#abacus maths learning

[mathslear]

Supercharging the Brain: Abacus or Calculator for Maths?

One cosy afternoon, two siblings, aged 5 and 7, were playing with numbers at the dining table, when the younger one asked, “Do you want to supercharge your brain with me?” The older one, intrigued, nodded, and they both started their little game — one with a calculator, and the other with an abacus.

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As part of their game, the 7-year-old typed a tricky sum into the calculator:

“5783 × 46 = ?”

With a few quick taps, the answer appeared on the screen. But before they could even say it out loud, the 5-year-old, moving their fingers as if shifting invisible beads, blurted out the correct answer at the exact same time!

The older sibling’s jaw dropped. “How did you do that?” they asked, completely stunned. With a proud smile, the 5-year-old replied, “It’s the magic of the abacus! It helps me supercharge my brain!”

Abacus or Calculator: Which is Better to Supercharge Your Brain?

The abacus is more than just an old counting tool — it’s a brain-training powerhouse. Children who practice with it develop exceptional mental maths skills, often solving problems faster than a calculator. That’s why they’re sometimes called “Human Calculators,” because they can compute numbers purely through visualisation. The abacus can help kids supercharge their brain, strengthening their cognitive abilities in a way that a calculator cannot.

How the Abacus Supercharges Your Brain

1. It Develops Mental Maths Skills: A calculator provides answers instantly, but it doesn’t strengthen problem-solving skills. The abacus teaches children to visualise numbers, allowing them to perform calculations quickly without any external device. This boosts maths skills and helps supercharge the brain for faster thinking.

2. It Activates Both Sides of the Brain: Unlike a calculator, which requires no thinking, abacus training engages both hemispheres of the brain — logic on the left and creativity on the right. This enhances memory, concentration, and cognitive abilities, enabling kids to supercharge their brain and improve overall brain function.

3. It Improves Focus and Discipline: Using an abacus requires active participation, helping children develop better focus and patience. Unlike screens, which provide instant solutions, the abacus encourages logical thinking and persistence.

4. It Makes Learning Maths Fun: Many children struggle with numbers, but the abacus makes maths a hands-on experience. The movement of beads turns calculations into a game, building confidence and reducing maths anxiety.

The Final Showdown: Abacus vs Calculator

Hearing the conversation, the parent smiled and said, “The calculator is fast, but your little sibling’s brain is even faster — and getting sharper every day. The abacus helps them supercharge their brain.” The 7-year-old nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe I should learn the abacus too.” And so, in the middle of an ordinary afternoon, the siblings discovered an extraordinary lesson: the greatest calculator is the human brain — especially when trained with the abacus to supercharge your brain.

Would you rather have your child rely on a calculator or train their brain to be the ultimate calculator?

Originally Published at:

https://supermaths.co.uk/supercharge-your-brain-abacus-vs-calculator/

[orphosyseducation]

About Us and our Services

India's First Digital Institute is based on Meta Skill and Artificial Intelligence technology. Learn Today For Better Future

ORPHOSYS EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE BEST KOLKATA BASED BAGLESS DIGITAL INSTITUTE THAT PROVIDES INNOVATIVE, RESEARCH-BASED, RESULT - ORIENTED DMIT, POSITIVE PARENTING, ABACUS CLASSES, HANDWRITING TRAINING, VEDIC MATH AND OTHER E - LEARNING PROGRAMS ACROSS WEST BENGAL WITH 8 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

1. ABACUS CLASSES : Children use the Abacus to learn math hands-on, improving number sense, spatial awareness, and basic arithmetic. The tactile experience boosts concentration, discipline, and prepares them for mental math. It also offers a cultural perspective, fostering early confidence in math. Our Abacus Classes will nurture their calculation speed and helps to build confidence in Maths.

2. DMIT : DMIT, which stands for Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test, is a method that analyzes fingerprint patterns and our brain activities to gain insights into an individual's inborn talents, innate abilities, learning styles etc. It is based on the scientific method understanding that each person's fingerprints are unique and can provide information about their neurological development.

3. Handwriting Training : Handwriting training teaches children the skills for clear and consistent writing, including fine motor development, letter formation, and spacing. It's a crucial foundation for academic success and effective communication.

4. Vedic Maths : Vedic math, inspired by ancient Indian techniques, simplifies calculations to enhance children's mental math skills. It boosts number sense, problem-solving, and overall math confidence, making the subject more accessible and enjoyable.

