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 This time, we have included many stories that could not be published in the magazine, and a lot of ON stuff about dancing and studying abroad!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
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