Rihokora #22 - May 1, 2021 - Choosing the right plates

A new addition to Riho's way of life, Part 1

How is everyone's Golden Week going so far (note: Golden Week is a week that starts on Showa Day, April 29, and includes several national holidays)?  A year ago, I couldn't imagine I would be spending Golden Week again at home.  Many people are having difficulties adjusting to this situation, and losing patience.  I hope everyone can find the time to relax.

As for me, I am still trying to make the most of my time at home.  I don't think I have written about it yet in Rihokora(mu), but recently I began taking care of a houseplant called Everfresh.  This is a plant that opens its leaves in the morning, and folds them when the sun sets.  It looks different in the morning, and at night, which makes it look alive, and growing everyday, with good care.

It has only been about 2 months since Ebappi (a nickname I gave it for no reason) came to my house, but I have been pruning it, and the new leaves that have grown since are already quite large.  It has been fun looking forward to how it changes everyday.

A new addition to Riho's way of life, Part 2

Some more Riho news: I have beautiful new tableware at my house.

I saw an article online about an event.  The article was about a pottery event, and when I saw pictures of the works, I became very excited, and went to the event immediately.

I like household goods, but although I have been to a pottery class to learn to make plates, this was my first time at a tableware art exhibition.

When I arrived at the venue, I was guided to the first floor, and part of the 2nd floor of a 2 story coffee shop, that were used as a gallery where the artwork was shown.  There were exhibits with brown patterns, like milk tea, others with animal faces, such as a flying squirrel, and so on.  All the works were different than what I had at home, their shapes and colors were wonderful, and because they were handmade, they were all unique.

Due to the measures, only a limited number of people with tickets could enter the store, and everyone in the gallery took their time to find which pieces they wanted to take home.  It was a moment when I understood what it's like to be a collector.

After much thought, I narrowed down my choices to these two pieces here:

 They both have a good size to serve a meal.  The one on the left is a work by Naoto Nakagawa, and the one on the right by Yoshiran Sagawa.  With their blend of bold colors, and the texture of the borders, they go well with both Japanese and western dishes, and make even the most simple meals look magnificent (lol)

The colors are so beautiful!  I think so every day when I look at them, but they look impressive in the photos too.  Same way I like to know who produced the vegetables I buy, I also like to know who made the plates I use.

I am sure I will use them for a long time, and I will take good care of them.  I am glad I went.

https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/1929 

Riho and Fuku-chan talk about Hina Fes 2019

April 25, 2021 - Sayashi Riho to marumaru to #21
Guest: Mizuki Fukumura (leader of Morning Musume '21)

(An email has asked them to talk about Hina Fes 2019)

Riho Sayashi: Well, you know, it was my first time on the stage after graduating from Morning Musume.

Mizuki Fukumura: yep

R: Morning Musume had been going on for a long time after I left, and then I was asked "Do you want to be in it?"  So I was really worried.

M: hmm

R: I thought... I would be an inconvenience (lol)

M: fufufu (hehehe) That's not true

R: No, no.  Everyone was doing their best, and if I showed up, I would have been an inconvenience.

M: hehe

R: It's like "Do you show up whenever you want to?"

M: No, that's not true

R: I talked to Fuku-chan about it, and you said "I want us to stand on the stage together" or something like that, so you're the one who made it happen.

M: yep

R: You gave me a push (lol)

M: hehe

R: I was overreacting about being on stage with everyone.  (lol) Was it ok? hehe

M: Eh, you know (lol), Masaki-chan said something: "The 9th and 10th ki (generation) will shine with Sayashi-san".

R: Eh? (lol)

M: She said that

R: What? hehe

M: Yes, something like, there are people who like Riho-chan and Ayumi-chan

R: Ah...

M: And people who like Shuwapoku, Riho-chan and Maa-chan (lol).  Right?

R: yep

M: Something like, Riho-chan and Ayumin, always had dance battles, and it would be inspiring

R: Hmm.. sometimes we did

M: We were going to do it together as generation mates

R: yep

M: It would make us speed up, I think

R: yes, I see

M: We all have different rivalries

R: yep

M: We have great relationships that are even better because of the rivalries

R: That's right...

M: It was just "Only you" and "One two three" but we worked really hard, and I think it was a great performance.