5. Positive Parenting : By participating in the Positive Parenting Program, parents can gain insights into child development, learn effective communication techniques and acquire strategies to manage challenging behaviors. The program provides practical guidance and support to help parents create a nurturing and positive home environment where children feel understood, respected, and loved. If you are interested in enrolling in the Positive Parenting Program offered by Orphosys Education Pvt. Ltd. we recommend reaching out to our office directly for more information on the course content, duration, and enrollment process. We will be able to provide you with specific details about how our program can address the challenges you are facing in your parent-child relationship.

We provide best services to enhance your childs inborn talents and skills to make their future bright.

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[maths-screaming]

Soroban

A friend sent me a soroban for Christmas.

(Pictured: a soroban, reading "5" all the way across because I forgot to reset it before taking the picture.)

The soroban, or "Japanese abacus," is used in several countries (not just Japan) for rapid, accurate calculations. While a lot of schools have abandoned the abacus except in early childhood education, Japan still teaches entire classes on using it.

Watching people speed-math on this thing is truly impressive. Here's a seven year old girl adding 12-digit numbers as fast as they can be read to her. Poke around YouTube, and you'll find other videos of people mathing even faster.

When I told my friend about being obsessed with the abacus (but not allowed to touch it) in first grade, I expected to get a primary school abacus. Instead, I got this. And I'm not sorry, because this is much cooler.

Reasons my dyscalculic brain likes the soroban:

I don't actually have to do mental math.

"Not doing mental math" includes never having to read a number one way but math it the other way. All numbers are inserted and read on the soroban from left to right.

If the beads are moved correctly, the answer is correct.

It's easy to move beads correctly because I can both feel and see whether they are right or not.

Moving beads correctly requires one to have memorized number bonds from 1-5 and 1-10 - especially in subtraction. But even here, I don't have to deal with the symbols for numbers as long as I know what the beads are supposed to look like.

For instance, my brain doesn't have to deal with "10 = 6 - 4." To add 4, I can just see that I don't have enough beads in my ones column, move a 10, and subtract 6 from the ones. I know I'm right without counting if I move the top bead and one bottom bead. Done.

For me, the soroban solves the problem I have with calculators. Calculators still require number symbols (like "4") to make sense - which they do not always do. Sometimes my brain just rejects that input. ("Ensign 9 is not on the Enterprise." "Where did he go?" "Please restate the question.")

The soroban doesn't. I have to know what the beads look and feel like, not what arcane picture humanity's ancestors drew to represent it. That helps me calculate. It helps a lot.

I have no plans to become a speed math wizard on this thing. But it'd be cool if I could reliably do my own taxes with it.

Further Reading:

Math With Soroban: A Japanese Abacus by the SAI Speed Math Academy. While there are several other resources online for learning soroban, Math With Soroban is my favorite so far for the clarity of its examples and the pages' worth of example problems available.

Soroban: The Japanese Abacus. Intro lessons from the Japan Society in the UK. (See also the League for Soroban Education in America.)

Soroban Abacus Handbook by David Bernazzani

"Japan's Ancient Secret to Better Cognitive Memory," BBC Reel - video on Japanese soroban classes.

[nenykabyitc]

Game-Based Maths Learning can help build a Strong Maths Foundation

Every child needs to have access to an Abacus for mental math. Today, game-based abacus maths learning is considered the best approach to make kids smarter and more agile. Games have long been utilized as useful teaching aids. However, due to the remarkable increase in the usage of digital technology, indoor, PC- and digital activities have replaced outdoor settings as the focal point of games and sports. Recently game-based learning classes in Belfast have proved to be highly popular. 

[byitcinternational]

Learning Abacus Maths is Shaping Mathematical Thinking — How?

We should understand that learning abacus maths for kids is great. Abacus is quite easy and fun to learn if you have the right people around you. BYITC has established their abacus learning in a fun and engaging manner. Games based systems help the students to not only gauge the concepts but also practise the questions happily.

Reasons Why Learning Abacus Maths is Shaping Mathematical Thinking

Concrete Number Sense: The abacus gives a visual representation of numbers and an opportunity for manipulating them. It makes difficult concepts like addition or subtraction more understandable when kids can touch the beads and see their values change.

Increasing in Mental Calculation: Kids who regularly use abacus tend to be able to solve complex maths problems in their heads quickly with practice. This is why learning abacus maths is useful as they can answer mathematical questions faster and more accurately without needing paper or a calculator.

