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Okaasan (42)
Project: Family movie (“The Journey”)
Known as: No nicknames
Real name: Okaasan
Group affiliation: The Mothers
Physical description: Okaasan (like all the Mothers) looks like Mai, but with some differences. Okaasan is heavy set and her hair is always done up in a tight bun. She always wears floral dresses with an apron. She is neat, tidy, and wrinkle-free. She frequently wears a warm smile, when not a reassuring look of sympathy.
Personality: Okaasan is loving and patient – almost unassailably so. She is extremely giving and won’t be happy until those around her are happy (or at least content). She is highly empathetic and can read the needs of those around her – from telling a good joke to giving them a quiet, warm hug. She is a flawlessly good person who can only exist in magical places.
History: The MM takes the Stothert family to the Nook, a hidden valley. They are dropped off at the home of, and welcomed by, Okaasan. Grant and Eri are taken aback by her resemblance to Mai. She has a special greeting for each. She takes both of Grant’s hands, looks him directly in the eyes, and says “It is wonderful to see you.” For Eri, Okaasan looks her up and down, claps her hands together, and exclaims “Look at this remarkable young woman!” Finally, Kana (who blushes and can’t make eye contact with Okaasan) simply gets a long, warm hug (which Kana melts into). From that point on, Kana is often seen holding Okaasan’s hand or under her arm.
Grant and Eri pepper Okaasan with questions – Is she really Mai, who also got swept into this land? (No, dearies – but she sounds wonderful). Is she a relative of theirs, a Sato? (She’s never heard the name before, and the only relatives she knows about are her sisters). Does she know Da Ogre? (Yes – she has both fed him and wrapped his knuckles on occasion). Does she know how they got to this place? (Of course – the Mobile Mobile) Does she know how they got to this magical land? (Are there other lands?) Does she know how they can get home? (Time enough for that after they rest and eat).
While getting asked questions, Okaasan has already got them in her cozy home, seated, with blankets. She has been in the kitchen and is soon serving each of them their favorite snacks. They barely finish those before they are seated at the table and served their favorite meals (each of them). She gives them robes to change into and mends and presses their clothes. Any offers to help her are met with polite dismissal. Any detailed questions are met with “My sisters will be able to answer questions tomorrow.”
They are soon being settled into bed. The three Stotherts have a chance to privately discuss their predicament. They will discuss how kids usually get home in the stories (by achieving some great deed for the land) and what seeing someone who looks like Mai means (Grant suspects it has to do with him as she is his estranged wife – maybe he needs to try to win her back here? – Grant is working under the faulty assumption that the story is about him). Kana actually knows a lot of this stuff – but is too embarrassed to admit it (her childish imaginings are basically on display). Eri will note how several things in this world seem familiar.
Role in the narrative: The world of the Journey (you’ll find out eventually, as will Grant) is made up of things from Kana’s imaginings. For Grant, Kana has two images: King Granite, the noble protector she saw her father as when she was little and plain old Grant. Her mother (Mai), however, has been much more present and Kana sees her in several ways. The Mothers represent her complex and mercurial views of Mai. They are metaphors on how we try to pigeon-hole the people in our lives, even from moment to moment. The Mothers each are a bit of a stereotype/cliché, as they are one simple aspect of a complex person (Mai). One emotional point I hope to work in is that the daughters will realize that no single aspect of their mother equals their actual mother.
Okaasan is Mai as provider and nurturer. She is also the first Mai figure that Grant meets and an early step in him learning what is going on in The Journey.
Abilities: Okaasan is good at anything that is helpful to someone else. She’s basically a magical creature in that regard and can basically do anything and find anything she needs in her small home.
Inspirations: The Wizard of Oz (movie) is an obvious one (seeing fictional versions of real people in the magical land). I really feel like the multiple characters each being aspects of a person is NOT something I made up but I’m struggling to find a specific example. If it comes to me I’ll add it here.
100 Characters Blog 