R: Yep.  I also thought that everyone had improved since I left.  I thought it was really cool to watch everyone, and to try to keep up with them.

M: yep

R: I thought that everyone was really encouraging, so I felt I could go out there, and not feel anxious, and I think it was a really good time.

M: hmm

R: No, I mean, if you watch everyone's performance, and it may sound like I am exaggerating but, it felt as if the group was being protected (by how everyone performed)

M: yep

R: That's how I feel, and in many ways, it was a very emotional day.

M: yep.  It felt like we were doing some special moves. (lol)

(both laugh)

R: Special moves? (lol) Oh, like this

M: yes. Amazing!

R: But, no, it was fun.

M: A great performance.

R: no...

M: ...

R: I mean, because we did it together.

M: I was happy too, that we were able to perform together for the first time in 3 years.

R: Thank you.

(more laughing)

Nikkei Entertainment! March 2021 - Riho Sayashi interview Pt. 2

 Riho Sayashi who graduated to see the world (that was "bigger" than she thought)

Riho Sayashi graduated from Morning Musume in 2015 and restarted her entertainment activities in 2020.  What she thinks has changed significantly in the last 5 years is that diversity is more accepted now.  Her ability to recognize these changes seems to have been greatly influenced by the experiences she gained after graduating from Morning Musume, such as moving to New York by herself to study English and dance.  Why did she decide to study abroad?

- "When I was 17, I went to New York for a Morning Musume concert, and that made me think about my future.  When I told the local coordinator that I want to study English, they said, very light-heartedly "It won't be too late if you go now!" (laughs)

Until then, I had often been unable to try things, so I wanted to improve in doing that, even if it was a minor improvement.  The United States I saw with my own eyes were very different than what I had imagined, and I realized the world was a bigger place than I thought it was, which made me graduate with a positive attitude.

In New York, I took 4 well-known dance classes.  I spent a lot of time in the street jazz class.  Depending on the teacher, the dance style was different than, say, hip hop or rock, and it was interesting to see how close it is to creative dance (note: a style where the dancer dances without being bound by a fixed choreography).

I had a teacher from Puerto Rico that left a strong impression on me.  I would ask "which joints do you use when you dance?" when he danced like a mollusk because I couldn't understand anything (laughs).

Also, the students were not copying the teacher, but used the moves taught as material to make their own dances.  And no matter what they did, the teacher would say "Amazing!"  That was a cultural shock to me because in Japan, I thought the coolest way to dance was by matching the rhythm.  When I wasn't learning English or dance, I tried to experience different things, and Japanese people who lived in the city had recommended to me different things, such as vintage clothing stores, museums, and theater plays."

 How studying abroad changed her values

- "As I did all this, my way of thinking and my values changed significantly.  Before, I used to worry too much about what people thought of me, and I tried to be like people I admired.  But living alone in New York, I was able to gradually be able to face myself, and I began to realize that life is meaningless if I am not myself.

At the same time I realized I really liked performing.  I began to feel strongly that I wanted to perform on stage, regardless of whether I was in the entertainment industry or not.  Thankfully, after my return to Japan, I was approached by some people, and I am really grateful I was able to come back."

Her new agency is Japan Music Entertainment, where Ryoko Shinohara and others belong, and she has focused on acting since her restart.  She says that there are many similarities to singing.

- "I was acting in theater productions, even when I was in Morning Musume, but I wasn't very good at it.  However, in an attempt to expand my activities, I decided to start acting, and to improve through trial and error.  Recently, I have been feeling that acting is similar to singing and dancing, and I really enjoy interacting with my co-stars during my performances.  It's somewhat similar to interacting with the audience when performing as a singer or dancer.  Under the current conditions it is not easy to do so, but in the future I would like to audition for international productions.

My live show in May will be the first time I will be involved in song selection, choreography, and direction.  So I want to do something different than when I was 17.  Nowadays we watch a lot of videos, so I want to do something that will make people say "It is so much better live!".

In the future, I would like to continue doing different things, but ideally, I would like people to think "she's a singer" when I'm doing music, and "she's an actress" when I am acting.  I want to do everything properly.

