Marina Horiuchi: Music is an indispensable means of "outputting" my feelings

Former member of Sakura Gakuin, Marina Horiuchi says: "Music is an indispensable means of "outputting" my feelings"

Marina Horiuchi, who after graduating from Sakura Gakuin has been involved in a number of different activities, is now making her debut as a solo artist!

To celebrate the release of her album "Nano Story", we have interviewed Marina Horiuchi.  In part 1 we talk about everything until her first album.

After graduating from Sakura Gakuin, Marina Horiuchi has continued working as a singer and actress.  In April of last year, she launched her Youtube channel to start her solo singing career, releasing original songs.  On March 10, her debut album "Nano Story" was released by her label, Lantis, and it was announced that she would start her solo career!

Newscrunch caught up with her to conduct a long interview, and in Part 1 we take a closer look at everything until her solo debut.

I wanted to sing in front of more people

After winning the 2007 Ciao Girl Audition, you began your career in 2009 with Mini Pati, a unit whose theme was cooking.  After that, you started your career with Sakura Gakuin, a group that was formed when you were in 6th grade.  You've been performing since you were in elementary school.  What motivated you to do so?

My parents love music so I began taking electone (electronic organ) lessons when I was 2.  I don't remember much from that time, but I remember how fun it was to play Disney songs with everyone.  

I enjoyed playing instruments, but I also loved singing.  An anime that was very popular at the time was "Kirarin Revolution", a song from which, I would sing at local festivals.  Once after singing, a girl my age that I didn't know, came to me and said: "I heard you singing earlier", which made me happy.  "Kirarin Revolution" was serialized in Ciao magazine, so when I found out they were holding an audition, I thought "I want to sing in front of more people!"  And I applied.

I see.  And then, you joined Sakura Gakuin.  What was it like working as an idol?

It was difficult.  I was among girls who were all very ambitious.  Also, I had never done any dancing before.  I was a good athlete, mostly as a sprinter or in relay races, so I was naive enough to think I could do it, but it was difficult to dance well, and in a group.

Marina, what I remember from Sakura Gakuin is that you were an exceptional singer, and that you were often in charge of the harmonies.  I am guessing singing wasn't as hard for you.

I was confident in my singing ability, but right after I joined the group, my teacher, in the middle of a lesson, said: "Horiuchi, you can't catch a note at all".  I remember crying in frustration in the train on the way home (laughs).

That's harsh (laughs).  Maybe it was because the teacher had high expectations of you?

Perhaps.  But these words didn't stop me.  Instead they made me want to work harder on my singing, to show the teacher what I was capable of!  So I'm glad that happened.

After graduating from Sakura Gakuin, everything was so different

Please tell us what you remember from Sakura Gakuin.

I remember the School festival, when I was in the 3rd year of junior high school.  It was a big event, held once a year, and the 4 3rd year junior high school members were supposed to lead, but it didn't go well at all.  We didn't have any problems with the songs, our performance, or the MC part, but I felt there was a distance from the audience.

That was the 1st day of a 2 day event, and the 4 of us talked a lot after the performance.  That was probably a good thing, because Day 2 was very successful.

Even now, when the 4 of us get together, it's as if we are back at junior high school, even though we have all grown up.  It's hard to get together due to the situation with covid, but I think the 4 of us are going to have a lifelong relationship.

You were young...

True!  When I graduated from junior high school, I also graduated from Sakura Gakuin (Sakura Gakuin is a group whose members graduate once they complete their compulsory education in March of that year).  At first, it was difficult to get used to this new situation.

Looking back, I thought I had found my calling, which was to sing in front of people, and having given a lot of performances, I feel it had become something I took for granted.  I was, all of a sudden, very confused because there was no place to "output" my thoughts.

However, after graduating from Sakura Gakuin, you did some solo work, such as appearing in musicals.

