I was noticing some of the rabbit themes surrounding Usagi recently,
including her peculiar hair-style, and that led to an obvious comparison
with Sasami's hairstyle.  This led me to consider the pairing of Sasami and
Ryo-ohki, and to wonder what other rabbit theme stuff in TMRO might
intentionally refer to Sasami, AKA Pretty Sammy.
        Now the question part comes.  European and Japanese notions about
rabbits seem superficially similar; however, I have read a cultural history
of Japan that pointed out that decorated Samurai armour often has rabbit
ears and sometimes rabbit masks and other such, but provided no elaboration.
To european origin culture, this seems quite incongruous.  Thinking on it,
there are quite a few rabbit themes and costumes in Anime (UY OVAs, to name
one), that seem just a little odd to the overwhelming european rabbit ideas
of timidity, innocense and fertility.
        If some bi-cultural person could please elaborate on what may going
on with rabbit themes, or suggest an available english-language book, I
would appreciate it.  In Sasami's case, does it have anything to do with her
being a junior princess?  Or is there just a surfiet of princesses in Anime?

BTW: In considering the hairstyles, I realized that an old Tenchi question
has been gradually answered, and a new one raised, about Washu and Ryoko.
The artists have been consistant.  Whenever Ryoko gets dunked in water, her
hair slicks down to exactly the same basic hairstyle as all the Jurian
ladies (Sasami's double tails are tied up and out by special ornaments).  So
it would seem definate that Ryoko and Washu's hairstyle is an affectation;
which raises another question, why would Kagato have taught Ryoko to keep a
hairstyle identical with her mothers?
        Granted such a hairstyle increases the fierce, oni-like aspect of
Ryoko; if we go by the various notes in the books, Kagato kept his
slave-warrior away from all normal human contact and culture, and she took
her first lessons in humanity under the dubious tutelage of a tree (Funaho).

                                Greg M.