I also want to challenge myself and do something that will surprise my fans in a good way, such as opening a Youtube channel, and posting videos of me street dancing in different places.  I also think it would be interesting if I, all of a sudden, decided to do pottery (laughs).

https://style.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO70984370U1A410C2000000?channel=DF280120166614

Nikkei Entertainment! March 2021 - Riho Sayashi interview

Former member of Momusu, Riho Sayashi, was worried about her 5 year absence

Born in Hiroshima prefecture on May 28, 1998.  She passed the 9th audition of Morning Musume when she was 12.  She was the group's ace, but graduated at the end of 2015.  After studying abroad, she resumed her entertainment activities in October 2020.  On May 28 she will hold her first solo live after graduating from Morning Musume at Toyosu PIT.

In 2011 when she was only 12, Riho Sayashi was selected as a member of the 9th generation of Morning Musume, and with her great performance skills gained many fans as the group's "absolute ace".  However, in 2015, she suddenly announced her graduation from the group, and left the entertainment industry to study abroad.

She joined a new agency in September 2020, and resumed her performance career 5 years after her graduation.  In November, she appeared in the tv drama "I had a dream of that girl".  In addition to that she appeared on stage in musicals, and her acting career is in full swing.  Finally, she is planning a solo concert in May at Toyosu PIT.

How the entertainment industry has changed during the last 5 years

How did you feel when you made your comeback after 5 years?

- "I was worried about my 5 year absence.  To be honest, I was worried that I would be forgotten while I was gone from the entertainment industry.  I was wondering how I would be received, so I opened an Instagram account in May of last year before returning.  I was wondering what I would do if the only comments I got were "is this a fake account?" (laughs).  But I was happy to find out people were still interested.

There was one more reason I opened an Instagram account at the time.  I thought there must have been a lot of people, like me, who were struggling staying at home due to covid.  So I thought I should do something for the people who know me at least.

When I was in Morning Musume, SNS were just starting to be used in Japan, but now they have become an indispensable tool.  When I used them I felt very close to the fans, which gave me the strength to make a fresh start.  I'm not the type of person that posts a lot, but if I don't make any updates at all, I feel people will be worried, so I try to make periodic updates.

What I think has changed during the last 5 years is that diversity is more accepted.  There are idols that continue their activities, even after they get married, and I think the idea that idols are supposed to be a certain way is fading, and it has become acceptable to be different as well.  That made me feel that there was room for me to do something too."

In part 2 of the interview Riho talked about studying in New York, and about her future plans.

Riho Sayashi: Her story so far, and her restart

2004 - Enrolled in Actor's School Hiroshima: At the age of 6, she enrolled in ASH.  In 2010, she passed the audition and appeared in a Morning Musume theater play.

2011 - Joining Morning Musume: She was chosen among 9000 applicants to become a member of the 9th generation of Morning Musume.  She led the group as the ace of that era in the group's history.

2015 - Graduation from Morning Musume: After a performance at Nakano Sunplaza, she graduated from the group in December.  She then went to New York to study dance and English.

2020 - She returns to the entertainment industry after 5 years: In September she announced her affiliation with Japan Music Entertainment and resumed her artistic activities.  She has appeared in musicals on stage, tv dramas and more. 

https://style.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO70984350U1A410C2000000/

Riho-chan and Fuku-chan on the radio talking about their trip to USJ

April 18, 2021 - Sayashi Riho to marumaru to #20
Guest: Mizuki Fukumura (leader of Morning Musume '21)

(They have been asked an email question about an interesting episode that took place after Riho returned to Japan from the United States; They are discussing their trip, along with Mizuki's mother, to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka)

Mizuki Fukumura: There is one

Riho Sayashi: fufufu (hehehe)

M: Right?

(they both laugh)

M: Well, there is one, with me, Riho-chan, and my mother (lol)

(more laughing)

M: The 3 of us (lol), and we went to USJ (Universal Studios Japan in Osaka) (lol)

R: We did, right?  We travelled there... together (lol)

M: Yes.  We had fun for 2 days, right?

R: Umm.. yes.  I don't really go to amusement parks

M: Umm...

R: I was worried.  I thought, can we do this?

M: (lol)

R: But it was really fun hehehe

M: So when we were in Morning Musume together, you didn't go to amusement parks?

