Tokonatsu Conbook 2014

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Index
Page 1 – Cover
Page 2 – Notice from our sponsor Southern Gas Networks
Page 3 – Index
Page 4 – Editors Letter and Website Links
Page 5 – Stalemate (Sophie O’Reilly)
Page 6 – Tokonatsu Survival Guide II (Luke Warner)
Page 9 – House Battle Royale (Foxy)
Page 10 – The Japanese Tea Ceremony Chanoyu (Foxy)
Page 11 – Kimono Information (Bakura)
Page 12 – Short Story: All’s Fair (Kiko)
Page 15 – House Badge Art Contest
Page 18 – Autograph Space
Page 19 – Beware the Kraken (Razorwind)
Page 20 – Map of Tokonatsu
Banner art used on pages 8, 10, 11 and 18 created by
Marcus Pullen
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Editors letter
Hello, and welcome to the 2014 edition of the Tokonatsu Conbook! Last year
was my first time editing the Tokonatsu Conbook and as not to tempt fate in
my letter I put “fingers crossed it worked out”. Fate however was not satisfied
with this offering of respect and I believe the same day the books came back
from the printers the original campsite was lost through no fault of
Tokonatsu. Colin and the committee then somehow managed to find a new
campsite and reschedule the event, which was an impressive feat in itself
when faced with the alternative to cancel the event. I’d also like to thank everyone
who donated last year so it was possible for the event to continue, the
amount of generosity was really touching. So thank you again.
This year Tokonatsu returns a second time to the Boyd Memorial Campsite
and Activity Centre in Bedfordshire. In the book we have a large selection of
artwork by our attendees including the entries for this year’s badge art contest
as well as useful articles on surviving the event, culture and a short story.
Thank you to everyone who submitted and chocolate coated treats will be
finding their way to you at some point during the weekend. At the event attendees
can look forward to all the traditional Tokonatsu activities such as
Otaku Royale, and some of the more recent ones such as sumo wrestling.
I hope you all have a lovely time.
Hayley Warner
(Conbook Editor)
Website Links
Websites and portfolios of contributors to the book who have provided links:
Foxy www.foxseye.com
Kiko www.kikojui.com
Marcus Pullen www.bluedonutstudios.com
Razorwind www.redbubble.com/people/razorwind1101/portfolio
Hayley Warner www.hayleywarner.carbonmade.com
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Stalemate by Sophie O’Reilly

Tokonatsu
Survival Guide II
Greetings programs. I have returned with another survival guide to try and
help you to survive the coming days. If this is your first Tokonatsu then this
guide will help you from making a lot of rookie mistakes and while some of it
may seem basic, you’d be surprised how many brave warriors forget them in
the heat of the moment. I’m not going to lie, some of this will be very similar,
if not the same, as last year’s guide. However common sense doesn’t
change and there’s only so many ways to say some things. Tokonauts! Roll
out!
The Wash kit
Some things never change and as I said some of these are basic, but while
bringing it is easy, some people may forget to use it. The basic kit usually
consists of a flannel, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo.
Deodorant alone is not enough for this event and washing is essential to
avoid being that smelly person we all don’t want to be.
Food and Drink
While food and drink is provided on site, I always find that having your own
supplies is a great idea. Best kept in a cooler box would be a supply of food
that won’t spoil quickly to stave off hunger and keep your energy high.
First aid kit
For those who cannot simply call on a friend who can turn into an ambulance,
you would be advised to bring some small bits you might logically
need: plasters, anti-septic cream, medicine for personal ailments, tweezers,
bite and sting relief spray, more plasters etc. As you can see, an ambulance
is way too big for how much you would want to bring, so you should be fine.
Money
While camping may not seem like an expensive exercise, you will want money
with you as there will be no paying guild jobs available. Whether your gold
be for food, travel, that figure/statue/book/dvd/wallscroll/plush you’ve always
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dreamed of having that’s at the bring and buy, etc. Just make sure you keep
it either on your person or in a safe place and don’t go telling everyone how
much you’ve got or where it is.
