Through the Eyes of the former Consul General Yamada (June, 2017 - July, 2020)
2019/5/28
Two Cherry Blossom Festivals - Part 1: Sakura-Con
This two-part series will focus on two springtime festivals in Seattle that have a connection to Japan: Sakura-Con and Sakura Matsuri. Both events have the word “sakura,” or “cherry blossom,” in their respective names, but the content of each event is somewhat different. This entry is about Sakura-Con.
Sakura-Con is held for three days at the Washington State Convention Center every year during Easter Weekend. It is a festival centered on Japanese manga and anime culture. When Sakura-Con began under its current name in 2000, there were just 800 or so attendees, but now each year it attracts over 20,000 people. While some people attend in their everyday clothes, there are also many attendees that enjoy cosplay. Those that enjoy cosplay dress up as their favorite characters, showing off and appreciating each other’s elaborate costumes. I, like many others in Japan, grew up reading and watching various manga and anime series. When I saw cosplayers dressed as characters I liked from my youth (such as Susumu Kodai from Space Battleship Yamato), I was filled with nostalgia. I was very happy to see Japanese pop culture being loved so much by American people.
Just as our Consulate has done in the past, I was asked to give a greeting during the opening ceremony for this year’s Sakura-Con as well. Seeing as this year happens to be the 40th Anniversary of the Mobile Suit Gundam series, my colleagues and I decided to dress up as Gundam characters and perform a skit. I was Char Aznable, Lars Henriksen was Amuro Ray, Maggie Thorpe was Sayla Mass, and Lynn Miyauchi was Haro the Robot. The costumes themselves were purchased online from Japan, though Char’s equipment (helmet, eye mask and laser gun) was made by my wife, who enjoys handicrafts. At my age, it took a bit of courage to cosplay among the young attendees, but in these types of situations one must simply steel oneself and follow through.
Lastly, I would also like to share the script for the skit, which Maggie and Lynn wrote, along with my own explanations of the scene. You can also watch the video here.
－Amuro walks onstage－
(Amuro is playing with a Zakku figurine)
AMURO: Gotcha!
－Sayla walks onstage－
（Sayla is shocked that Amuro is playing with the figurine）
SAYLA: Amuro! What are you doing? It’s already been 24 hours since we crashed on Earth. You’re supposed to be fixing our Gundam not playing with dolls!
AMURO: These action figures are tools to relieve my stress! Besides, I can’t make any repairs because the only detectable source of Gundanium is up on the moon [pointing to the sky]! There’s no Gundanium down here on Earth!
SAYLA: Woah! What happened to your face? How did you grow a full beard overnight?
AMURO: What happened to your hair? I don’t know, maybe we’re in some weird time warp or something.
SAYLA: Wait…this doesn’t make any sense. Haro! What year is it?
－Haro enters the stage－
HARO: The year two-thousand nineteen HARO !
AMURO & SAYLA: WHAT?!?
SAYLA: We’re definitely NOT in the Universal Century!
－Char saunters onto the stage－
AMURO: Char! I haven’t seen you since the Battle of A Baoa Qu!
CHAR: Uh…Do you know who I am?
AMURO: Of course I do! You’re Char, we’ve met in battle many times!
CHAR: Sorry, but my name is Yoichiro not Char. I do not care to admit to the mistakes of my youth, but I actually chose to become the Consul General of Japan instead of becoming a Zaku pilot. We must live with our choices, so my job is to encourage everyone to learn more about Japan and Japanese culture and to study hard, so that you can read manga and watch anime in Japanese!
And today, I’m enjoying one of the many great things about Sakura-Con: cosplay! Selfie time!
[Char pulls out phone & takes selfies with Amuro & Sayla]
SAYLA: Sakura-what?
CHAR: Sakura-Con! Look out there. [points out at audience]
You crash-landed in the perfect place! You’re in Seattle – home to cutting edge AI technology and many Gundam super fans! So don’t be sad, I’m sure that you can find someone to help you. [Motions to the audience] Am I right?
AMURO: Maybe you’re right. After all, human wisdom can go beyond these problems. So what do we do now?
CHAR: One must always plan a few steps ahead in battle. We celebrate because in our universe it’s the 40th anniversary of Gundam! Hey everyone, let’s cheer up our Gundam friends. Repeat after me “TOBE GUNDAM”!
[Call and response of “TOBE GUNDAM” with audience x3]
(Sayla bursts out singing opening theme song, terribly)
(Char coughs & picks his ear while shaking his head)
SAYLA: Oh, sorry.
CHAR: Anyhow, I’m glad you are feeling better.
AMURO: I feel great now! Thanks Char….I, mean Consul General! Let’s go enjoy Sakura-Con together!
(Sayla and Amuro encourage the audience by raising their fists in the air)
CHAR: Show Me the Power of Sakura-Con!
(Char salutes the audience. All characters exit the stage)