R: right hehehe

M: What was it... umm... a cafe or something

R: That's right

M: We never really prepared anything in advance

R: Yep

M: It was like "Are you free today?"

R: The only one who was proactive was Eripon (lol)

M: Yes (lol) That's true (more laughing)

R: About going to amusement parks

M: The 3 of us (note: Mizuki, Riho and Kanon) were more laid back

R: yep

M: So, I invited Riho-chan to go to USJ with me

R: Yes

M: First, I said, do you want to go?  Or are you worried?

R: That's right hehehe

M: First of all, Riho-chan, can you go and have fun?

R: hehehe

M: Can you do it? (lol)

R: hehehe I was really worried (lol)

M: You were worried, but I told you we would stay there, and have fun for 2 days, and that I was really looking forward to it.  Just like that.

R: Yes, yes

M: You were really tired, right?

R: It was fine

(more laughing)

M: It was so much fun, but you're not really the screaming type...

R: Me?

M: Yes (lol)

R: Isn't that true about you too Fuku-chan?

M: I'm not a screamer either

R: Yep

M: That one time, with the flying dinosaur...

R: Yep..

M: It was like riding a pteranodon or something (lol)

R: You know, there was nowhere for me to put my feet

M: Well, that was the plan.  It was an attraction, and since we were already in Osaka, I thought we should ride it.

R: Yep

M: Riho-chan wasn't sure though...

R: hehehe

M: Right... (lol)

R: You're right (lol)

M: Mom didn't want to go.  My mom, I mean

R: Yep

M: She said: "Why don't the 2 of you go?", and I said "Since we're here, let's go", and then "Well let's wait in line, and we can decide while we're waiting" (lol)

R: Yep, yep

M: And as we were waiting, you kept saying "I can't do it, I can't!" or something like that

R: hehehe I was, yes

M: You said "Isn't it dangerous?"  But you did it anyway

R: Yes

M: It was so much fun riding it

R: Yes, hehe but...

M: You said "It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be"

R: I kept my eyes shut the entire time hahaha

M: hehehe Well it was scary (lol)

R: Yes, well, I was scared at first, but eventually I got used to it

M: Yep

R: When I relaxed, I thought "This is actually fun"

M: You know, it wasn't so much that it was scary. It just felt as if we were floating in the wind.

R: Yep

M: It was like "I'm a pteranodon now!"

R: You were (lol)

(more laughing)

R: Hey, if we go back again now, maybe I will feel that way too (lol)

(both laugh)

M: But in the end we went to the attraction I enjoyed the most

R: The rollercoaster?

M: Yep

R: It's amazing, you remember everything

(laughing)

R: When you said that, I thought "oh yeah, that's right" (lol)

M: It was pretty crowded or something

R: Yep

M: and my mother dropped her handkerchief (lol)

R: Yep, yep

M: And we had to look for it (lol)

R: I remember that

(laughing)

R: And then your mother bought us dinner (lol)

(they both laugh)

M: It was fun, right?

R: It was really fun.  We should go there again.

M: I want to go too!

R: yep

M: by all means

Rihokora #21 - Apr 17, 2021 - It's not too hard, if you think about it

 Bad habits?  Be aware of them and they will change

In Tokyo, the cherry blossoms from the sakura trees have already fallen, and they have become trees with beautiful leaves.  In my neighborhood, there is a place where you can often see sakura trees, and recently, I have been enjoying taking walks during the day, and looking forward to seeing the flowerless sakura trees.

Just recently I discovered something.  I am always rushing myself.

I was talking about my life to a person at work recently.  "Well, first, before I entered the entertainment industry, I, eh... took dance lessons" "Ah, I asked my parents to let me take lessons.  And well..." I explained, and the response was "I am being patient, so please explain everything in order.  Why are you in such a hurry?"

Surprised, I thought "wow, that's true!  Why am I being impatient if no one is rushing me?"

I was then told "Can you calm down and explain it to me again?", at which point, I took a deep breath, organized my thoughts, and I was able to explain everything in a better way than when I was in a hurry.  That wasn't difficult at all, I thought!  I was able to calm down, simply by being aware of the need to do so.  Or rather, it is more so that I realized I don't have to feel that unpleasant anxiety I have when I am impatient.

