ishikawa_ayame

I have been in the SCA for over 10 years with no real persona to speak of. I have a registered name and device, but that is really because I became the Herald of our little group and thought I should understand the process.

I have been lurking around the internet for a while now, checking out all things Japanese in the SCA time frame (pre 1600).
Don’t worry; I am hitting the books as well. You know those rectangular things, with printed pages.
I would really like to try a Japanese persona, but if I do it I want it to be right. I’m a little scared about it for several reasons.

1. Some in the SCA say there is not room for non Western Europeans.
2. It would get me a lot of attention, those who know me know attention is undesired.
3. If I do it poorly and reflect badly on others doing Japanese right.
4. I’m sure there are more that I just can’t think of right now.

OK so 1, I guess they can just go to hell…
2 would need some work; I’m getting anxious just thinking about it…
3, well research I guess. And there are many lovely ladies and gentlemen doing it and they all seem to be very helpful.
4, if I spend all my time thinking of reasons not to do it I will never get started.

Mostly it comes down to the whole unwanted attention. I have never been one to scream “LOOK AT MEEEEE!!!!”
Anyone who has seen my garb knows I’m not flashy. I would rather blend into the background.

But Japanese garb is so beautiful! Also, I am a big girl and it can’t look any worse on me than my boring T-tunics. In fact I suspect I will look better.
It looks like the garb is well within my sewing abilities.
I find the history interesting. All those great diaries are really fun to read. And my sisters and I are working on learning Japanese anyway…

I did speak out loud my interest in doing Japanese persona at last weekend’s event and was given warm supportive comments.