Hono: Electronics Notes


MOCHI > The Scrapbook > Costume Gallery > Mosquiton > Hono Electronics Notes

The electronics (which create the illusion of fire from Hono's hands) are made up of three components:

A battery case, with two AA batteries, attached to the side of the body just below the waist. We used white athletic tape because it holds up well to sweat and can be hidden or "masked" with makeup.
Two paired wires which are connected to the battery case and run up the side of the body, under the arm, and all the way to the middle of the wrist. (It's easier if you go with the standard red and black wires.) Male leads are attached to the ends.
A palm attachment which is also attached with athletic tape. Special attention should be made to keep the bulb uncovered and supported.

The palm attachment itself has three "parts" (as reflected in the wiring diagram):

Red or hot wire (A) is fitted with a female lead and connected to the equivalent wire from the battery pack and silver soldered to bulb (B);
Black wire (C) is soldered to bulb (B) and the other end is connected to a single male connector(D) and attached to index finger between the middle and bottom joint;
And another black wire (E) with another male connector (F) is connected at the thumb, between the middle joint and the tip. The other end of wire (E) is then connected to the equivalent wire from the battery pack with another female lead

Using male and female leads at the wrist allows you to disconnect the wires quickly if you've accidentally turned the light on. (Practice wearing the electronics since some hand motions may unintentionally trigger the light!) The male leads at the thumb and forefinger will need to be adjusted so that they meet well when you close your thumb.

Solder up extra bulbs for emergency use. The wires and tape are coated with makeup at the same time as the cosplayer.

For Hono, we wanted an orange, flame-like light. Halogen bulbs were the strongest light that could be powered with the small batteries. They were coated with orange nail polish set with gold flecks. (Since the bulbs would not be kept on for any length of time, we did not expect them to get too hot.)

The stage had bright white lights. To increase the effect, the cosplayer slightly exposed his palms at connection (so the light could be seen to appear) and then turned them upwards with the fingers slightly curled over to continue the look of flame in his hands. When the lights were going to be put out, he again slightly exposed his palms so that the lights could be easily seen, then separated the thumb and finger (opening the connection). From the audience perspective, that makes the lights dramatically disappear.