Sometimes, when I am impatient, words come out of my mouth without thinking, which makes me even more impatient, and I fall into a negative cycle.  Is it because I am trying to avoid silence?

I was wondering if anyone else felt the same way. 

Finding the right words to convey what you mean

I am quite careful with my words when I am writing, whether it is for my column or on instagram.  "Am I using words that express my feelings accurately?  Are my words hurtful to others?" (this is what I keep in mind when I write, and I sometimes have to go back and edit my column lol)

The more tasks I have, the more and more careful I become, to the point where my head begins to hurt.  That's when the alert goes off.

However, during a recent meeting with my managers, I received a better response when I explained in words the project I had in mind, rather than when I showed them the written materials I had prepared.  Expressing it in words was better I guess.

I discovered that, even though the feelings are the same, the way they are conveyed differs, depending on what words are used to express them, and that the amount of time we spend preparing our words, doesn't always matter.  In the future, I will try to be calm, and have more confidence in my own words.

About this photo:  I recently tried gel nails for the first time.  The design was kawaii, but the gel rounded off the tips of my nails, I wasn't able to easily pop them off when they were itchy, and I couldn't properly play guitar, which I have been practicing lately.  So I went back to my own nails.  I have been doing my own nail polish for years, so I am confident I can do it neatly.  I'm in the mood for navy blue this week!

https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/1885
   

Riho on the radio

The following are excerpts from Riho's radio show "Sayashi Riho to marumaru to".

March 13, 2021 - Sayashi Riho to marumaru to #15

Guest: Takahiro (choreographer of Keyakizaka46, Sakurazaka46, Hinatazaka46)

Sayashi Riho: What are your goals at the moment?
Takahiro: I wonder what kind of choreography I could do for Sayashi-san.
R: Would Takahiro-san really be interested in doing a choreography?
T: Yes!
R: Wow!  Really!  Well, I would be interested too.
T: Here, have my business card.
R: Of course!  I have always been interested, but it takes a lot of courage to propose such a thing, so I didn't expect you to say that.

(Later)

T: Sayashi-san, this is one of the two songs that were released the day before you were born (on the previous episode he had chosen to play "Kofukuron" or The Theory of Happiness by Ringo Sheena, which also came out the day before Riho was born): "Summer Night Town" by Morning Musume.

R: Amazing.

T: It's a really good song, isn't it?

R: It is, yes.

T: I was young when it came out.

R: I'm glad you chose it.  I like this song too.

T: Is this the 2nd song?

R: It's the 2nd single.

T: This is where the beat was born.

R: It seems so.

T: I think this is the song where Morning Musume's sound was born.

R: Current Morning Musume, all versions actually, have a similar rhythm, right?

T: That rhythm is so cool.

April 11, 2021 - Sayashi Riho to marumaru to #19

Guest: Kavka Shishido (singer, drummer, actress)

(they are answering questions from listeners)

Sayashi Riho: Our next message is from "my middle fingernail flew off!" from Hiroshima prefecture

Shishido Kavka: Ok...

R: hehehe (fufufu)

K: hehehe

R: (reading the message) Riho-chan, Shishido Kavka-san, good evening. (lol)

K: Hi.  Good evening.

R: (continues reading) I am under the impression that Shishido Kavka-san's personal life is a mystery.  Does Kavka-san cook?  Do you have any special dishes?

K: Umm...

R: Wait.. one moment

K: Yes

R: You know, this email... (lol)

K: Yes

R: hehehe... we had Chiba Yudai-san here last week.  He's really nice. (lol) He sometimes sends emails to the radio.

K: Eh...

R: Then I thought. I'll try it too.  Anonymously (lol)

K: Umm..

R: So I sent some emails to this program.

K: Yes, ok.

R: And that was one of my emails hehehe

K: So you picked it..

R: We picked it, yes

K: wow

(they both laugh)

K: So, did your middle fingernail fly off?

R: Oh no (lol), I was just exaggerating (lol)

K: I see

R: I have gel nails (lol)

K: Ah, so that's what it is...

R: Yes hehe

K: hehe so you didn't peel it off, right?

R: That's right

K: Good, good

R: I made up that name because the middle finger gel nail flew away

K: So you picked it

R: Thanks for playing along.  I'm sorry (lol)

K: We need to tell Chiba-san

R: Yes (lol)

(they both laugh)

R: I did it Chiba-san!

