Duxx: The first American Ninja - Byakko’s Rage, Katana hero prop Concept

Duxx: The first American Ninja is a personal project based on the magazine articles and memoirs of martial artist Frank Dux with influences from films like Bloodsport (1988), Enter the Dragon (1973), Kickboxer (1989) and Double Team (1997). The project follows Frank Wallace Duxx’s life from when he first meets and trains with his Shidoshi, Senzo "Tiger" Tanaka to his military and CIA service and finally his participation in an underground martial arts tournament known as the Kumite.

This first post are concepts for a legendary Katana which belonged to his master Senzo "Tiger" Tanaka and is a pivotal prop which causes Duxx and Tanaka to meet for the first time.

The story of the legendary Katana Byakko’s Rage.

A legendary sword passed down from generations throughout the Tanaka clan. The blade was found by a humble farmer, ancestor of Senzo Tanaka and was used to defend his village from a swarm of bandits. It is said that the spirit of the Yokai Byakko came to this farmer in a dream and lead him to the sword itself. Tanaka’s ancestor was one of a brave few villagers and ex samurai who sought to defend their village from a collective of bandits who were frequently attacking the settlement. When Tanaka’s ancestor picked up the sword he could feel a calming wind whisper to his soul and without any thought felt his body move and attack with the ferociousness of a 1000 Tigers. The sword is now passed down to generation to generation of the first born Tanaka son. It was currently in the possession of Senzo Tiger Tanaka before a home burglary incident which lost him his family, his sword and legacy.