The crowdfunding project for the Futabasaurus (hereafter CF Futaba) at the National Museum of Nature and Science (NMNS), which I introduced previously, has been reborn. So, this time, I'm celebrating by mobilizing all the Futaba Suzuki-ryu/Futabasaurus items in my home.

First, take a look at the reborn CF Futaba.

 

Image 1 

I think it turned out pretty fossil-like, but when I took it to the NMNS and compared it to the real thing, it might be a bit too reddish. I painted it while looking at my own photos, but the color changes with just a slight difference in lighting in photos, so it's difficult.

As a bonus, the two-shot with the life-size diagram from the descriptive paper, signed by the three researchers, is, of course, identical, making me feel a strong sense of it being a "replica of the type specimen," which makes me happy.

However, I then noticed something very important. This CF Futaba has a full set of teeth on its left jaw, but the actual specimen has hardly any teeth on its left jaw. And the dentition of the CF Futaba's left jaw seems to be the same as the skull reconstruction model of the full skeleton suspended from the ceiling of the NMNS. Does this mean that the CF Futaba is a replica of what could be called a "modified type specimen," which was left unfinished for some reason after the left teeth were implanted during the process of creating a reconstruction model from the type specimen?

The circumstances surrounding the birth of this modified type specimen sound like there might be some drama, which is very interesting, but it probably happened more than 50 years ago, so it might be lost to history. I plan to investigate it using my connections at the Dinosaur Club, but...

This modified type specimen must still exist since 3D data was taken of it (probably in the NMNS storage). When I looked it up online with that in mind, I found that it was lent out by the NMNS and exhibited at the special exhibition "Maritime! Sea Reptiles and Mammals" held at the Mikasa City Museum in Hokkaido in 2019. The Mikasa City Museum's website shows a photo of a skull in the same shape as the CF Futaba... I was quite pleased with myself for figuring this out, but then I casually looked at the return items section on the CF application page and there it was, the modified type specimen!

Oh my goodness!

At that time, I hadn't even paid attention to the dentition. I feel like I've learned something.

Nevertheless, I would love to unravel the secret of the birth of this modified type specimen.

 

Since this is a Futaba special, I'd like to look back at the history of Futabasaurus, introducing epoch-making books (though there haven't been any new discoveries, as it were) from features in boys' magazines that convey the excitement of its discovery to the present day.

 

Image 2

< Photos published in books from that time >

 

Image 3

< Book covers >

 

Of course, there must be a considerable number of other books containing articles, photos, and illustrations, but I can't find them all.

 

History of Futabasaurus through books

 

* Discovered in October 1968 by Naoshi Suzuki, then a high school student, in Irimazawa, Ohkuma-machi, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture.

 

1970/04 The April issue of "Kaiyo Kagaku" (Marine Science) magazine features an article titled "Sea 'Dinosaur'/Plesiosaur" co-authored by Dr. Yoshikazu Hasegawa and Dr. Ikuo Obata, who were involved in the excavation. At this point, the name "Futaba Suzuki-ryu" was not used. "Plesiosaur" was a term invented by Dr. Hasegawa, who said he coined it because there was no easily understandable and appropriate name to describe the discovered fossil. Incidentally, the Japanese name given by the famous Matataro Yokoyama was "Jaikeiryu" (snake-necked dragon). Jaikeiryu... it certainly might be difficult to convey in words.

This joint authorship by the two great figures, Hasegawa and Obata, is extremely rare. (Image 3)

 

1970/07 Children's book "A Dragon Lived in Our Town" by Ikuo Obata published. (Image 3)

 

1970/12 The catalog for the exhibition "Earth Exhibition - Focusing on the Past and Present of the Polar Regions," which toured various locations starting at Odakyu Department Store in Tokyo, contains photographs of actual fossils of the skull, vertebrae, pelvis, and flippers currently displayed at the NMNS. It appears they were exhibited. (Image 2)

 

1971/04 "Gonen no Gakushu" (Learning for 5th Graders) (Gakken) features a story about the discovery of Futabasuzukiryu titled "Dinosaurs Lived in the Japanese Archipelago!".