It was a really valuable experience!  Among other things, it made me think more as an individual.  When I was in Sakura Gakuin, I felt as one of the 12 members of the group, and I didn't feel confident enough to work on my own.  Because of that, I began writing lyrics, as a way to express my thoughts and feelings.

You were a high school student, right?

Yes.  I didn't want to forget anything, so I kept a small notebook in my pencil case to write everything down, right away.  I turned those notes into a lyrics notebook.

How much material do you have in that notebook?

Too much to fit into one binder.  I haven't counted, but I'm sure there are more than 30 songs.

Amazing!  And then you learned music composition in college.

That's correct.  While learning composition theory, I began playing piano, in addition to guitar, which I have played since I was a child.  I would experiment with different chord progressions on the piano and the guitar, and when I came up with something I liked, I would connect them to make a song.

It's easy to say "I made a song!", but it's actually something amazing!  This album, "Nano Story", contains 12 songs and instrumentals written by you, which you have been writing since you were in high school?

No.  Those songs are not included in this album.  Instead it includes songs I wrote, little by little over the last year, according to the story I imagined for myself, a story which finally came together in one piece.

PART 2

Marina Horiuchi says: "Making the album has changed me as a person"

In Part 2, we will talk about "Nano Story"

With the release of "Nano Story", Marina Horiuchi begins her career as a solo artist.  In this interview, we asked her to analyze the album, that has finally been released.

The main character, Nano Hana, imagines herself as a high school student

I would like to ask you about "Nano Story".  Can you tell us, first, what kind of album you were planning to make?

I wanted to make a concept album, where the songs are connected to each other, becoming one big story.  I first wrote "Nano Hana", which is the first song in the album, and the beginning of the story that continues throughout the album.

Is Nano Hana a projection of Marina?

You're right, she is.  I imagined myself as I was when I began writing songs in high school.  I was living in a world that wasn't changing, and I thought that if I continued like this, like a flower (hana), I would wither away.  I created this dream or ideal world, and I wanted to spread my wings towards it, but didn't know how.  It's a song about my past feelings, but also about becoming confident and moving forward.

The second song is "Violin Gensokyoku (Fantasy)"

When I was 12, my first stage appearance was "La Cordo d'Oro", and the world of the game is still fresh in my mind.  I played a violin fairy, and the character was supposed to encourage others.  In this song, Nano Hana meets the violin fairy who takes her to another world.

The worldview you present in this album, hasn't changed at all from the image of Marina I had from Sakura Gakuin, which is really nice.  I remember doing a photoshoot with you and, your senior, Ayami Muto for "Up to Boy", and while the setting was a school, you were dressed as angels in white dresses.  You had this mysterious power that made you look like an angel, and when you looked at the sky, it was as if you were daydreaming and the clouds were cotton candy.  It's been a long time since, but the song reminded me of that scene, and I thought "You're still Marina-chan".

Hahaha (laughs).  I probably was daydreaming (laughs).

You were daydreaming? (laughs)

I was just looking at the clouds (laughs).

I would like to hear more (laughs), but the next song is "Ne Hoshi yo"

The violin fairy took me to a new world, which was fun, but then I see the darkness around me, and I feel it in my heart.

Is this a story based on real experiences?

Yes.  On one hand, experiences are fun, on the other hand, they can be painful too.  It's a song about sending out an SOS, wondering how I can get rid of the pain.

The next song is "Empty Me".  While you're struggling, the morning arrives...

Correct.  It's a new morning, and I want to run out, but I can't go on if I think I have to do everything perfectly, so I just step out, even if there's nothing there.  "Zero is fine, emptiness is fine".

From there, after the instrumental "Fu" we move to "Yasashiihito" (A kind/gentle person).

"Yasashiihito" is also based on my own experiences.  The song is about getting closer to someone, and once that happens, a minor misunderstanding can be hurtful.

There is a lyric I really like in this song, "How many cups of miso soup have you had".  You like miso soup so much Marina, that you have it every day.

I have miso soup every morning!  Even if the main meal is bread, I still want miso soup!