Concentration Skills: A child needs to focus when using this device. By moving beads around while solving problems their attention to detail will increase over time which helps not only with maths but all subjects at school. Abacus for kids can help in building focus and concentration skills Logical Thinking Skills: When solving arithmetic problems using an abacus, children learn step by step procedures. They can understand how solutions can be drawn out.

Creating a Good Base: This introduction of this can build a strong foundation in maths for those who start learning abacus maths early. Later, when more advanced mathematical subjects are tackled, they will perform better if they know the basics properly. Consequently, wider and deeper knowledge of the subject is created.

How Learning Abacus for Maths Helps Kids Overall

Building Confidence in Mathematics: Learning abacus maths can help improve learners’ self- assurance in the subject. They feel good about themselves each time they solve a problem or understand a concept related to it. In addition, their optimism towards new challenges is boosted as well.

Fun and Interactive Maths: Mathematics becomes enjoyable and practical if an abacus is incorporated into calculations. Instead of just writing numbers on paper, kids get to manipulate beads which makes the learning process more interesting for them. Such a hands-on approach also reduces fear of the subject among learners at this level.

The use of abacuses facilitates multi-sensory learning. When used, learners see, touch and move beads which stimulate various senses simultaneously. Consequently, this method can teach

mathematical concepts effectively because different children have different styles through which they understand things best.

The main aim is to ensure that these kids do not only get to know arithmetic but also have fun while at it. It transforms learning from just being a routine activity into something more interesting where every move of a bead counts towards making them self-assured individuals in mathematics who are skilled and passionate as well. Learning abacus maths is a smart move to understand maths even better especially when started early.

Originally Published at: https://www.byitcinternational.com/learning-abacus-maths-is-shaping-mathematical-thinking-how/

[jumpforjoyae]

7 important Benefits of Kindergarten Education for Kids in UAE

Preschool is mentioned by many names and they are nursery, KG or Kindergarten, pre- primary, day care, after care, pre-k etc. These schools prepare your children to face the strenuous tests ahead in the path of getting higher education. Mussafah Kindergarten schooling shapes children according to international preschool practices and that mostly involves play, sing, alphabets and numbers reciting, group activities, creative work, skill testing, and closely observing kids to top hidden talent etc by trained teachers and care takers.

[sabacus02]

Best Training Classes for Kids in Ghaziabad

Are you looking for a unique and effective way to boost your child's cognitive skills and academic performance? Look no further than S-Abacus, the leading provider of Best Training Classes for Kids in Ghaziabad.

[disease]

ABACUSYNTH by ELIAS JARZOMBEK [2022]

Abacusynth is a synthesizer inspired by an abacus, the ancient counting tool used all around the world. Just like an abacus is used to learn the fundamentals of math, the Abacusynth can be used to explore the building blocks of audio synthesis.

[mathslear]

Is Abacus Only Mental Maths Practice or a Skill to Be Learned for Life?

Abacus Maths learning is far from being mere mental maths practice; it is a useful skill that can be a boon for life. Learning abacus maths sharpens one’s abilities in mental maths, concentration, and problem-solving. With time, one develops a better number sense and it boosts memory. It may start as a practice to improve maths, but it benefits way beyond enriching other facets of cognitive development. Here are five such reasons that show working on the abacus is a great mental maths practice that might turn out to be a skill for life.

👉 https://supermathsapp.com/home/register

1. Abacus for Improvement of Mental Maths Practice:

The abacus is a hands-on technique that not only makes maths fun but also helps in developing essential cognitive skills that translate to better overall academic performance. Learning abacus maths works wonders by improving mental maths in kids by engaging their minds in visual and tactile learning. As children practice with the Abacus, they enhance their ability to perform quick and accurate calculations and strengthen their memory.

2. Better Concentration and Focus:

Learning abacus maths is a great way to boost concentration in kids by requiring them to focus on bead movements and calculations simultaneously. This dual engagement of visual and tactile senses helps sharpen their attention span and trains their mind to stay focused on tasks.

3. Enhances Memory and Visualization:

While operating the abacus, one often visualizes the beads and their act of motion in the mind’s eye. Such mental maths practice makes one’s memory stronger and one’s spatial visualization skills sharper, along with all other mental processes associated with such varied activities as remembering a phone number or working out project plans, more effective.

4. Develop a person with patience and perseverance:

Learning abacus maths operations requires much time and effort; hence, it teaches and guides a person with the notion of patience and perseverance throughout the process of hiccups and gradual improvement in skills. These are very important qualities leading to success, be it in learning a new hobby or moving up the overall academic performance.