Be respectful
As you charge forwards, shooting your enemies down with your new super
soaker and about to glomp/tackle that nice cosplayer to the ground. In your
berserker rage, please be mindful of the fact some people like some warning
and personal space. Some cosplayers have put a lot of time and/or money
into their costumes and to have them ruined in a split second of thoughtlessness
will upset people a great deal, which is something I know I don’t want to
see at Tokonatsu and I bet you don’t either. Be mindful of the other people
on site and especially at night, when some might be trying to sleep.
SUN TAN LOTION!!!
While raising your arms to the sky and shouting “PRAISE THE SUN!” is fun,
please make sure you have applied sun tan lotion generously. I made a
rookie mistake once where I thought I could harness the yellow sun radiation
to activate my super powered DNA, but I learned that my super power sucks
and it doesn’t prevent sunburn. It was painful and I don’t recommend anyone
else tries unless they know they have a super power that prevents sunburn.
That concludes the 6 prime suggestions, so here are a couple of small things
that while not a major recommendation, I think can make the event more
enjoyable.
Portable chargers
Something I didn’t mention last year and not exactly necessary for Toko, but
I know it could be handy. The amount of you wonderful people who will be
bringing a 3DS and mobile phones will probably need to charge them at
some point and there are only so many plug sockets in ops.
Emergency cosplay repair kit
The bush caught your robe, the zombie grabbed you by the shirt, the honey
badger ripped your trousers in two. No matter the incident, a needle and
thread, scissors and suitable glue for the costume can help mend a costume
until an extensive fix can be done at home and stops a problem getting
worse before then.
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Tent kit
Your base camp/tent will be the place you visit most so you want it to be the
best it can be. I recommend bug repellent to exterminate unwanted visitors
first, just remember to air the tent out a bit before going in again and remember
to cover any food when you do it. Several lights for around the tent so
when it gets dark you can see what you’re doing. A no brainer, but a comfortable
sleeping bag makes all the difference to feeling refreshed in the morning
and waking up feeling like Jon Snow.
Toko event kit
The game begins again as the houses battle for control of the toko throne
and the war between Red and Blue rages on. Chances are you made a pilgrimage
to your local toy shops looking for the best super soaker money can
buy, after hearing war stories from other Tokonauts. Suitable footwear is advised
as the fields are uneven and cosplay footwear can be easily damaged.
For chilling at night when things wind down, glow sticks are always fun but
be warned! You will attract the horde (dun dun duh) of people who want glow
sticks as well.
Notebook
Finally, I recommend a notebook for noting down any names and email addresses
of the people you are sure to become friends with at Tokonatsu. I
know I’ve met some of my best friends at conventions and I always had a
trusty notebook with me, so I had a way of talking to them later. It is also
good for doodling when bored and noughts & crosses.
Finally, defend this family Tokonauts, as they have you. Defend all we can
be. There are mysteries of Tokonatsu we were never meant to solve, but
who we are and why we are here are not among them. Those answers we
carry inside. I am Sora and this message is to all of you, enjoy Toko and
peace out.
By Luke Warner
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House Battle Royale by Foxy

The Japanese Tea Ceremony
CHANOYU
The term Chanoyu ( 茶 の 湯 ) is what we have come to know as the Japanese
"Tea Ceremony" (sometimes referred to as "Way of Tea").
The ceremony has a long and complicated history - even the way the ceremony
is performed has a name; this being the art of (o)temae. Though the
ceremony itself is not strictly religious it owes its' origins to Zen Buddhishm.
The elaborate and refined Japanese tea ceremony is meant to demonstrate
respect through grace and good etiquette.
As with a great many things the tea ceremony did not start in Japan. The first
documented evidence of tea in Japan came from the 9th century when it was
brought into Japan by the Buddhist monk Eichū ( 永 忠 ) from China. The tea
Ceremony then continued to develop over time until it has become an art that
is almost unrecognisable to the Chinese tea ceremony it is derived from.
