Skiyaki is an associate of Kato's who was mentioned in at least three episodes of the Green Hornet radio series. The character is paid homage to when Kato adopts the name when undercover in the Green Hornet crossover arc of the Dick Tracy comic strip.
In the radio series[]
Skiyaki was a New York City waiter who was friends with Kato and would tip him off about the inside criminal information he became privy to while at work. Skiyaki was mentioned in at least three episodes: Episode 121, where his information assists in bringing the corrupt car salesman, Blenehim, to justice. In this same episode, Britt admits his fear that Skiyaki might piece together the reason why the Green Hornet consistently interferes in the crimes that he notifies Kato of. Later, in episode 145 his information helps put to stop an illegal arms trade. Finally, in Episode 156 his tip helps stop a forger who has copied important plans regarding a merger of major oil companies. It is also in this episode, where Skiyaki's name is finally revealed. Britt's worries that Skiyaki might deduce the Green Hornet's identity are abetted over time, and he eventually mentions that they ought to think of a reward for him in return for all of the tips he's passed their way.[1]
In the Dick Tracy comic strip[]
- Main article: Kato (Dick Tracy comic strip)
When the gangster Cyrus Topper travels to Dick Tracy's city with the goal of forming an alliance with the criminal organization known as the Apparatus, Kato poses as a domestic servant named "Skiyaki" and gets himself hired by Topper, who chronically mispronounces his name. Once he is able to supply the necessary information about Topper's activities to the Green Hornet, Kato abandons the guise and reunites with the Hornet. The pair eventually incapacitate Topper and his gang, leaving them for the police to collect.
Etymology[]
Skiyaki is a dish in Japanese cuisine that consists of sliced meat, typically beef, rapidly fried with vegetables.
- ↑ Grams, Martin, and Terry Salomonson. The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics, and Television. Churchville, MD: OTR Publishing, L.L.C., 2010. Print. pp. 74