Every listener has their own Nano Story

The next song is "Kokoro Ink" (Heart ink)

This song is also about my habits.  It's not good to hold onto worries and concerns, so I thought I should write them down.  When I was in Sakura Gakuin, I was really scared of showing my true feelings.  But I couldn't run away from them, so I decided to organize my thoughts and write them down properly in a notebook.  This song is about those experiences.

I see.  The way you describe it, it seems very natural for you to start writing lyrics after graduating from Sakura Gakuin.  The next song is "Welcome to Nanoland".

Nano Hana-san isn't free from her problems yet, but it's hard when you struggle all the time, so I'm taking her to dreamland for a while (laughs).  I have always loved theme parks, and I always wanted to express a world like that in a song, so this song is a fulfillment of that wish.

How does Marina-chan envision Nanoland?

The stars are twinkling, maybe the rain had just stopped, the ground is wet, and the starlight is reflected on it.  It's like a merry-go-round, gently illuminated by lights.

You sing "My name is Marina" here.  Does Nano Hana become Marina?

I think you're right.  It's a dream world, so the relationship between me and Nano Hana is ambiguous.  I would like to do a live concert one day.  It would be great if I could create the world of Nanoland.

Next is "Midnight Rail", which is as upbeat as "Welcome to Nanoland".  What is that sound at the beginning of the song?

It's the sound of a monorail.  When I was playing with "Nanoland", I couldn't get enough of it, so I decided to take a ride on the monorail, and leave this world.  I thought that, if I did that, the "cloudy" feelings ("moyamoya") I described in "Kokoro Ink" would go away.

These two songs have a lot of energy, and I am sure they will be fun to perform live.

When I was making the album, this is how I was planning to end it.  I was worried about so much, struggled, played a lot, and finally crossed the rainbow to reach a happy world.  However, when my co-writer, Yui Niitsu, looked at the lyrics she would ask me "What does this mean?" or "What made you think of this?"  She pointed out that the destination wasn't here, but where I started.  That's what the next song "Nashinka" is about.

So you arrived at a different conclusion than what you had in mind when you began making the album.

That's right.  I wanted a glittering world, but I realized it's not real.  I can only be me, and that's fine.

Because the album was made little by little, the process you describe feels very realistic.

By making this album, I was able to change a lot as a person, or rather, I was able to get over things.  I've always admired, and wanted to be like Nana Mizuki, but I thought "It's ok to be me", and that made me feel so free!  The last song, "Yume Nikki" (dream diary) is the result of that.  In the lyrics, I expressed my feelings after finishing the album, saying that I'm free now, surrounded by what's most valuable to me, the 9 songs and 2 instrumentals that came before "Yume Nikki".

Now that you have talked to us about each song, I feel I have a different impression of the album.  I'm sure this will be the case for our readers as well.  Could you give them a message?

I believe that everyone who will listen to this album has their own Nano Story.  I would be happy if you could relate to, even a small part of my story.  I think I grew up a bit as a person while making this album.  I hope that when you listen to "Nano Story", you get to know me as I am now, and share my feelings.

Part 1: https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/1711  

Part 2: https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/1729

Mayu Matsuoka's "wow" love for Riho Sayashi is immortal (taishu.jp March 22, 2021)

Mayu Matsuoka's "wow" love for Riho Sayashi is immortal; Her tears of joy at the surprise reunion

Actress Mayu Matsuoka (26) on March 18 appeared on the variety show "Ningen Kansatsu Monitoring" (TBS).  She was moved to tears during a surprise reunion with former member of Morning Musume, Riho Sayashi (22).

Matsuoka, and her co-star in the movie "Kiba: Fang of Deception", actor Yo Oizumi (47) participated in a quiz, part of which was a magic show.  The surprise appearance of Sayashi made Matsuoka, who is a big fan of Sayashi, respond with "wow!" and tears of joy.

