How wonderful! The Futabasaurus suzukii, which had been rumored for several years, has finally been officially described. Futabasaurus suzukii... while those who imagined what it would be named (including myself) might retort, "That's just the name as is!", it's such a perfectly fitting scientific name, and the fact that it's a new genus and species doubles its significance. So, I suddenly changed my plans for this time and lined up models of the Futabasaurus suzukii.

Photo 1 shows an early (around '85) Kaiyodo 1/35 resin kit (left) and another old piece by Hirokazu Tokugawa, who has also been involved in sculpting Dinosaur King figures lately.

Photo 2 is a Kaiyodo resin kit sculpted by Shigeru Yamazaki, which was also featured in Secret Treasury Vol. 26, but let's take a closer look again... For some reason, it's arbitrarily given the scientific name "Wellsiosaurus suzukii," and it's set as a 1/1 juvenile (about 60cm), with a large head and a neck that isn't yet very long (Photos 3, 4, 5), showing Yamazaki's characteristic twist. The craftsmanship is flawless.
Photo 6 is a souvenir from the National Museum of Nature and Science. The blue one is made of resin and was sold only at the museum shop, but the metal version of the same model can occasionally be found in accessory shops, looking a bit sad with rings hung around its neck.

Photo 7 shows an item made of Nambu ironware that was sold at the local "Iwaki Coal and Fossil Museum." I have a connection with the "Coal and Fossil Museum"; we have helped them out several times, such as exhibiting a large portion of our collection for an event called "Dinosaur Goods Collection" in the summer of '98, and descending upon them in large numbers on a dinosaur club trip. Among other local goods, I'm still looking for an "Fukushima National Sports Festival Commemorative Piggy Bank" (Photo 8, which I failed to win on Yahoo Auctions before).

Finally, let's hum along to the original folk song (?) "Iwaki Ohisa" (lyrics and music by Ken Kusano) Photo 9, a cassette tape I got at "Kairyu no Sato" in Iwaki, and reflect on the Futabasaurus suzukii, which finally got its name after 38 years.

Haa~ Iwaki Ohisa, land of dinosaurs
Futaba Suzuki, the plesiosaur with a long neck
Haa~ Iwaki Ohisa, ammonites
Lining up in swarms on the mountain slopes, lining up in swarms

...The fossil-related lyrics continue in good rhythm for the next three verses, but in the fourth verse, it suddenly goes:

Haa~ Iwaki Ohisa, looking from the sea
To the right, the lights of the nuclear power plant are visible, visible

I was suddenly brought back to reality.