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Classified Hoops Purple Patent Strappy Beach Sandal. This sandal is for those of us who are tentative about too many straps but love fun colors. A nice balance between the two, the Hoops sandal has a tan, cushioned footbed with matching patent insole at the heel. Heel is flat. Flexible nonskid sole. Available in whole and half sizes. Fit is true to just a bit large. All man made materials. Imported.
$17 @ Lulus.com
8. Classified 2009
18"W x 18"H, digital composition
When I saw these photos of my father a few years ago, I was struck by how alone he seemed, an uneasy stranger in every crowd.
"Claasified" examines how Japanese Americans, particularly men, were impacted by the question "Who is American.?" Until 1952, Japanese immigrants were barred from naturalized citizenship. They were not permitted to own land. The Nisei grew up to refrains of “Go back to whre you came from!”
My father, Lt. Col (U.S.A ret) Barry Saiki was one of ten children born to poor hotelkeepers in Stockton. Stockton was a segregated city where people of color were not welcome on the north side of town. My father was just about to graduate from UC Berkeley when he was incarcerated at the Stockton Fairgrounds and then Rohwer, Arkansas. Dad was drafted in 1945 and spent the rest of his life trying to vindicate his family's honor by demonstrating his loyalty to the United States. He spent 22 years in U.S. military intelligence. Just 20 years after he was imprisoned as a “potentially danger to military security,” he served as the chief of military security for the Sixth Army (responsible for the defense of eight Western States). Ironcially, because of “military security,” he could not discolose his postion to anyone, not even his own family.
One of the 80's properties being revamped in 2020 is none other than G.I. Joe, this time under the "Classified Series" moniker. Manufactured and released by Hasbro, these figures are of the 6 inch scale rather than the 3.75 inch scale figures back in day, so more in line with the last line I actually paid attention to, Sigma 6.. and by pay attention to, I mean I actually knew existed.
You see, I'm actually not a G.I. Joe guy... or really any other 80s property outside of Transformers and some TMNT.
Well, for whatever reason, these figures have been RIDICULOUSLY hard to find, probably due to a combination of COVID and actual rabid fans hoarding them all. I only was able to get a hold of Scarlett her thanks to some assistance from a collector in London, ON helping me out (@Daniel Koper) where apparently they were much easier to come by.
So why Scarlett? She's the only female release in the First Wave, that's why.
Real name Shana M. O'Hara, she's one of the G.I. Joe specialists in Counter Intelligence, is skilled in Martial Arts and Acrobatics, and her weapon of choice is the XK-1 Power Crossbow along with knives. There's a whole extensive fictional biography for her (Scarlett is almost 40 years old, you know) that I'm sure some fans could probably recite for me.
These figures retail for $29.99 CAD, which is the price point for pretty all of the Hasbro figures based on the Marvel Legends 6 in. body. While I'm not a huge Legends fan, each new product line using it does show some improvements, and I was curious about this.
Upon opening the box, you'll get Scarlett complete with Bandolier, her crossbow and three knives. No BAF components with this first Wave, and I'm thinking this is going to stay that way for the purposes of maintaining this price.
Much like with a Figma or a Figuarts, if you look at Scarlett you'll immediately recognize some standard Marvel Legends and Hasbro traits. The overall body shape is there. Thigh swivels are still a thing, as are being given hands that clearly are only meant for holding one things (and not having optional parts to swap them out). Another standard feature, namely the lack of paint wherever possible (in this case, the weapons) makes another appearance.
Having said that, the amount of paint on Scarlett herself isn't too bad.
I remember some people hating on the line (Scarlett in particular) because they were "too colourful" and "anime like". Looking at her Classified Series design and the classic 80s look, she's actually pretty faithful to the original look, while adding some new features. She's now got some gold to break up the yellow of her gloves, gauntlets, boots, and so on, and she now only has chest armour rather than a full torso piece.