It seems that the two of them had not met in a long time, and they greeted each other saying "How are you?" and "It's been a long time since we met."  Matsuoka, who appeared to have been keeping track of Sayashi's activities, brought up her solo live show, which is scheduled for May 28, saying "Congratulations on your solo live".  Sayashi then invited Matsuoka saying: "In May, if things are going well, please come".

Then, when Sayashi gave Matsuoka an aroma(therapy) oil and stone as a birthday present, a delighted Matsuoka said: "I still can't drink the tea you gave me 5 years ago" to explain that the tea Sayashi had given her was so valuable that she wanted to keep it instead of using it. She continued "I think I will do the same with this", to which Sayashi gently responded "Please use it."  Matsuoka then said "I will.  Thank you so much."

Matsuoka, who has always been a big fan of Hello! Project, and Momusu had sung their hit "One Two Three" with the group at Hello! Project HinaFes 2016.

Why Sayashi became Matsuoka's "oshi"

On April 3 of last year, when voice actor Koichi Yamadera (59) appeared on "Asaichi" (NHK), he talked about meeting Matsuoka at a Momusu concert, and described a scene that revealed her "Sayashi love".  When Yamadera and Matsuoka went to the waiting room to meet the members after the concert, and Matsuoka met Sayashi she was so nervous that she couldn't move.  Regarding the reason why she liked Sayashi so much, Matsuoka has said: "Because she graduated earlier than when we (Morning Musume "otaku") expected, she became a godlike figure ("kami") to me".  Her words became a hot topic among fans.

Due to their history, their reunion has drawn a lot of attention.  There were many comments on the internet, such as "I'm so happy for Mayu Matsuoka and Riho Sayashi", "Matsuoka really loves Sayashi", and requests to "hear more of their conversation".

After graduating from Hello! Project, she surprised her fans, working as a support dancer for BABYMETAL, but in September of last year, she resumed her entertainment activities, appearing on stage, in the tv drama "Anonymous" (TV Tokyo), and in a growing number of other activities.  It seems Matsuoka's "Sayashi love" will continue to grow as well.

  https://taishu.jp/articles/-/93152?page=1

 

Rihokora #19 - Mar 20, 2021 - Amazing Dance (Mo)vements Part 3

 More to come!

Hello!  We have made it to the 3rd installment.  This time, I really want to talk about Koharu Sugawara.  Since she is involved in many different activities, even people who don't follow dancing may have heard of her.

I don't remember how I came across Koharu Sugawara, but before I knew it, I had become obsessed with her dancing videos.  Her dancing is flashy, yet delicate, tense, but never forceful.

Also, she makes it look effortless, and it's easy to follow what she is doing.  She can complete difficult dance moves, without any errors.  I am sure that her dancing would look great, even in a time-lapse video.

Her costumes, and the way she uses her hair are both beautiful, so make sure to pay attention to such details.

When I watch videos of dancers, I get the impression that even the best dancers feel more powerful when they dance in groups, rather than by themselves, but in Koharu's case, there doesn't seem to be any difference.

Sharing my favorite videos

Let me introduce some of my favorite performances here!  

First, there is "Kimono" by Strawhatz, which you can watch on youtube.  The concept, and the way they use the music is really pleasing to watch.  It's fun to watch the moves of each person in the scene where they are dancing around the chabudai (short-legged, traditional Japanese table).  I highly recommend it.

The angle from which the performance was shot, combined with Koharu's haircut, was really nice.  It's one of my favorites for one more reason.  The music is by an artist called Troyboi.  Who is Troyboi?  If you want to learn more about him, please go back and read Part 1 of this series.  I love dancing to his songs, and I was happy his music was part of this performance too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLY-VBTqxO8

Next, there's a video of Mariah Carey's "Emotions" from the URBAN DANCE CAMP channel.  As the word emotions implies, this is a wonderfully emotional performance.  The range of the dance is rather narrow, and I feel that the emotions are trying to find some space in that narrowness to come out.  That's my take at least!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CXKClVW7lo

Finally, another choreography I like to do myself is the one for the song "Come Over" by Clean Bandit, again at URBAN DANCE CAMP.  I like Clean Bandit's songs, so I have been using them to practice dancing.  It was a little difficult to get the rhythm right before the chorus, because there are so many moves that you have to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7AuSAidsE4

There is so much I couldn't introduce, but everything I mentioned is recommended, so please go on a journey to find what you like the most!