K: You did it

(more laughing)

(Later)

R: Let's continue

K: Yes

R: This one is from "my right leg is injured" from Hiroshima prefecture

K: Are you ok?

R: hehehe It's me! hahaha

K: Ah..

(laughing)

K: Amazing!

R: Amazing!  It's the 2nd one.

K: The 2nd one!

(more laughing)

R: The 2nd one (lol). Thanks (lol)

K: Wonderful!

R: And my injured right leg is fine.  It's just swollen (lol)

K: I see

R: Everyone, it's just a scratch (lol)

K: hehehe is it ok?

R: It's fine

(more laughing)

R: Totally fine

K: Good

R: So I will read the email.  RihoRiho, Kavka-san, I am glad you met.

(more laughing)

K: This is a joke, right? (lol)

R: I just started working and joined the adult world, and have become interested in fashion.

K: Yes

R: Riho-chan, Kavka-san, you both have black hair and I think it suits you 

(a lot of laughing)

K: How did you feel when you wrote that?

(more laughing)

R: What do you mean?

(even more laughter)

R: The email says: Are black hair your favorite style?  If you dyed your hair, what color would you choose?

K: Ah...

R: That's my email (lol)

(they both laugh)

Riho Sayashi AERA English interview (Apr 9, 2021)

 Former member of Morning Musume, Riho Sayashi, on studying abroad: "It was very lonely".  She explains her English learning method that led to a TOEIC score of 820

At the height of her popularity with Morning Musume, Riho Sayashi decided to graduate and study abroad.  Her experience studying abroad allowed her to improve her English enough to score 820 on the TOEIC test.  In the Spring & Summer 2021 issue of AERA English (Asahi Shimbun Publishing), which is currently on sale, Sayashi-san talks about her experience studying abroad, and the difficulties she had in learning English.

Riho Sayashi was known as Morning Musume's "absolute ace" for her outstanding performance skills.  In 2015 she announced her shock graduation and left Japan, stating "I want to go abroad to study English and dance".  That sounds cool, but she was only 17 at the time, and the people around her were quite worried.  In addition to that, in middle school she had prioritized work over school.  Her English grades were at a level that would give someone an "it's nothing but a waste" complex.  So why did she all of a sudden decide to study abroad?

"In 2014 we performed in New York, and there was a handshake event after the live performance.  Everyone spoke to me in simple English, but all I could say in response was "Thank you."  I was embarrassed and I felt I should learn how to express myself in English."

But it wasn't just that.  This was also a time when Sayashi-san was thinking about her future.

"When I was 17, I began to think I should have more experiences.  I told myself, I don't want to grow up the way I am now.  These feelings had become too strong, and I had to change my environment completely."

Being 100% serious about studying English and dance

She didn't want to simply say that she studied abroad.  She wanted to be 100% serious about learning English and studying abroad.  That was why she first went to English school to improve her English, and then to dance school.  Doing both was a conscious choice, and as Sayashi-san tells us, a very good one too.

"I think I could have studied dance, even if I didn't speak English.  The confidence however that I had after learning English was my "omamori"* when I began attending dance school.  When learning for example a dance genre I had never tried before, I could ask detailed questions such as "How do I do this move?", which helped me improve my dance skills."

*omamori: amulets sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples said to provide luck and protection.

The "Wall" I encountered initially when studying abroad

However, during her first 3-4 months abroad, she ran into a wall, where she couldn't speak or understand English.

"There were days when I didn't talk to anyone at all, and I felt incredibly lonely.  I was saved by being able to talk to my mother and my friends in Japan every night on SNS, and I thought I was really lucky to be able to study abroad at a time when the internet exists (laughs).

Sayashi-san admits that she has always been a shy person.  Even when she was in Japan, she had the tendency to not ask people to repeat what they said when she didn't understand something.  

"It was even more difficult to ask questions in English, so I simply pretended to understand, which led to mistakes and problems."

Sayashi-san began to think that while she had left Japan to improve herself, she had not accomplished anything.

"I realized that when I don't understand something, I can, ... or rather, I have to ask questions."

