How the words of her favorite people changed the life of Riho
Sayashi
In the last article, we did an OFF Q&A with Riho Sayashi about
what is essential to her throughout the day, what she considers
“kawaii” and delicious! This time, we have included many stories
that could not be published in the magazine, and a lot of ON stuff
about dancing and studying abroad!
So what made you decide to study dance abroad?
One of the major reasons was the
Morning Musume concert in New York in 2014. I wanted to communicate
with the overseas fans, but I couldn’t do it well, which is
something I regret. I have always wanted to study English so that I
could
understand
more people from around the world. Talking to people is really
important to me, so I wanted to increase the number of languages I
can speak, in order to increase my chances of communicating with
people from around the world.
Besides, I have been a curious
person since I was a child. I began dancing when I was 6 years old
after watching a Morning Musume performance. I remember saying “I
want to do it too! Mom, put me in dance school!” (laughs)
There have been many things I have
tried that I didn’t continue, but dance has been one of the few
constants in my life since I was 6. Moreover, it’s something I
feel I am good at, and which comes to me naturally. Studying dance
abroad was therefore a natural choice for me, because I love dance,
and want to learn more about it.
Did you have any concerns or hesitation in choosing to graduate
from the group to study abroad?
For about half a year, I wondered what I should do. But when I
realized I wanted to grow more as a person, I began to think “If I
keep doing this, I may grow up unhappy with myself as an adult…”
It was painful for me to keep performing for our fans while I felt
that way, and I also thought it was disrespectful to the other
members of the group.
When I talked about it with some of the girls, they asked me to stay,
but I feel the moment I left in 2015 was the right time to leave.
Did you begin studying English before you graduated?
No, I actually didn’t study much at all (laughs), partly because I
always prioritized my work. I was starting from scratch, not even at
junior high school level English. I would start “I am…” and I
would ask “what’s the right grammar after that?”. For a while
I thought I should begin studying before I move abroad, and I tried
watching movies in English, but it made me angry, and I said “I
can’t do it! Enough!”. So I went abroad without having studied
English. (laughs)
Abroad I began doing English lessons in English, and I was able to
absorb it quickly, probably because I had not developed any bad
habits, the way someone with some knowledge of the language would
have. I have always enjoyed studying, so it wasn’t hard.
To put it bluntly, I had nothing to lose, and if it didn’t work
out, I would simply return to Japan. It took a lot of courage to
act, but once I made the decision, it wasn’t that difficult. All I
had to do was get a ticket and get on a plane.
I initially thought I should start studying English and dance at the
same time, but it was recommended from people close to me, to first
learn good English. It turned out to be good advice because if I had
any difficulties during my time abroad, I would be able to deal with
it if I spoke the language.
What was it like studying abroad?
I was away from family and friends, and for the first time,
completely independent, so there were times when I felt very lonely.
But as I was searching for a dance school and teachers, I discovered
what I wanted to focus on, and it was fun devoting myself to it. And
I also made friends that I keep in touch with to this day!
What do you think you learned from studying dance abroad?
The first thing I learned is that there is no “right answer”.
Dance isn’t like math, where there is only one correct answer, but
there are many things that can be described as “amazing” or
“good”. In the U.S. I saw a lot of dancing in person, and I came
to appreciate things I didn’t understand before.
The most “amazing” memory I had was of a teacher that danced,
almost like a mollusk. I would call it a street dance, but it didn’t
belong to any genres. One of my friends recommended that I go to
this teacher, and I was shocked when I did, wondering if it would be
suitable for me. If I had seen the performance on video, I probably
would not have appreciated the quality of the dance, and I truly felt
there is something amazing about art that can only be appreciated
live. I came across many dances that I probably would not have
encountered and be moved by, if I had stayed in Japan.
Did your values or behavior change after studying abroad?
I have learned that trying things, can expand your horizons, so I am
more willing to try and learn things that I didn’t have an interest
in before.
Also, I became less annoyed by people. I was never the type that
would argue with someone when they said something that made me angry,
but I think my voice would still sound a little angrier when that
happened (laughs). But after studying abroad, I stopped getting
annoyed or negatively affected by others as much as I used to. I
usually end up thinking “Eh, people can be like that”, and I
don’t get frustrated anymore.
Have there been any changes in your solo career since you
restarted, compared to your time in the group?
When you belong to a group, you have to, in a good way, “focus on
expressing yourself a certain way”, I think. Now that I am alone,
I am responsible for myself, and I can experiment more.
What gives you the strength to take on new challenges?
I have often been able to try something, after receiving advice, so I
would say another person’s “word” or “advice”. It takes
courage to ask for advice, and it’s important to ask someone you
trust and respect.
In my case, it was talking to Tsunku, and Ai Takahashi, who were my
teachers at Morning Musume, and when I told them “I will do this”,
they would say “that’s interesting”, and “that’s cool”,
respectively. They would sometimes give me advice, but they would
never be negative. If I was going to do something crazy, they would
have told me, but they respected my opinions, and pushed me forward.
Sanma Akashiya also taught me that it’s fun to make mistakes, which
impressed me. It doesn’t matter whether the decision was good or
bad, but how you act once you make the decision. Even if you regret
your decision, it will become another experience. I learned from
Sanma-san that everything depends on what you do.
I will never forget how my Morning Musume colleague, Kanon Suzuki,
told me when I was graduating “From now on, we’re friends, and
you can talk to me about everything.” Up to that point, she had
been a work colleague, but now, 5 years after graduating, I still
keep in touch with her every day.
It takes someone else to gain the strength to overcome loneliness.
I’m not the kind of person that makes friends easily, and there are
times I feel isolated, but I don’t agree at all with the phrase
“it’s ok to be alone”. Studying abroad also helped me realize
the importance of people. When I interact with people, I try not to
change my behavior based on the other person’s beliefs, but to be
myself, and honest.
Interviewer’s note: During the interview, one of the staff members
told Sayashi “You came back from studying abroad a lot stronger,
didn’t you?”, and she responded, laughing “Somewhat.”
However, by the end of the interview, I realized that she had indeed
become stronger, and able to challenge herself and move forward.
Since making her comeback in
September 2020, Sayashi has starred in plays and dramas, and appeared
on variety shows. She is also scheduled to have a solo concert in
May. As she says, “Since studying abroad, I have become more
dynamic”, and will continue challenging herself, writing lyrics,
and in many other activities.
First published: February 6, 2021
https://cancam.jp/archives/929328