I've talked about my favorite performers in the last 3 columns, but I have never seen any of them live, so one of my dreams is to go overseas and see them one day.

This is the last column about dancing.  There's so much more to talk about, so I will cover a different topic next time!  See you then!

https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/1801

Memories of her hometown that must not be forgotten

A different story this time...

She became an idol after the disaster in her hometown of Kesennuma.  Rikako Sasaki of Angerme and 3.11: Me since that day

Rikako Sasaki, a popular member of the Hello! Project idol group Angerme, who also works as a model, can't forget the memory of that day.  

March 11, 2011.  Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, the city where she was born and raised, was hit by strong earthquakes that exceeded 6.0 M_w.  

While she was desperately running up the hill to escape the tsunami, she looked back and saw an enormous wave swallowing the city she knew.  Although her family was safe, she lost her home in the tsunami, and the 9 year old was so shocked, she began suffering from depression.

One day she became an idol, where her job is to put a smile on people's faces.  It was the earthquake that gave her the opportunity to do so.

"This is something we should not forget.  Maybe I should be the one to tell the story." Rikako herself thought as the city of Kesennuma was slowly recovering.

The Great East Japan Earthquake (as it is known in Japan), affected many people's lives.  Tomorrow, March 11, will be the 10th anniversary of this disaster.

An earthquake in the middle of class... A black, muddy stream seen during evacuation

There is this picture.

Rikako Sasaki, visiting the remains of her home (the photo was taken on January 28, 2012 for Asahi Shimbun)

There is debris everywhere, and a small boat has been turned upside down.  A girl in a light-colored coat is standing next to the boat, and looks at the camera with a sad expression.  In January 2012, 10 months after the disaster, a photographer from the Asahi Shimbun, took photos in Kesennuma, for an article titled "Because I am an idol, I will make people smile".  The photos showed the aftermath of the tsunami.  The girl that the article was about had lost her home to the tsunami.  Rikako Sasaki was only 10 years old when the picture was taken.

Rikako in elementary school

It was graduation season.  Rikako, who was a 3rd grader, remembers working with her classmates, decorating the school for the celebrations.  Later, during math class, she felt the ground moving, which was followed by the worst earthquake she had ever experienced.

"I didn't have time to be scared" she says.  She was living with her parents, her brother, and sister, and her grandparents, and she was worried about their safety.

"After a while, my father rushed to the elementary school, and we evacuated, running to the hospital on the hill.  On our way there, I looked back.  A black, muddy stream was approaching.  I could not see our house from where we were, but I knew it had been swept away by the tsunami.

Fortunately, my entire family was safe, and we were able to reach the shelter, but every aftershock made me hide under the covers in fear, and I couldn't eat anything."

Although she was young, Rikako remembers being a happy girl.  The shock of witnessing the tsunami and the aftershocks however, made her depressed.  A few weeks later, when the water from the tsunami had receded, Kesennuma was not the city Rikako used to know.

The tsunami had reached the 2nd floor of her elementary school, but the building had remained intact.  She entered the building, horrified, and went straight to the shoe box near the elevator.  She opened it, and the pair of yellow and black (her favorite colors) New Balance shoes that her father had bought her, were still there.  They are the only memory she has from before the tsunami.

How becoming an idol made Rikako happy again

About a month later, her family left the shelter, and moved to a rental apartment.  Rikako however was still unable to adjust.  About half a year later, her father, who couldn't bear seeing her being depressed anymore, told her: "I sent an application".

Rikako had heard that an idol group was being formed in Kesennuma, and her father secretly sent an application for the audition, hoping to make her smile again like she used to before the earthquake.