Her boots are more interesting too, with red soles, and boosters behind her calf. Gauntlets have moulded and painted throwing stars. Of course, there's also that Bandolier I mentioned earlier. There's textures and other similar fabric features moulded into her suit. Overall, her outfit has been given that 2000s sensibility, and I'm digging it.
The quality of the paint apps, however, range from pretty sharp to, well, Marvel Legends. Still, that means on the whole, the paint application quality on Scarlett is above the expectations I have of a Marvel Legends product.
The head is a bit harder to judge. By itself it's decent. Fairly clean paint work (even the eyes) with freckles. Hair detailing isn't bad and again, features some decent paint work. The only real concern would be the Death Glare, but it's a Hasbro figure, and at least it's a clean looking Death Glare.
Of course, then I take a look at reference materials on the box itself.
Sure, she's got the right coloured hair, but her hair and facial features are off in comparison to her profile pic on the front and side of the box, and by the art on the back of the box, they missed highlights in her hair and the shape of her eyes and eyebrows are completely off.
What are you gonna do?
Articulation resulted in some pleasant surprises. Scarlett is without a doubt probably the poseable 6 inch Hasbro figure I've played with in a long time (Transformers are a partnership with Takara Tomy). You get ankle rockers and pivots, double jointed knees, thigh swivel, hips that pull down for more range of motion, an actual waist joint as well as mid torso ball joint, shoulders with chest compress, forearm rotation, single jointed elbows, wrist pivot, neck rotation, and ball jointed head with pivot.
I'm not saying Scarlett's a Figuart, but it seems like the G.I. Joe line has built on the improvements of the Lightning Series Power Ranger stuff. The pull down hips and waist add a great amount of posing versatility.
The shoulders are interesting with that additional joint that allows the arms to come together/spread further apart. The Power Ranger suits, had a cut in the tunic that allows for maximum range of motion. The potential for increased shoulder motion is there, but the chest section of the figures will need to be slightly reworked.
Overall, I'd say the lower body has some great articulation, and the upper body has potential to be great, especially with a shoulder fix and double jointed elbows.
Finally there's build quality. Again, all things considered, not too bad. The materials are somewhat soft, but feel stiffer than the stuff that the Lightning Series are made from. I imagine that stiffness is what allows for the various fabric details to show up. Similarly, I found an improvement in the quality of the parts finishes and the build as compared to the Lighting Series figures.
The G.I. Joe line up should do well with fans due to nostalgia and general fun in articulation. It's not a line I'm going to get heavily involved in, but I hope those that are into it get an enjoyable ride from the line while it lasts.
I'm just happy it seems that Hasbro seems to be getting their head in the game and actually looking at articulation as something that matters. Maybe by the next line, they'll have updated the actual bodies to offer more than one muscle build?
Here's hoping!
From the August/September 1988 Edition of School Bus Fleet. I am not claiming ownership for this picture and am only uploading for archival purposes.
Classified Store Fuschia Multi Floral Patchwork Flat is a cute and funky mix of ditzy floral prints and zigzag stitching. Round toe flat has a cushioned insole. Flat heel on a nonskid outsole. Fit runs a bit large in the heel. Available in whole and half sizes. All man made materials. Imported.
$20 @ Lulus.com
From the December/January 1971 Edition of School Bus Fleet. I am not claiming ownership for this picture and am only uploading for archival purposes.
The Shore Temple (built in 700–728 AD) is so named because it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. It was built on a promontory sticking out into the Bay of Bengal at Mahabalipuram, a village south of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. At the time of its creation, the village was a busy port during the reign of Narasimhavarman II of the Pallava dynasty. As one of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, it has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. It is one of the oldest structural (versus rock-cut) stone temples of South India.
GEOGRAPHY
Shore temple is a complex of three temples, one large and two small, located right on the shores of the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal in Mahabalipuram, which was earlier known as Mamallapuram. During the Pallava Dynasty reign this was a port city of their kingdom which they ruled from Kanchipuram. It was built by the Pallava Dynasty when it was the trading port of the dynasty.