It is important to write down frequently used words, memorize them, and use them

Sayashi-san wrote down, in a notebook, sentences she would use often: "Please repeat that", "How do I get to ...?", "What does this word mean?" etc.

"I learned that if I am prepared ahead of time, I can ask questions more quickly.  I don't even remember how many times I asked "What does it mean?"."

After a few months, she was able to respond without thinking.  As her conversational skills improved, her relationships at the language school also expanded.

"Everyone had such a positive attitude, that I stopped being so shy.  I was practicing my English with a girl from Saudi Arabia.  The Arabic script is pretty amazing, right?  I taught her a little Japanese too.  Words like "omae" (=you) (laughs)."

Sayashi-san currently holds a TOEIC score of 820.  To not let her English skills deteriorate, she makes time to watch American news programs or other English videos on Youtube.

While Sayashi-san accomplished her first goal, which was to improve her English, was she also able to achieve her second goal, which was to change and improve herself?  She answers with a smile:

"To be honest, my personality hasn't really changed (laughs), but I realized that when I act, my way of thinking, accepting things, and my sense of accomplishment, will all change (laughs).  Now, when I want to do something, I think about it carefully, and then, do it without hesitation."

Riho Sayashi: Born in Hiroshima prefecture in 1998.  Made her debut as a member of Morning Musume's 9th generation in 2011.  She graduated from Morning Musume in 2015, and moved abroad to study dance and English.  She resumed her performing career in September 2020, and has been expanding her activities since.

Article: https://dot.asahi.com/dot/2021040700061.html?page=1

Sakura Oda of Morning Musume and cats

Sakura Oda of Morning Musume and cats: "I want to give happiness to the cats I have the chance to meet".

Morning Musume released their 16th album on March 31st.  Their "utahime" (diva), Sakura Oda is known to be a big cat lover, and often posts heartwarming pictures of her beloved cats on her blog.

Looking at these pictures, it is clear that she not only loves them, but also cares deeply about their lives.  In this album interview extra, she talks about her love for cats and her experience as a "milk volunteer" in 2020.

The Oda family, which loves cats, has had a total of 9, and up to 5 at a time

Oda-san, it seems that your parents have always had cats.  How many did you have?

When I was born we had 2, then 3 more, but one lived outside.  She was more comfortable there, so she became our outdoors cat.  Then, another one came to our house, and we again had 5.  Then, 3 of them died, but we got 3 more.  Then, 2 of them died, so now there are 3.  There are always 2-5 cats in the house.

Thanks for the Oda family cat history lesson (laughs).  I also have 5 shelter cats, so I understand.  It's a lot of work with all the nail trimming, shedding, and toilet cleaning.

They're a lot of work, not just cute.  With 5 of them, it's just crazy.

They're all shelter cats, right?

That's right.  They were homeless or abandoned cats.  The truth is that we just wanted to have more kittens.  The first two we had were kittens, which grew up with me when I was little, so I don't remember much about them.  At the time, we were planning to get another cat, but we found 2 that were very close to each other, so we decided to keep both of them.  And then, there was a male calico cat, from a house that had too many cats, so we had to take him in as well.

Male calico cats are rare.

It seems so.  They are very rare, and very expensive.  We took him in so that we could find a good owner.

"Milk volunteering" began during the lockdown

Last year, you mentioned on your blog that you were a "milk volunteer".

We only take care of them while they need milk, and return them to the Non-Profit when they can eat baby food, and learn to use the toilet.  We were trying to help out, but right now we don't have any, just our own cats.

What made you get involved with "milk volunteering"?

There is this person who acts as an intermediary between the Non-Profit and people who can't keep their cats.  That person was taking care of shelter cats, but there were too many during the lockdown, so we decided to help out.

On your blog last year you said that you kept 29 cats.  That's a lot, right?

It's a lot of work, but we didn't have them all at the same time.  It was the first time we were doing it, so at first we took 5 that were in good health, and when we returned them, we got other ones.  Last year during the lockdown I was able to do it because I had a lot of free time, but I would like to continue doing it in the future if possible.

They're not just cute and tiny.  What you need to think about when you get a cat

Oda-san, there were stories like yours, of people who started to "milk volunteer", but also stories of people who got pets during the lockdown because they were lonely, and ended up abandoning them because they couldn't take care of them.  What would you like to say to people who are thinking of getting a pet?