The karaoke bar where the audition took place

The group's name was SCK45 (now SCK GIRLS).  Kesennuma is a fishing town, and the name stands for "sanchi" (origin), "chokuso" (direct delivery), and Kesennuma.  45 refers to Route 45, which runs through the city.  The group was the idea of a local volunteer group, who wanted to do something to cheer up the children in the area that were affected by the earthquake.

SCK GIRLS when Rikako was a member

SCK45 were formed in October 2011 with 6 members.  Rikako, who was 10, was the youngest member.  The group was looking for girls in junior high school or older, but Rikako was chosen, despite being only an elementary school student, for her ability to sing, as well as dance energetically, like "a fish out of water".

One month after the group's formation, they had their first performance.  None of the members had mastered singing or dancing yet, but their courage to perform with very little time to prepare made the people of Kesennuma smile again.

From makeshift stages in her devastated city to Budokan

Rikako, as a member of the SCK GIRLS

SCK45 performed at temporary housing areas and shopping streets in Kesennuma, as well as in Sendai, and Tokyo.  The group had a laidback atmosphere, and Rikako, who was the center, stood out.

Groups such as E-girls, or AKB48, that Rikako would watch on tv, were dazzling.  Before the earthquake she wanted to be an idol, but she never thought it could happen.  When she found out that her father had applied for the audition she said in English: "Papa, nice!".  It was as if a ray of light had shone on her.

As she continued performing, singing and dancing, she became more and more absorbed into being an idol.  She knew that if she smiled, the audience would smile too.  SCK45 were without a doubt a "disaster area idol group".  The members felt they had a mission to cheer up the victims of the tsunami.

There was a lot of criticism too by people saying the group was taking advantage of the disaster to gain sympathy, but they didn't have time to worry about such comments when they saw the people who had suffered being happy again.  The smiles of the people who came to see them, made the girls overcome the unkind words.

Rikako soon began saying: "One day, I will become the number 1 idol in the entire world!"

Her family was supporting her dreams, but she failed her audition to join Morning Musume.  In March 2013 however, 2 years after the earthquake, she became a Hello! Project kenshuushei (trainee).  A month later, she moved to Tokyo with her mother and sister, while her father remained in Kesennuma.

Fans supported her cinderella story, and after 1 year and 7 months, she joined Angerme (at the time known as S/mileage) in October 2014.  Her dancing and positive attitude, immediately made her very popular.

Rikako when she joined S/mileage, now Angerme

The next year, in May, she performed at Budokan.  Two days before her 14th birthday, she went from the makeshift stages in her disaster-hit hometown, to the top of the idol world.

Rikako with Angerme at Budokan, on May 26, 2015

Her hometown Kesennuma

About 390 km north of Tokyo, her hometown is now a long way away.  Her work as an idol only allows her to return home once a year, when her group is in Sendai for their tour.  Kesennuma Bay is known for its intricate coastline.  Two currents meet in the bay, which make it one of the top fishing grounds in the world for saury, bonito, and swordfish.  Sea urchins and oysters are also local specialties.

Ever since she was little, her father would take her to Asahi Sushi, a local sushi restaurant, and she had learned to enjoy sushi.  She still stops by every time she returns to her hometown.  Rikako has a good relationship with Rikio Murakami, the owner of Asahi Sushi, who she calls by his nickname "The Master".  Murakami remembers Rikako as a little girl eating sushi with her father.  She is now a top idol representing Kesennuma.

"She does a great job promoting Kesennuma." he says.  An autograph of hers is carefully displayed in the store.

Marika, the 3rd generation leader of SCK GIRLS, who knew Rikako in the early days of the group, recalls: "She had so much energy.  She would always strike a pose when there was a camera.  She was born to be an idol.  Despite being the youngest in the group, she was always proposing choreographies, and recruited 5 of her classmates to join the group.  She really enjoyed working as an idol."  There was one more thing that has left an impression on Marika.  SCK45 were born in an area hit by a disaster, and their songs shared that experience.  But Rikako would never show her pain.  "Rikako would never let what happened to us stop her.  Seeing her make her dreams come true, one after another, made every girl in Kesennuma dream."