HISTORY
Sailors gave the name Seven Pagodas to the Shore Temple when they saw this tall structure on the seashore, as the temple probably acted as a landmark for navigation of their ships. As it appears like a Pagoda, the name became familiar to the seafarers.
This structural temple complex was the culmination of the architectural creations that were initiated by the King Narasimha Varma I (popularly called as Mammalla after whom the Mamallapuram town is named), in mid 7th century starting with the Cave temples and the monolithic Rathas. Even though the architectural creation of sculpturing cut-in and cut-out structures continued during subsequent periods, as seen in the Atiranachanda cave, the Pidari rathas and the Tiger cave, the main credit for the architectural elegance of the Shore Temple complex in the category of structural temples goes to the King Rajasimha (700–28 AD), also known as Narasimhavarman II, of the Pallava Dynasty. It is now inferred that this temple complex was the last in a series of temples that seemed to exist in the submerged coastline; this is supported by the appearance of an outline of its sister temples off the coast during the Tsunami of 2004 which struck this coastline. The architecture of the Shore Temple was continued by the Cholas (in the temples that they built) who ruled Tamil Nadu after defeating the Pallavas.
The Tsunami of December 2004 that struck the coastline of Coromandel exposed an old collapsed temple built entirely of granite blocks. This has renewed speculation that Mahablaipuram was a part of the Seven Pagodas described in the diaries of Europeans, of which six temples remain submerged in the sea. The Tsunami also exposed some ancient rock sculptures of lions, elephants, and peacocks that used to decorate walls and temples during the Pallava period during the 7th and 8th centuries.
Though the Tsunami of 26 December 2004 that occurred in the Indian Ocean struck the temple and the surrounding garden, the Shore Temple was not badly damaged, as the water level returned to its normal level within a few minutes. The damage was to the foundation of the bali peetam (sacrificial altar) in front of the temple, the steps leading to the boat jetty, and the small shrine with the Varaha (Boar) sculpture at the basement of the Shore temple. As the temple foundation is on hard granite rock, it could sustain the waves created by the Tsunami; the groynes erected around the temple area on the coastline also aided its protection.
According to the two inscriptions found in the slab of smaller Shiva temple, the names of the three temples mentioned are as Kshatriyasimha Pallaveshvara-griham, Rajasimha Pallaveshvara-griham and Pllikondaruliya-devar. The entire temple complex is called as Jalashayana (lying in water). This confirms that the Vishnu shrine was the first shrine to be excavated here. The inscription on the lintel of the Vishnu shrine also mentions this as Narapatisimha Pallava Vishnu Griha where Narapatisimha is a title of Rajasimha.
An archaeologist has observed that: "In locating the temple on the very margin of the sea, exposing it to avoidable dangers, the builders, there can be little doubt, sought theatrical effect."
INDIAN DANCE FESTIVAL-MAMALLAPURAM
The Mamallapuram Dance Festival is held every year during Dec-Jan in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. This dance festival is organised by Department of Tourism, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. Exponents of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi, Mohini Attam and Kathakali perform against this magnificent backdrop of the Pallava rock sculptures. It is vibrant festival of dance where enormous audience enjoys this one month long festival.
LEGEND
As the Shore Temple was initially identified as part of the Seven Pagodas at Mahabalipuram, an ancient Hindu legend referred to the origin of these pagodas in mythical terms. Prince Hiranyakasipu refused to worship the god Vishnu. The prince’s son, Prahlada, loved and was devoted to Vishnu greatly and criticized his father’s lack of faith. Hiranyakasipu banished Prahlada but then relented and allowed him to come home. Father and son quickly began to argue about Vishnu’s nature. When Prahlada stated that Vishnu was present everywhere, including in the walls of their home, his father kicked a pillar. Vishnu emerged from the pillar in the form of a man with a lion’s head, and killed Hiranyakasipu. Prahlada eventually became the king, and had a son named Bali. Bali founded Mahabalipuram on this site. Myths also mention that Gods were jealous of the architectural elegance of the monuments of Mahablipuram, and as a result they caused floods to occur, which submerged most parts of the city, except for a few structures that are seen now.
