So I had an experience on Friday. I'm gonna post it here because... I'm not sure it warrants its own thread. I recently discovered a group of touhous on my college campus and met them last Friday. A few of these people wanted to go to AWA but missed the chance because of personal issues (the worst turn around in weekend plans in recent memory). I was excited to meet them because this would be another chance to share the most glorious thing I have ever seen come out of Touhou (probably), The AWA wall scroll, or rather, my mini-scroll. For those that don't know, apart from the massive scrolls that Totaku printed, he also made smaller prints, mini-scrolls, which he gave to people who helped make the scroll happen. This mini-scroll was easily the best thing to come out of AWA.
Unrolling it onto the table made the onlookers go wide eyed? Despite being much smaller then a the real scrolls, this thing is a beast in length, so seeing it just keep going and going is mind boggling, like when is the awesome going to end? When the whole thing was out on the table there were quick yells across the room "Sam, I think you might wanna come see this. SAM! You're really gonna come see this." Sam was not prepared for it.
The members who were there eventually shrank to just me and two others and we did the only thing you can really do with this scroll. We just went along and enjoyed every bit of it, inspecting every detail, trying to squeeze out every bit of enjoyment we could. It was my 3ed time doing this and it hasn't gotten old. "Look at the Murasa, there's this weird, glitch effect. I have no idea what that is. A spell card reference probably, but why the squareness?". "That Reimu is gender swapped, and nobody can tell me otherwise.". "The first time I saw the shadow in Rumia's hand, I thought someone had written on the scroll with pen and I got scared to death.". "I wish the world had high enough resolution for this Momiji.". We talked about spell cards and references and what not and it was great, being able to share this amazing piece of art with someone else who really wanted to talk about it. The connection was immediate and powerful. I was welcomed very well by the group (even before the scroll) and I think I'll be spending a lot more time with them, and I am so glad that I was able to do what I really wanted with the mini scroll, show it to people.
The AWA wall scroll project was, I think, the best thing to come out of AWA. First of all, it sounds like the process to get this thing together was not so smooth, as it shouldn't be. A project like this is hard and the fact that it worked at all is a testament to hard work and dedication. Anyone who had a part in organizing this project should be very proud. Second, what a piece it is. This thing is gorgeous. If the plan was to convey that there are artists in America then I think we did an excellent job. The whole thing just oozes character, with so many familiar and foreign styles. Granted I think there are places where things clash in odd ways but by and large it's all handled really well. Finally, unlike ZUN and the shirt, this item is by the community. It might have been nice to meet ZUN but ZUN is gone now, leaving a signature and stories to tell your friends. The shirt is cool and you can show it to people but its still only your shirt and... I guess you can share it. The scroll is a product of the community, and that gives it a personal connection. I love pointing out what artists I know, because I actually know them.
In the end it's just great thing. I am honored that I got to have a mini-scroll. I don't know exactly why Totaku gave it to me but I'm not gonna put it to waste. This thing is getting shown off at every touhou panel I do from now on and hopefully other people will see what I see. The testament to one of the best conventions ever, by one of the best fandoms ever.
Thanks Totaku, and thank you to everyone else who helped make this happen.
Then I had another idea. Does anyone else want to borrow my scroll for any reason? Even just to look at it yourself? I want to take it to conventions but other then that it'll just sit in my room collecting dust. Let me know if you're interested and I'll think about it a little more.