Gregory Matteson said:
> 
>         Yes, Funaho is Yosho's ship, (named after his mother B-)), she is
> also the tree of the Masaki shrine, a sentient being, and Ryoko's jailor/
> confidant for 700 years.

    Are Jurai trees sentient beings?  If they are, then they have a
    *long* way to go with regard to personality and individuality.

> If you look in OVA #1, near the end of the scene
> in Ryoko's cave, just as Tenchi bolted; in freeze-frame you will discover
> that the true way that Ryoko was held is that Funaho set up a hyperspace
> pocket to hold her,

    Not sure about this.  Evidence?

> and then grew her roots into Ryoko. 

    Not sure about this either, unless Funaho (the tree) has
    hyperdimensional roots (shades of Yggdrasil? :) and has
    lots of power to spare.  The cave itself was located
    beneath a ledge, and goes very far into the earth, so
    perhaps the roots outside of the seal were just from
    ordinary trees above?

>         In OVA #9 it is revealed that Ryoko is half human,

    We don't know about the "human" part, either.

> half Masu.  The
> Masu, we are told, will obey the strongest mind they are in contact with.
> Without her jewels, Ryoko was simply taken over by Funaho.  Ryoko makes
> several side remarks , especially in #6 that may be interpreted as stemming
> from her relationship with Funaho. Ryoko sings about her lessons in the cave
> on the CDs, in particular in the song "Imasara", and it is mentioned in
> published notes. Though I grant you that is not strictly cannonical to the
> pure OVA story, the elaboration I am suggesting makes sense.

    Haven't listened to the song yet, so I can't say myself.  Then
    again, if OVA 5 was any indication, much of her learning process
    involved Tenchi, observing him as he grew.

>         The fact that Ryoko grew up knowing nothing about being human,
> and first began to learn to be and want to be human while in the cave is
> consistantly carried through in her and Washu's remarks, and has a lot to
> do with their not getting along too well. (The ethical problems raised by
> Washu's conduct in the whole matter are of great(almost obsessive)interest
> to me, but should be discussed elsewhen).

    I guess even Washuu couldn't handle being the greatest scientist in
    the galaxy AND the role of "Mom" at the same time.  ^_^;


___/^_^\___ Eugene Lee
            zangief@netcom.com