3.7.16
Tomorrow is my birthday but not so in Japan. And I just had the best birthday present ever! I just received a personal birthday wish from Godzilla himself, 薩摩剣八郎 (さつま けんぱちろう, Satsuma Kenpachirō). I’ve never been so honored and humbled! Thank you so much, さつまさん! You’ve made my day! This is the best birthday present I’ve ever received!
Kenpachiro Satsuma is one of the three Godzilla suit actors. Before becoming the Heisei Godzilla (1984–1995)), Satsuma was Hedorah (1971) and Gigan (1972-3) in the Showa Era. He has left his genius, personality, and signature on both Godzilla and me. This coming weekend he will be at Monster Mania Con 33 in Cherry Hill, NJ. I’m looking forward to seeing him. I first met Satsuma in G-Fest 1999 walking into the New Yorker Hotel with my good friends. That was a day that we would never forget. His signature has been hanging on my wall for many years. This was another great day!
