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

Rihokora #35 - October 30, 2021 - Don't let your guard down

Nostalgic feelings are valuable

I have all these deadlines, but then, as it gets late, I fall asleep before I know it.  In the morning, I wake up to the annoying sound of the alarm, but I have no choice but to get up.  It's a good thing though to have this kind of lifestyle.

This year, winter came really suddenly, didn't it?  I always start my mornings with a warm drink before I start my daily activities.  One morning, as I was warming myself up with my drink, I looked back, thinking about how I once dreaded both nights and mornings.  I loved sleeping, but I didn't have a proper sleeping schedule, and that made me sad.

What was it like?  As soon as I went to bed, all my concerns would line up in front of my eyes.  Until the morning, I would be trying to brush away those concerns, and that went on and on.

This was a complicated issue, and there was no clear answer, or a magic solution that would solve everything.  Every person's situation is different.  That's why we have to approach such situations from various perspectives every day.  I am still getting to know myself.

Anyway, that is what I have been nostalgic about lately.

Don't let your guard down!  Unexpected dangers

Well, I saw on the news that most of the restrictions regarding hours of operation of restaurants are being lifted.  It's not something that really affects me, but I felt a sense of relief when I heard the news.  It was the kind of feeling you have when you return home and take off your belt to relax.  At the same time, I am worried that the current, improved situation (regarding covid) could easily get bad again, and I don't want that to happen.

Here's a story from a long time ago.  My elementary school building was quite old, and the facilities were not always in the best condition.  For example, there was one faucet, in a row of 5 or 6 that would discharge water in various directions, and after a while, everyone stopped using it.  But one day I thought, it should be ok by now, turned it on, and the water hit my blazer.  And this was in the winter.  So we shouldn't let our guard down.

I hope we will be able to get through this winter, without any complications, that everyone stays warm, and doesn't get sick, and of course stay hydrated.

p.s.  I went to a restaurant with my manager for the first hot pot of this winter, and we ordered motsunabe.  

What is everyone's favorite hot pot?

https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/2526

    

Riho comments on "Kuro Sekai" live stream on youtube

 The musical "Kuro Sekai" was presented live on youtube during a live stream on October 26 and October 27, and Riho who starred in both episodes last year made the following comments in an instastory:

I was working until late, but I managed to take a look at the broadcast, and I want to thank everyone who watched the screening of Kuro Sekai (Black World).  There are many people who love Lily in this series.  This made me very happy, as if I was Lily's mother.  Thank you so much for loving this character.  Like Lily, I have also felt the kindness people have shown.  And like her, I have also grown as a person.  It seems like a miracle that my first job after returning to the stage was this one.  Lily is that special to me.  I don't know if I will be the only one who will ever play Lily, but you never know, right?  I look forward to the next story in the series.

Ah... I also see a lot of Lily fanart online, which makes me quite happy.

Rihokora #34 - Oct. 16, 2021 - Small spaces are good

 A small change can change your life!?

I go out a lot to get work done because I can't concentrate at home, and I want to stop doing that as much as I do (getting dressed to go out is really time consuming).

The other day I placed a partition around my laptop, and it helped me concentrate on my work.  

I get tired of everything in my room being the same, so I often make rearrangements.  My desk isn't against the wall anymore, but in a position that allows me to see the entire room.  But doing that allows me to see the furniture and everything else.  Absorbing all that information becomes distracting, and the partition solved that problem for me.  

You can find really good ones online for less than 2 thousand yen.  There are many different types of course, so I would recommend that you get the style that suits you the most.  If you have difficulties studying or working at home, it could change your life, like it did to me.  I recommend it because it gives you a sense of privacy.

Having said that, I am currently writing this column in a coffeeshop lol

But that is what I am doing when I am at home nowadays.

The perfect companion to make my time at home more fulfilling

Because of this change, I have been spending time at my desk again, most of my time at home actually.  One of the things I do at my desk is watch movies and dramas on my computer, and I have watched a lot more than I did last month.

I've watched season 1 of the much talked about "Squid Game".  I began watching it in the middle of the night, but I was so curious about what would happen that I stayed up until late to watch more episodes.  To put it very briefly, it's a story about people with debts who fight to the death to become rich.  The characters are all interesting, and there are surprising moments.

The extreme conditions make the characters behave immorally, but it's hard to say how anyone would behave if they were in the same position.  There are some brutal scenes, so it may not be for everyone, but it's a very interesting drama.  I'm sure a lot of people will be wearing the characters' jerseys (jaji) on Halloween this year.

I am also watching "Friends" a lot, which makes me feel like I am studying again abroad.  I miss being in New York.  But it's ok, I have no plans to leave Japan at the moment.

It's finally getting colder, isn't it?  This is a good time to stay at home.  What kind of movies or dramas do you like to watch at home during this season?  I would love to know.  I may ask about it in my next instagram post, so give it some thought please.

p.s. I have been buying coffee beans lately (or receiving them as gifts), and I have been making hot coffee at home more often.  It makes me happy!!

https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/2470

Rihokora #33 - Oct. 2 - Preparing for the live shows

 Fatigue is somehow comforting

As you all know, I am a singer and dancer, and right now, I am preparing for next year's tour with the staff and writers, imagining and conceptualizing the songs, and what it will be like to perform them on stage.  While I want to emit a strong message through my work, there are still many things that I need to work out, and I am trying to finalize everything via trial and error.  As I am preparing, it may seem that I have been more quiet than usual, I guess.

Everyday, I try to summarize my ideas and thoughts, and share them with the people I work with, so that we can discuss them.  Doing this every day requires a lot of physical and mental effort, and I have been trying to keep a good balance between eating, sleeping, and exercising.  This process has been too exhausting for my brain lol

On the other hand, it is interesting, and rewarding to brainstorm with the people I work with.  Not only because I hear different opinions, but also because they will point out interesting things I said, even in cases where I thought I had made a rather simple remark.  I have the opportunity to look at things from a completely different angle, and this can give me a new perspective.

How can I describe this... It feels like solving a puzzle every day.

What is the reward for crossing a mountain? 

While thinking about things on your own can also be useful, I feel that discussing things in a team is a very important process.  I can gain new perspectives, as well as a better understanding of my own way of thinking.  I want to be openminded on all issues (note: Riho uses the expression "flexible as clay"), and I am grateful to my team for helping me find my "sensitivity" (kansei) within me.  We have given a lot of thought to this, and I hope we can deliver what we intend to do, on stage, in the best way possible.

I am writing this column on a day that I had a really exhausting meeting, and I am glad it was completed successfully.  To give you an idea of what I mean, I had to make a presentation to a large group of people.  I had to prepare, present it well, and then wait for everyone's reaction to it.  That's a situation that would make everyone nervous, right?

Today was one of those days for me.  The meeting went well, and I can finally relax.  Instead of alcohol I am having a fancy, non-alcoholic shandygaff.

 Thank you everyone for your hard work today.

https://wanibooks-newscrunch.com/articles/-/2433