Kittens and puppies are cute, but if you are thinking of getting one for that reason, it's probably better not to do it.  I know it sounds harsh, but it's the same as saying "I'm sorry for them, but they have nowhere to go".  If you don't know how hard it is to have a pet, please consider seriously whether you can take care of it properly.

I sometimes show pictures of kittens to friends or coworkers and when I do, they say: "So cute!"  When I hear that, I give a lot of thought to what I should do.  I must find owners who can really take care of them, because "cute", simply isn't enough.  Even if they tell me that they can take care of them, and already have pets, I am really worried.  It's even more difficult if they have never had pets before...

If I can't tell whether someone can take care of a cat, I would rather not give it to them.  If they can't take care of it, and return it, I will certainly take care of it, but in such a case, I would prefer that they never took it in the first place.

That's true for any pet, not just cats, right?

That's exactly right.  Thanks to the increasing number of Non-Profits, the number of cats that end up at a shelter has gone down, but I would prefer if there were no homeless or abandoned animals.

What is your advice for people who are considering becoming "milk volunteers" in the future?

It's all about whether you can make sacrifices, you know?  I was able to do it because my family could help, but if you live alone, you may have to cut back on your work hours.  Early in a kitten's life, you must feed it every 2 hours, even in the middle of the night, and since it can't go to the bathroom by itself, you have to take care of it.  It would be sad if you were so busy that you neglected the kitten.  I want to give happiness to the cats I have the chance to meet.

I think it would be great if a "milk volunteer" has some knowledge about kittens, and also has family or friends that can help.

https://thetv.jp/news/detail/1026284/

Rihokora #20 - Apr 3, 2021 - A new life, with your head up high

The "you can do it" (donikanaru) wave

This is the 20th installment of Rihokora.  Thank you to everyone who has been reading my column.

The series started in July of last year, and thankfully, I have been able to intuitively write, as much as I can, about what I feel at the time, while many changes have been taking place in my life.

I have been doing things suddenly, such as starting a special dance feature.  These sudden decisions of mine have been accepted, which makes it easy for me to write.  I am grateful to be in such an environment.

So, the new year is here.  Are any of you starting something new?  Are you looking forward to it?  Or are you nervous?

I have been in many different environments, and no matter what happens, or whether, at the time, I am thinking "This is the worst!", I have come to realize that things always work out!

I have had these "This is the worst!" feelings many times, but thanks to everyone, I am still doing well.  It wasn't all by myself.  I had a lot of help.  It's what I call the "you can do it" wave.  If you want to do something, you can make it happen.  

When I think about what I am doing now, I feel that everything that has happened led to this moment.  I have learned, for example, not to say hurtful things others have said to me and made me depressed.  If something I do makes others happy, I will continue to do it.  And since I have been helped by other people, I would like to be a person that helps back.

The first step... is to believe in a bright future

There are times when something may traumatize you or affect your mental health.  At such times it is difficult to think positively.  However, with time it is possible to recover, by putting yourself in an environment where you can calm down, and not push yourself too much.

Of course, we should be determined to do our best at work or school.  However, unless it's absolutely necessary, we shouldn't be sacrificing our body or mind.

I am ashamed to admit that there was a time when I thought it was cool to work hard, even if it meant destroying myself.  I think it's good to be honest with ourselves sometimes.

As long as we don't do anything bad, or hurtful to others, I think it is ok.  When we make a mistake, we must reflect on it, and try to improve.

When we are worried, that means we are taking a problem seriously.  So we should be proud of that.  That's what I tell myself.

Once I have done all that, I feel I can be kinder, both to myself and to others.

The change of seasons is the time when a lot of people become anxious, right?  I thought it would be a good idea to write about that, based on my own experiences.  Hopefully my words can be a very, very small "omamori"* for those entering a new environment.  I am also a person that is still learning.

*an amulet commonly sold at Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples that provides various forms of luck or protection

I hope everyone has a wonderful new year!  

Ah, it's something totally unrelated, but please take a look at this.

My mother, out of the blue sent me a message saying "I made this!" 

She doesn't use Instagram, but it looks so much better than anything on my Instagram.

https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/1828