ARCHITECTURE
LAYOUT
All the three Temples of the Shore Temple complex are built on the same platform. Viewed from the northern end, the temples appear to be a replica of the Dharmaraja Ratha. The main Shore Temple, which faces east so that the sun rays shine on the main deity of Shiva Linga in the shrine, is a five-storied structural Hindu temple rather than rock-cut as are the other monuments at the site. Built with sculpted granite stones hauled from a nearby quarry, it is the earliest important structural temple in South India. Its pyramidal structure is 18 m high and sits on a 15 m square platform. There is a small temple in front which was the original porch. It is made out of finely cut local granite. The shore temple is also one of the most popular temples. Recent excavations have revealed new structures here under the sand. The temple is a combination of three shrines. The main shrine is dedicated to Shiva as is the smaller second shrine. A small third shrine, between the two, is dedicated to a reclining Vishnu and may have had water channelled into the temple, entering the Vishnu shrine. The two Shiva shrines are orthogonal in configuration. The entrance is through a transverse barrel vault gopuram. The two shikharas have a pyramidal outline, each individual tier is distinct with overhanging eaves that cast dark shadows. The outer wall of the shrine to Vishnu and the inner side of the boundary wall are extensively sculptured and topped by large sculptures of Nandi. The temple's outer walls are divided by pilasters into bays, the lower part being carved into a series of rearing lions. The temple walls have large sculptures of Nandi.
FEATURES
The temple has a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) in which the deity, Sivalinga, is enshrined, and a small mandapa surrounded by a heavy outer wall with little space between for circumambulation. At the rear are two shrines facing in opposite directions. The inner shrine dedicated to Ksatriyasimnesvara is reached through a passage while the other, dedicated to Vishnu, is facing outwards. The Durga is seated on her lion vahana. A small shrine may have been in the cavity in the lion's chest.
The Shore Temples configuration of the two Shiva shrines with the small Vishnu shrine in between illustrates an attempt to balance the different, competing religious requirements.
The roofs of the temples have ornamentation similar to the Pancha Rathas. The roofs have finials on the top, indicative of its religious functional nature, as it was a completed temple. The octagonal shape of the shikaras of the two temples dedicated to Shiva are in the Dravidian architectural style. Beneath the towers, the sanctuary walls are mostly blank with out any decorations but the columns are carved over lion mounted bases. The decorations on the outer faces of these shrines are similar to those seen on the Pancha Rathas, though due to their closeness to the sea, are partially eroded due to salty winds.
The most distinctive feature of the temple are the Dharalinga and the Somaskanda panel, which are enshrined in the interior walls of the sanctum of the east facing Kshatriyasimhesvara temple. The Dharalinga is deified in the garbhagriha, which is in square shape of 3.7 m and the height is 3.4 m. The Dharalinga or Shivalinga is in Rajasimha style, carved out of black basalt stone. It has sixteen faces with slight fluting to create a crown at the top. The top portion of the linga is damaged. Its total height is 1.8 m with one foot embedded in the foundation to provide stability. A bas-relief, which is a family image of Shiva and his consort Parvati with their child Kartikeya built over a stone slab is located in a small shrine in the temple. This is also called the Somaskanada panel, a carved stone panel. Two more similar panels are seen at the entrance porch of the temple. This type of panel is also depicted in the nearby Dharmaraja Ratha of the Paramesvarvarman’s era. The ardhamantapa or half chamber which is the first chamber before entering the sanctum sanctorum, also has sculptures of Brahma on the south wall and Vishnu on its north wall. Sculptures of Shiva as Tripurantaka and Durga are seen on the back side of the north wall of the main shrine. There is also a circumambulatory passage to go round the main shrine in a clockwise direction.