A message she has thought about sending many times

On the night of February 13, about a month before the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Fukushima prefecture with a maximum seismic intensity of 6 on the Richter scale in both Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.  Rikako the next day posted the following message on Instagram: 

"Good morning everyone!  I hope everyone is doing well after last night's earthquake.  There are some areas where the power has been cut off.  The aftershocks are continuing.  I know these are going to be difficult days ahead of us.  First of all, we need to make sure everyone has their disaster prevention kits ready.  It's going to continue being difficult, so it's the least we can do.  It is better to be prepared, since we don't know what can follow, because if we are not ready, it will be too late.  In the event of an emergency, please act calmly, and prioritize saving lives.  I hope everyone has a good day!"

Born in Kesennuma, she then suffered a disaster in Kesennuma.  And then, she went on to become a national idol.  What could she do to explain how precious human life is?  She had been thinking about that for a long time.  On March 10, 2015, 13 year old Rikako, wrote in her blog: "Tomorrow, I will do my best.  ＼(^o^)/  It will be 4 years."  What she meant with that short sentence was that it was 4 years since that day.  That was all she could say.

She had thought many times of how to use the memories of what she experienced.  But she didn't know how to say what she was feeling, and was worried about hurting other people's feelings by writing about the disaster.  She also felt that she hadn't fully sorted out the memories of the disaster herself.

3 years later on March 11, 2018, she wrote: "We can't let nature defeat us.  Even if we are defeated, we must have the strength to stand up again."  As a survivor herself, she wrote about how every day that we are alive is a miracle that we should enjoy.

Then in 2019 and 2020, as March 11 would approach, she expressed her determination to never forget the disaster, and her gratitude to everyone who had supported her.

This year, on the 10th anniversary of the disaster, she is for the first time accepting interview requests from newspapers, tv, and other media, to finally talk about that day.  As time goes by and she is growing up, she feels it is her mission to share the memories of the disaster.

A place where she can be positive

Rikako has another place to return to when she goes to Kesennuma.  Mt. Anba-san is 239 meters high.  You can park your car in the middle of the mountain and easily reach the summit square by hiking.  Kesennuma was forced to re-start after the tsunami.  The view of the city from Anba-san is that of boats coming and going, and others anchored at the harbor.  The people of Kesennuma have lived with the sea all their lives.

The scenery changes rapidly as new buildings and breakwaters are being constructed.  Rikako doesn't think back to the days before the earthquake, nor does she feel sad about the changes in the cityscape.  She says: "The rebirth of Kesennuma makes me happy, and I feel more positive when I come back".

It was the rebuilding city of Kesennuma, and the thoughts of its people that made Rikako Sasaki the idol she is, not the Great East Japan Earthquake.  She says: "So much has happened, but I still love Kesennuma."  And she adds: "I sometimes think, what does it mean being an idol?  Being an idol was like a light that led me through the darkness.  I hope I can pass that light on to others now."

Interview / text: Keita Kishi, Photo: Masashi Kurobane, Yukinobu Tano, Daisuke Shiohata, Video: Naoto Egusa, Editing: Masahiro Maeda 

https://news.line.me/issue/premium-sasakirikako/2cb1ee4fd963

  

Rihokora #18 - Mar 6, 2021 - Amazing Dance (Mo)vements Part 2

 Let's talk again about dance!

This is part 2 of the column about dance.

This time, I would like to introduce "The Royal Family", a dance crew from New Zealand, led by Parris Goebel.  I think they are a team with a very different style than Kinjaz, who I introduced last time.

Do you know the song "Sorry" by Justin Bieber, which was a huge hit in 2016? (Note: I didn't)

The members of the Royal Family were performing in the MV for this song.  Even though it is a group choreography, each member is able to express themselves to the fullest, and yet, as a team, their performance is cohesive and powerful.