The frontispiece shows a Briand-style Futabasuzukiryu vs. Shark. (Image 2)

 

1975/01 "Gakken Manga: Secrets of Fossils" features a dramatic excavation record. (Image 3)

 

1975/08 "Nobita's Dinosaur" first appearance. More details about Pii-suke can be found on Wikipedia.

 

1975/10 "Gonen no Kagaku" (Gakken) dedicates 10 color pages at the beginning to "The Resurrected Plesiosaur," featuring photos of the fossil. The full skeleton displayed at the Iwaki City Cultural Center (now at the Coal and Fossil Museum Horuru) and raw photos of the freshly excavated skull are particularly interesting. (Image 2) 

* This year, the NMNS's Natural History Museum (Midori-kan) was completed. A replica of the Futabasuzukiryu full skeleton is displayed on the 4th floor. (Image 2) The photo is from around 1981 ("Museums of Japan 10 - Natural History Museums" Kodansha 1981).

 

1976/01 "Search for the Plesiosaur" by Yoichi Takashi (text) / Hironori Ishizu (illustrations) (Rironsha) (Image 3)

 

1976/09 "The Land of Iwaki Where Dinosaurs Lived" (Taira Geological Society) (Image 3)

 

1976/05 "Wonders of the Earth" (Hamashin Kikaku) (Image 3)

* Both of these two books are local publications.

 

* In November 1977, a Futabasuzukiryu stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the NMNS was issued. This is the oldest paleontological stamp in Japan. (Image 4)

 

1979/09 "T.P. (Time Patrol) Bon ①" by Fujiko F. Fujio (Ushio Shuppan) features Futabasuzukiryu in one scene in the episode "Don't You Dare Erase Me." Unlike Pii-suke, this one is violent. (Image 3)

* "T.P. Bon" has recently been animated on Netflix and is currently streaming.

 

* October 1984, "Iwaki Coal and Fossil Museum" opens. A catalog was also released. (Image 3)

 

1988/01 "6th Grade Science - Special Feature: Dinosaurs" (Gakken)

Features a 5-page interview with Mr. Naoshi Suzuki. (Image 3)

 

1988/08 "Message from Ancient Times - Iwaki Fossil Notes" (Iwaki Regional Academic Society Publishing Department) (Image 3)

 

1990/06 "Tsuyoi zo! Kyoryu Futabasuzukiryu" (So Strong! Dinosaur Futabasuzukiryu)

Yoichi Takashi (text) / Akio Ito (illustrations) (Kokudosha - Ohanashi Nazotoki Kyoryu no Sekai). This book was later reissued in 2002 by Rironsha as "Oyogeru zo! Futabasuzukiryu" (So Swimmable! Futabasuzukiryu) (Manga Nazotoki Kyoryu Dai Koshin), and furthermore, in 2017, a new edition with illustrations by Keisho Nakayama titled "Futabasuzukiryu - A Plesiosaur That Lived in the Seas of Japan" was published by Rironsha. (Image 3)

* The author, Yoichi Takashi, is a master in the field, having written over 100 children's books about dinosaurs. In his semi-autobiographical work "Doshin Sanka" (Hymn to the Childlike Heart) by Michiko Sato (Nishinippon Shimbunsha 1995), which is structured as an interview, he also touches on his interactions with Dr. Yoshikazu Hasegawa and shares anecdotes related to Futabasuzukiryu.

 

1990/10 "Discovery of the Plesiosaur" by Naoshi Suzuki (text) / Noboru Fujimoto (illustrations) (Bunkeido) (Image 3)

* A report on the discovery by the discoverer himself.

 

1992/09 "Discovery of the Plesiosaur" by Ikuo Obata (text) / Shigeo Hirasawa (illustrations) (Fukuinkan Shoten - Shinban Kansatsu Series) (Image 3)

 

* This was originally published in 1979 as part of "Fukuinkan Shoten's Kansatsu Series," but that version is difficult to obtain.