The smaller Shiva temple behind the main temple is a double storied structure with a stepped pyramidal tower with an octagonal shikhara built over a circular griva. A kalasa and finial are fitted above the shikhara. Kudus (horseshoe-arch dormer like projections) and small shrines are part of the cornices at both levels of the structure. A Somaskanda panel decorates the back wall of the inner shrine. There is no mantapa (hall) in front of this shrine (probably damaged). The external walls display two panels. One is called Ekapadamurti, a eye-legged form of Shiva with Brahma and Vishnu emanating from his sides. The second panel is of Nagaraja (king of serpents) standing below a five-hooded serpent.
Anantashayi Vishnu (reclining posture of Vishnu lying on the serpent Ananta) is enshrined in a small rectangular shrine between the large Kshatriyasimhesvara temple and the Rajasimha Pallaveshvara temple. Vishnu is depicted with four arms but his attributes are missing (damaged). The temple structure's rectangular tower is missing. The typical design of kudus and small square shrines are part of the cornice arrangement. The external walls have carvings of Krishna slaying the demon Kesi, Krishna dancing over Kaliya (the seven hooded serpent), and Vishnu seated on his vehicle Garuda in the act of saving Gajendra (elephant) from the mouth of a crocodile. Inscription noted in Pallava Grantha script is on the lintel indicating it as the earliest shrine of the complex.
The entire compound wall surrounding the temples is sculpted with large sculptures of Nandi, the vehicle or mount of Shiva, and also with Yalis and Varahas (boars).
LION MONOLITH
A monolith sculpture of a partly carved and partly sculpted lion with a hole in its torso is erected within the compound wall of the temple complex. A miniature image of Durga is sculpted on the back of the image, which is a depiction of Durga as Mahishasurmardini. The open mouth of the lion is inferred as representation of its role as the favourite mount of Durga. A female guardian with a bow is also carved on the leg of the lion.
MINIATURE SHRINE
In 1990, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered a miniature shrine with the Bhuvaraha image in a well type enclosure. This is dated to the Pallava King Narasimhavarman Mamalla’s (AD 638–660) reign. It was enclosed with an elliptical well built during Rajasimha’s (AD 700-728) period. These are carved on the bedrock that also has the reclining Vishnu in the Shore Temple complex. The miniature shrine is also dedicated to Shiva. It has sixteen-sided base which is carved from bedrock. The circular wall and superstructure are of structural type. There are lions depicted on the pilasters. It is reported as a unique single tiered temple and not seen in other temples of the Pallava period. Its circular shikara, is in vesara style architecture. The shikhara is erected on a circular griva, which has kudus and maha-nasikas on its four sides and each nasika has an image of Ganesha. The kalasa above the shikara is missing. The carving of the Bhuvaraha depicts Varaha as the boar incarnation of Vishnu. This image is in unusual form, unlike another Varaha depictions in other regions of the country, as there is no Bhudevi shown nor an ocean. The depiction is in the form of Varaha performing a diving act into the ocean to rescue Bhudevi or mother earth. The symbolism of this act denotes the myth, only when the temple is submerged in water, as it is below the ground level. The sculpture is seen broken and the base has an inscription referring to titles of the Pallava king Rajasimha. The wall that surrounds the shrine to prevent intrusion of sand from the sea also has an inscription on the topmost layer, in Pallava-Grantha script, which equates the king with Arjuna.
CONSERVATION
ASI has constructed break-water wall all around the sea shore to save the temple from further damage. The temple structures, affected by rough Sea and winds with salt content are being conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India by building protective groynes, treatment with wall paper pulp, and by planting casurina trees along the affected coast line. The pulp treatment absorbs the saline water. In addition, chemical treatment is also given the monument to prevent water seepage into the rock. This kind of treatment is also reported to take out water stored inside the rock thus allowing the stone to breathe and preserve its strength. The area around the Shore Temple, has been beautified. The horticulture wing of the ASI has created a green lawn of 4.4 hectares around the Shore Temple. Fixing of signages with information on the monuments and creating fountains was also part of the beautification programme planned by ASI.
WIKIPEDIA