To me, this is the hip hop I envisioned since I was a little girl.  I'm sure there are many Japanese kids who dance and admire this style, braiding their hair, and wearing crop tops and loose pants!

Another example is that of the woman with the shaved head performing in the MV of the song "Bang Bang Bang" by BIGBANG.  That woman is Parris Goebel, the leader of this team.  It was a strong performance, so some of you may recognize her from this.

If you don't mind, I would like to compare them to Kinjaz, and say that, while Kinjaz do a static dance with subtle emotions, The Royal Family's dance moves are dynamic, and full of emotions.  Facial expressions are a big part of both teams' performances, but the way they use their expressions is completely different.

Another MV, and song, that I like and have watched many times is "Level Up" by Ciara.  The song's rhythm is so powerful, that it feels like your muscles are going to break.  Both the song and the dance moves are so catchy, and I try to copy them.  I can't really imagine myself performing like them, but as a viewer, I really like their style.  Since most of the song is really intense, dancing to the calmer parts of the song, provides a nice contrast to the more intense parts.

Don't miss my discussion with this guest!

Speaking of dance, I have invited guests of various backgrounds on my radio show "Sayashi Riho to marumaru to" (MBS Radio), and today's episode will feature the famous dancer and choreographer, TAKAHIRO!

It hasn't been recorded yet, but I think it's the first time I will have the chance to discuss dancing with a professional.  I really look forward to it.

It would be great if I could talk one day about my radio recordings, because it is something I have really enjoyed.  

I'm sure it will be an exciting conversation that will open your eyes to a new world, so please come and join us.  The program begins at 11:30, tonight!

By the way, the dance column isn't over yet.  Please look forward to the next installment. ^^

https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/1753

BRUTUS - What's new on the radio?

 BRUTUS Magazine (Issue no. 934, released March 1st, 2021), in their column "What's new on the radio? 17 questions and answers to help you understand the current state of radio", answered the question:

Q: Which programs allow you to see a new side of popular people that you can't see on tv?

A: Actresses thriving on the radio, by being themselves, every week!

More and more programs are being hosted by young actresses in their teens or twenties.  For example, Hikaru Takahashi is a genuine fan of comedy radio and listens to more than a dozen programs every week.  Her long-held desire to hold her own radio show came to fruition in October 2020, when she started her own program.  Other famous actresses such as Riho Yoshioka, Riho Sayashi, Hana Sugisaki, and Ai Hashimoto, are also in charge of their own programs.  Unlike tv, they don't have to show themselves to the camera, and they can truly be themselves.  In addition to behind-the-scenes stories, there are times when unexpected friendships are revealed.  The best part is that listeners can feel that a popular actress is talking only to them.

One of the 3 recommended shows is "Sayashi Riho to marumaru to", which is broadcast every Saturday night from 11:30 to 12:00 on MBS.

Riho Sayashi who listens carefully to her glamorous guests 

After graduating from Morning Musume, she has been working as an actress and singer.  She is calm, and a good listener, even when she has guests such as Kyoko Koizumi or Perfume.

"Ano ko no yume..." 60 seconds challenge

This is a translation of a Q&A Riho Sayashi did on the day her episode for the drama "I had a dream of that girl" aired on tv for the first time (December 4, 2020).  Riho was supposed to answer the questions in 60 seconds.

First question:

Q: What do you do when you want to forget an unpleasant situation?

A: Scream in my pillow.

Q: How would you describe your personality with one word?

A: "My own pace" kind of person.

Q: What do you do when you return home?

A: I wash my hands. 

Q: What do you want to be in another life?

A: I would like to be a singer.

Q: What is your weakness?

A: I am a little timid.

Q: What has been your latest fantasy?

A: I don't really have fantasies.

Time's up!

Source: https://ameblo.jp/saya4957tt/entry-12659772079.html