 

1995/04 "Monthly Hobby Japan - '95 Spring/Summer New Dinosaur Collection" (Hobby Japan)

* Shigeru Yamazaki's Futabasaurus juvenile skeleton model was introduced in WILD RUSH 61, a series by Shinobu Matsumura. (Image 6)

 

* From February to September 2002, the Nippon Television program "Tetsuwan Dash" aired a project to excavate a plesiosaur near the Futabasuzukiryu excavation site. Several partial fossils were found. Dr. Hasegawa also appeared on the program.

 

* Described as Futabasaurus suzukii in May 2006.

 

* In April 2007, the Japan Gallery of the NMNS was completed. Futabasaurus was exhibited there and remains so today. (Image 3)

 

2007/08 "Iwaki Fossil Guide" (Iwaki City Tourist and Product Association) (Image 3)

 

2008/03 "The Story of the Discovery of Futabasuzukiryu" by Yoshikazu Hasegawa (Kagaku Dojin) *A must-read! (Image 3)

 

2012/07 "Let's Reconstruct Japanese Dinosaur Fossils" (Futami Shobo 2012) (Image 3) (Image 7)

* A papercraft book for making 1/10 scale skeleton models of Fukuiraptor and Futabasuzukiryu.

 

2018/08 "Futabasuzukiryu: Another Story" by Tamaki Sato (Bookman Publishing)

*A must-read! (Image 3)

 

 

Now, let's gather all the Futaba Suzuki-ryu/Futabasaurus figures & goods. Please also see Treasure House Vol.31.

 

First, from the National Museum of Nature and Science (NMNS)

Image 4

Commemorative stamp issued in 1977. In front of it are old NMNS souvenirs (Treasure House Vol.31). And the tote bag, NMNS gacha, and plush toy still sold today. Four different sizes of Colorata plush toys are sold, but only this one has the NMNS tag. It was also used as a prop in the "Solo Museum" episode of the TV Tokyo drama "Solo Activities for Women" which aired recently. I imagine there are many other apparel items like ties and socks, and stationery like notebooks and clear files, but I haven't checked them all.

The item on the right seems to be a company commemorative gift. I unfortunately don't remember where I got it. It might have been a gift. There is no mention of Futaba Suzuki-ryu or NMNS anywhere, but the company name "Tanseisha" on the plate attached to the fossil-embedded stone base is the company that handled the exhibition at the NMNS Japan Gallery. So, it might have been distributed to those involved to commemorate its completion. If so, it couldn't be anything other than Futaba Suzuki-ryu. It's a treasure.

 

Iwaki City

Image 5

The Fukushima National Sports Festival commemorative piggy bank, Nambu ironware, and Iwaki Ohkuma cassette tape have been introduced in Treasure House Vol.31, and the "painted coal" from the Coal and Fossil Museum in Treasure House Vol.47. The first reveal is the "Cast Bronze Dragon Paperweight" in the center, with the words "Onahama Port" engraved on its side.

 

Model Kits

Image 6

The Kaiyodo, Shigeru Yamazaki original juvenile skeleton, the Kaiyodo Mascot Series, Endorphin, and the Wave plastic model released last year. All have been introduced in Treasure House Vol.31 and New Treasure House Vol.75.

 

Others

Image 7

The top left ("Let's Reconstruct Japanese Dinosaur Fossils") and the paper model skeleton below it were introduced in New Treasure House Vol.63. The black skeleton next to it is also a paper model, assembled from laser-cut cardboard. Assembly isn't difficult, but it's small and the parts are tiny, so I got a bit fed up with the process of attaching the cervical ribs and ribs to the spine. It's from a manufacturer called hakomo.

