Riho Sayashi 2nd EP, titled "Reflection", released on January 12, 2022

 Approximately 5 months after her first EP, Riho will be releasing her 2nd one titled "Reflection".  The release was announced during the screening of her documentary "Middle of the Night" in Tokyo, which Riho attended.

During the announcement, a teaser video for the song "Winding Road" was presented.  Riho said about the album:

"The title is based on the image of sunlight at dawn (which was the theme of the first ep) illuminating the surface of the water, and the earth.  I wanted to deliver a message that is clear as sunlight.  These songs are a product of the thoughts and emotions I have discovered, and wanted to share."

The recording of the album, according to Riho, is near completion.  In addition to TAKAROT, Akira Sunset, Gento Miyano, and orange spotting, who also worked on "DAYBREAK", Riho this time also worked with Michael Kaneko of origami PRODUCTIONS.  Riho wrote all the lyrics herself.

Regarding "Middle of the Night", Riho said: 

"Since we decided to do a documentary, I decided to be myself.  I'm not the type of person that shows her emotions in front of others, so I didn't have time to think about what I said or did.  It's my story without filters."

About writing her own songs, and doing her own choreographies, she said:

"Performing, and creating are different tasks.  Because I love singing and dancing, I was worried about whether this was the best way to do it."

During the screening, director Kohei Igarashi, and Fumito Mizue, who was in charge of A&R, joined her on stage, and the latter said:

"Riho isn't someone who reveals herself to others easily.  She does so little by little, and through this movie, I was able to see what she is thinking from different angles."

Riho added:

"We began shooting for the documentary, but it became something that was necessary for me too.  My manager after seeing the movie told me: "I've known you for so long, but there's a side of you that I didn't know"... (About the new songs) It is upsetting when you do your best and your work isn't recognized.  I wanted to express how understanding yourself is a strength.  These songs come from my heart, so please look forward to them."

Riho, who was received with warm applause from the audience, at the end of the event, thanked those who attended.  She will be attending all screenings of the documentary in Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, and her hometown of Higashi-Hiroshima.

For more information about "Reflection" see: https://rihosayashi.jp/news/news-587/

Rihokora #37 - November 27, 2021 - "I was crazy about it!"

The meaning of life in a world that is too convenient

I had just finished my work, and I was writing something on the terrace of a grassy plaza near the studio where I was working.  I thought, Tokyo really has everything, doesn't it?  The view from this place was really nice, since there was no direct sunlight.  Wherever you are in Tokyo, you're only a short walk or train ride away from nature, museums, shopping malls, and any kind of cuisine.

I truly believe all that is amazing.  People often say, however, that when we can easily get what we want, we take it for granted, and it becomes more difficult to be happy.  Take money, for example, and how it can turn our lives upside down.  Once we have it, we feel it will always be there "by default", and when it's not there, it becomes a bad thing.  Maybe our brains are designed that way because if we were impressed by every little thing all the time, it would be too much to take.

But this is why I try to take the time to think about what I am blessed with and surrounded by.

That sweet (see below) is our only hope!

Going back to my point about "Tokyo having everything", while that's great, there's something about that "I can't take this for granted" feeling or about finding something you want with some effort.  This happened to me when I was in New York.

When I was studying there, there was a local chocolate candy that I loved to eat, but I had heard that it had arrived in Japan too a few months ago (only in Tokyo, I think).  When I heard that, I became happy, for a moment, thinking I could now eat it anytime I want, while in Japan!  But then I remembered how happy I was after seeing the candy for the first time in a travel magazine, and then, after a 13 hour flight, finally being able to buy it.  

Thinking "Oh, I can eat them anytime now" didn't feel as exciting anymore.  Such a painful episode lol

Cooking your own food is another thing that can make it taste better, since you can cherish the time it took you to make the food.  That's why too much convenience is not always a good thing.  It's such emotions that make us feel alive!

I'm pretty sure, however, that Junior's big cheesecake hasn't arrived in Japan yet.  This is another favorite of mine that I would eat when my stomach would allow.

I'm sorry I don't have a better picture of it, but it's delicious!

I am still hoping it won't come to Japan, so that I can go there myself!  I am sure I will go back one day, at least once, to eat it again.

https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/2626

Rihokora #36 - November 13, 2021 - Romanticism "Romantishizu(mu)"

Relationships with warm-hearted people

In a recent interview I said "I love people, even though it doesn't seem that I do".  The interviewer responded by saying that I don't give the impression that I dislike people!  I was relieved to hear that.  People sometimes think that I don't get along well with others.  While I am shy, that's not really true.  

It may sound like an obvious thing to say, but when you interact with people, the chance of something wonderful happening, is greater than when you are alone.  

There were 2 things that happened this week that impressed me, and I would like to write about them.

The other day, I stopped by one of those coffeeshops from Seattle that you have all heard of (note: Starbucks).  No matter what coffeeshop I go to, I always pick something from the basic coffee menu, so I ordered a cappuccino without hesitation.  I was then surprised when the worker at the store asked me with a smile whether I would like it customized, as if it was something that I was expected to do.  At first, I thought of answering no, but then I thought "Why not?  Let's try something new today".  The little girl in me was excited at the idea.  The recommendation of worker-san was to add cacao powder (kakao pauda no toppingu), and that's what I did.

Adding powder on top of the foam doesn't make the cappuccino sweeter, but the scent of cacao accentuated the drink (dorinku no akusento), making me feel that I had a special cup of coffee that day.  Thank you to worker-san for adding some color to my usual break time.

Daily life becomes richer through casual conversations

Then, another day, my sister, who is 2 years younger than me, said: "Sister (ne-chan)!  The moon is so beautiful tonight!  Have you seen it?".  When she contacted me, I wondered if there was some big story about a celebrity, or a new food fad on instagram, but she had gotten excited about something so romantic!  I became a very happy ne-chan, and ran outside to check.  It was indeed a beautiful crescent moon.  I would have missed it if my sister didn't tell me about it, and that warmed my heart during this cold season.

 I am spending a lot of time confronting myself lately, and it's surprising to realize that I often don't pay attention to how I truly feel.  Have you been trying to better understand yourself?  I have been doing it a lot, and many things have come to the surface, and I am glad that some warm-hearted people helped me be more honest with myself.  I sometimes feel uncomfortable taking the initiative and interacting with people on my own, so this was a particularly good week for me.

https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/2577