In the original comic, Splinter is the pet of Hamato Yoshi, a ninja master living in Japan. Endowed with exceptional faculties for his species, he is able to learn the art of his master by mimicry when he trains.

Within his clan, Yoshi’s most formidable opponent is a ninja named Oroku Nagi. They are rivals in all fields, but especially in martial arts. They fall in love with a woman named Tang Shen, but she prefers Yoshi. After Nagi gets angry at her and hits her, Yoshi steps in and in a fit of anger, kills Nagi.

Yoshi and Shen then flee Japan and leave for New York. But they are pursued and then murdered by Nagi’s younger brother, Saki, who then becomes Shredder.