Every aspect of the ceremony has a meaning, from how a kettle is used or
how a teacup is examined, to how tea is scooped into a cup, even each
movement from the tea master (person hosting the ceremony) and how the
guest themselves sit and drink the tea. Typically in formal tea ceremonies
(known as chaji) ( 茶 事 ) you drink powdered green tea (matcha) served in
special bowls called chawan. In informal ceremonies (known as chakai) ( 茶
会 ) you may sometimes drink leaf tea. Everything is performed in a specific
way to produce a beautiful art form that has to be experienced first hand to
truly appreciate the beauty and complexity.
By Foxy
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Kimono Information
Kimono (literally “a thing to wear”) are the traditional Japanese clothes that
automatically bring geisha to mind – while it is true that they are mostly worn
by modern geisha (an apprentice geisha is known as a maiko, whereas a full
geisha is referred to as a geiko), these garments were worn by all members
of society until the last 100 years, when they began to phase out.
Kimono are made up of many layers and varieties, with different ones required
for different situations – for example, in the summer one would wear a
light cotton kimono known as a yukata – it is a one layered kimono with a
han-haba obi (half sash) and is the easiest to wear. These are also left at
hotsprings for guests to wear!
A furisode is worn by a young unmarried woman – on her coming of age,
usually. Furisode have long flowing sleeves and are brightly patterned, there
can be anything up to four layers of kimono in a furisode (naga-juban – an
undershirt, juban a lighter unpatterned kimono and eri – detachable fake collars)
– the younger ladies will usually accessorize these with kanzashi
(ornamental hairclips), a fukuro obi (full size obi, usually 5-7 metres in length)
and elaborate musubi (knots/bows at the back).
Every day kimono are usually much easier to wear – they tend to be plainly
patterned and are worn with a nagoya obi – these belts are fashioned to
make a “taiko” musubi (drum knot) – these are the ones we usually bring to
mind when we try to visualize someone wearing a kimono!
While this merely covers ladies kimonos, it does not even begin to scratch
the surface of the outfits! We will be holding kimono dressing sessions, so be
sure to check them out if you want more information.
By Bakura
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Short Story:
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ALL’S FAIR
Blues music fills the air and wafts around drowning the senses, much like the
smoke that also swirls and sways as if in trance to the beat. People sit in the
bar in mixed numbers and among their ranks a few people alone, searching
for refuge from the tolls of life. The bartender stands almost as a living cliché
cleaning glasses and listing to peoples troubles. The slow creak of the old
wooden door symbolises another lost soul caught, another person now
stricken into an alcohol induced limbo between reality and whatever this
place really was.
The man stumbles in, clothes ragged and a beard to match complete with a
rifle that's probably seen a lot of use. Mind you in these desperate times it
wasn't such an unusual site, after all this is what the human race had become;
a Petri dish. The man, who's age was difficult to tell under the grime
and mistreated appearance slumped at the bar and pulled a wad of paper
from his pocket and placed them on the table. The bartender, still cleaning a
glass towered above him almost looking through his own moustache at the
customer.
“What'll this get me?”
Spoke the man, his voice dry and tactless. The bartender tilted his head and
looked over the paper.
“Trouble”
Announced the bartender before continuing.
“I'm afraid I do not have much use for this currency, do you have something
else of value?”
The man looked through his pockets in earnest for any other currency.
“I've got a tall tale? What will that get me?”
Gestured the old man in a humorous fashion.
A smile creased on the bartenders face.
“I'll give you a single shot of my finest whiskey in return for your tall tale sir”
The haggard man looked at the bar before re-making eye contact.
“I had it all, everything I'd ever wanted. During the worlds ruin I profited from
trade goods, goods I had personally looted myself. I spent months searching
the wastelands for food, weapons and general equipment and traded it for
better goods. Days became weeks, weeks blurred into months and before I

knew it I had people working for me! I gave them equipment and gear and
they looted wherever I pointed. In return I'd get a cut of their loot, everyone
wins. After many months I found a woman, and on top of that I found a woman
that liked me, loved me.”
The bartender leaned in a bit more.
“A woman huh!”
Spoke the bartender as if it was a common and reoccurring theme in these
tales he so frequently heard.
