition ... each of which has been individually signed, numbered, and illustrated by Stan Sakai." It has a bound-in limitation page with a 4 inch square where Stan has drawn a full scene with Usagi and a tokage with mountains and clouds in the distance "Eep!"

Collects Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 3 issues 13-22, plus a cover gallery. Introduction by Will Eisner.

From the publisher:

Forged in heaven, it is called Kusanagi, the Grasscutter--the lost sword of the Gods. This legendary blade could potentially tip the scales of power for the shadowy Conspiracy of Eight in their quest to overthrow the Shogunate and reinstate the Emperor. With the help of a witch and the souls of dead warriors, they plan to recover the lost sword and bring the Shogun down. But when the fates place the Grasscutter in the hands of masterless samurai Usagi Yojimbo, the ronin rabbit becomes the focus of a deadly struggle for possession of the dread blade. And this crisis pales beside the dark possibilities should the sword come to the demonic warrior, Jei! Grasscutter is Stan Sakai's longest and most ambitious Usagi tale to date: a sweeping epic showcasing one of comics' most individual artistic voices at the peak of his creative skills.