The plush toy below it is a product from Hansa, a plush toy manufacturer known for its realistic designs (I've previously introduced their Archaeopteryx – it appeared at the end of New Treasure House Vol.34). This plush toy, named Futabasaurus, has a freely bending neck, so I've shown it in two poses: with its neck extended and in the NMNS pose. If only its eyes were a bit more forward-facing, it would be perfect...

The figures gathered at the top right are soft vinyl and other "orthodox" figures.

From left: Sega Toys Dinosaur King Series Futabasaurus (2007) / Takara Tomy Ania Futabasaurus (2015) / Colorata 3D Picture Book Box Cretaceous Vol.2 Futabasuzukiryu (2009) / Kodansha Moving Encyclopedia MOVE Figure Futabasaurus (2017) / Happinet Great Dinosaur Era Futabasuzukiryu (2007). In the foreground is the Tomica Dinosaur Carrier Set Futabasuzukiryu (2019), but only the one in the set is orange and named Futabasuzukiryu; sold individually, it's blue and called "Plesiosaur Transport Vehicle" (2014).

* You shouldn't mention it if you think the necks of the MOVE and Great Dinosaur Era figures are too short. The length of Futabasaurus's neck is an inference, as its neck has not been found.

 

Pii-suke is indispensable. Paleontology writers like Ken Tsuchiya openly declare Pii-suke as their origin, and even footprints with the specific epithet "nobitai" have been described in China. I believe there are many researchers currently on the front lines who grew up with "Nobita's Dinosaur."

While there are many figures and plush toys, I think these two, the Epoch Comic Taste Figure (2013) and the Medicom Toy UDF Series (2014), are enough for my home.

I belong to a generation that doesn't have such strong feelings about it.

 

Finally, an handmade art piece I acquired on Yahoo! Auctions. It's a small item, about 7x10cm, but it's intricately crafted with a metal skeleton relief. It's very elaborate, with the teeth properly rendered and a good pose, and although it's hard to tell from the photo, it's sparkly and very beautiful. I wonder what kind of artist made it.

 

That's all for Futabasaurus. Next, from the Mineral Fair held in Shinjuku at the end of May.

 

Image 8

Since covering them in New Treasure House Vol.61, I've been interested in thalattosaurs. I somewhat forced myself to buy a skeletal model of Xinpusaurus, a relative of thalattosaurs recently released by the Chinese manufacturer VWUVWU, but then I found the actual fossil at the Mineral Fair! The size was almost identical to my model! I really wanted to display them side by side, but at 765,000 yen, it was completely out of my price range. I settled for placing their photos side by side. The bottom photos show my thalattosaur fossil (New Treasure House Vol.61) and Xinpusaurus together.

And the best bargain at this Mineral Fair: Microraptor and Psittacosaurus skull replicas. Both were about 5,000 yen for this quality.

 

Finally, I'd like to introduce one more impulse purchase.

 

Image 9

This is a recent work by Amphibious LLC, which releases 3D printed skeletal models. It's a "Godzilla-stance" Allosaurus, and what's more, it was created from 3D data of the specimen displayed at the Osaka Museum of Natural History. Modeling a Showa-era dinosaur skeleton with the latest digital technology—this gap is irresistible. Moreover, the Osaka Museum of Natural History seems to be considering a renovation of its Allosaurus through crowdfunding, so the current Godzilla-stance Allosaurus might disappear. If that happens, this Allosaurus model will become even more cherished.

It's truly a perfect item for me!

Incidentally, other than Osaka, the only surviving Godzilla-stance Allosauruses in Japan, to my knowledge, are the "individuals" displayed at the Mikasa City Museum in Hokkaido (which I mentioned earlier) and the Okuizumo Tane Natural Museum in Shimane Prefecture. They are an endangered species.

The photos show three poses of Amphibious's Allosaurus skeleton, and a majestic photo of the Osaka Museum of Natural History's Allosaurus from around 1981 (from "Museums of Japan 10 - Natural History Museums," similar to the old NMNS Futabasuzukiryu photo). Also, a publication from the Osaka Museum of Natural History at that time, "Fossils of Beasts and Dinosaurs."