“Yes a woman, the most beautiful woman I've ever met. Well she was a
friend at first but eventually we became entwined. I was as happy as I could
be, I not only had wealth but I had obtained something greater than money
and goods, love.”
The man paused for a moment as if lost in thought reminiscing almost entranced.
“I had it all as I said, money, goods and now love and nothing could stop me,
or so I thought. Melinda had set up a big deal with raiders, and I've supplied
and worked with raiders before”
The bartender spat to his side.
“Bunch of rapists and murderers”
He proclaimed.
“This is true but their goods and money is as good as anyone else’s to me.”
The shaggy bearded man's retort was met with a disapproval from the bartender.
“I had this all set up, we ride out to the void lands border and make the transaction.
Anyway on route Melinda looked as if something was troubling her,
and after a long talk on route she informed me our love was over, and that
she had fallen for another man and that I had no time for her, I was apparently
too wrapped up in making money. I was heartbroken but not going to let
this stop the big deal. So I dropped her off at a small village not that far from
here as a matter of fact and continued my journey. I reached the border of
the void lands, they say you see the strangest things that close to that place,
and they are right!
I saw a tower of twisted flesh and bones standing over 100 feet high, I saw
strange land squids eating livestock, I've seen it all! But I digress from the
tale. Upon arrival I sat and thought about my life, the wealth, the love lost
and realised that you do only miss something when it's gone. I decided to
back out the deal, and I thought I'd go check over the item in my caravan to
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see if I was making the right decision, I grabbed the box and opened it with
my key, the box lay empty! I must have forgotten it!! Was it a divine sign or
just a lapse of memory? I'll never know for sure. It was cemented in me, I
needed to get back the only possession I had ever really lost, the only thing
that mattered to me. Melinda. And so I turned back and made headway back
to the location I call home. Upon arrival the foul stench of burning rubber
choked me, and it became apparent that during my departure every possession
I once had, had been stripped from me. My home lay in ruins, my goods
all taken and to top it off the the one treasure I truly had, I lost by protecting
the things that ultimately didn't mean anything to me any-more. Broken, an
beaten I rode off to think about what had become my life. I traded love for
possessions that where taken from me and the love I had was taken by another
man. I've been riding about in this sorry state for a few days now and
decided I'd come here and drown my sorrows with what little I could loot,
maybe sell this rifle.”
The bartender looked at the man in pity before turning away to pour the golden
elixir into a small but elegant glass. The reward for the tale, the finest
whiskey any man could taste these days. With the crease of a smile the bartender
placed the glass on the table.
“The Golden flow?! This whiskey is very rare!!”
Gasped the man in surprise.
With that he lifted the glass and swirled it around a bit before taking a long
sip.
“It's the least I could do”
Replied the barman.
As the last of the drink went in to the man's mouth, he smiled, somehow talking
about his issue must have relieved him of his pain, the drink a mere
pleasant chaser.
A loud pop came from the counter and the music fell silent, the many heads
of the bars customers pivoted towards the haggard man. The bartender was
holding a revolver, the barrel smoking. The bearded man slumped on the
stool looking at the banterer, who looked him straight in the eyes.
“I'm the leader of the raiders”
A woman poked her head out from a door behind the bar.
“What's going on!”
She spoke in a panic.
“Nothing Melinda my dear, do not worry yourself.”
By Kiko
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Tokonatsu
Badge Art Contest
This year the committee ran a competition to design the house badges.
Overall they couldn’t come to a decision for an all out winner so have
decided to use as many designs as they can on this years badges. So in theory
you are all winners and as they are featured in the conbook there will
also be sweets for you as well.
Karinna Deller
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Abigail Horn
Kiko
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Raven McFarlane
Rachel Wootton
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Autograph Space
A place for contact details of new friends (:D)
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Beware the Kraken by Razorwind
Legal: all content inside this booklet is the copyright of it’s respective owner. All design and editorial content is
the copyright of Hayley Warner & Tokonatsu. No content, in part or in whole, may be reproduced without the
permission of the original creator.
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