5. Universal and Timeless Skill:

Abacus maths is timeless, going back hundreds of years and stretching across cultures. Learning to work with an abacus tool relates a kid to the rich history of the mathematical tradition and offers them a universal skill that one can enjoy anywhere in the world.

Abacus Maths is a valuable tool for mental maths practice, offering a wide range of benefits that often extend far beyond basic mathematical calculations, positively impacting various aspects of life.

Originally Published at: https://supermaths.co.uk/is-abacus-only-mental-maths-practice-or-a-skill-to-be-learned-for-life/

[kofaltglobal]

Learn Abacus Online Senior

Elevate your math proficiency with Senior Abacus Classes online. Join us to master advanced abacus techniques and enhance your mathematical prowess through interactive virtual lessons.

[nenykabyitc]

https://supermaths.co.uk/benefits-of-learning-game-based-abacus-maths-for-uk-kids/

Want your kids to learn while they play? In that case, game-based Abacus maths can be the best option. Abacus may be a century-old tool for mathematics calculations. However, it is still relevant in the modern era. Are you wondering about the benefits of learning game-based Abacus maths? If yes, here are the 8 key benefits you must know.

[byitcinternational]

World’s 1st Games based Abacus Maths Application | Byitcinternational

World’s 1st game-based learning platform provides a unique methodology of abacus games that stimulate the learning capabilities of a child.

For more info: Games based Abacus Maths

Games Based Abacus Maths

[masterminddabacusforum]

What is Abacus Mental Math? Benefits of Abacus Classes

Get brief information about how abacus training triggers the 'Whole brain Development' in children. Mastermind Abacus training activates both the left and right brain. Attending an abacus class regularly augments in the student's skills like visualization, photographic memory, recall, logical thinking, and overall learning abilities.

[mirai-e-jump]

Hirakawa Yuzuki Photobook: Yuzuki (select pages and translation below)

Publication: May 10, 2024

Hirakawa Yuzuki Interview

-Playing along with my older brother as the youngest child-

I'm originally from Kumamoto. When I was little, I was an active kid who played outside all the time. I'd play baseball, tag, takaoni (another form of tag)…I often followed my older brother and played with him and his friends. Since I was the youngest child, I was allowed to do whatever I wanted (laughs). Speaking of, I asked my mother about the origin of my name "Yuzuki," but apparently, she said there was really no particular reason. She said she chose it because it had a good stroke count. Since a bunch of people tell me it's a good name, I really like it alot.

When I was in elementary and middle school, in addition to playing basketball as part of club activities, I also did various sports related activities, such as beach volleyball, baseball and swimming. My older brother would be doing it, so I'd follow him…or my friends would be doing it, and I admired them…it often started out in a similar way. I didn't do things like abacus when it came to studying activities. One time, I enrolled in cram school during the Summer of my third year of middle school, but I wasn't suited for it, and quit about two months in (laughs). My best grades in school were in gym, Japanese, and social studies. I had been playing the electone for about 10 years since kindergarten, so I had good grades in music. Things like math and science I wasn't good at, if I had to say, I was better at liberal arts. As for what kind of student I was, I was the type of student who didn't go to school much back then (laughs). Those who know me now probably have the impression that I'm "cheerful, innocent, and full of energy," but I wasn't very good at fitting in with others back then. I'd feel hurt by a casual comment, but I couldn't say it clearly to the other person, and so it'd build up more and more…and when someone was angry with me, I sometimes felt as if I was angry with them too. Growing up, I was the type of person who wasn't suited for group living. My mother didn't force me to go to school, but told me, "If you don't want to go, make sure to properly study at home," and so I took occasional breaks. Of course, there were my club friends and close friends, but I was more likely to hang out with people like my older brother's friends, who were older than my classmates.

When I became a high school student, me and those around me became more mature, so I didn't have to be intimidated about fitting in. Furthermore, at the time, I was thinking of finding a job right after graduating high school, so I was conscious that school was more of a place to go to study than a place to have fun. I went to an information related high school, where I was exposed to bookkeeping and became really hooked, so I joined the bookkeeping club in my first year of high school. We couldn't get enough people together, so we couldn't form a club, but a "similar hobby group" (laughs). While I'm not good at math, for some reason, I'm good at calculating money (laughs), so I thought I'd like to become something like a tax accountant or a certified public accountant in the future.

-An audition applied for out of curiosity to go to EXPG, a place I had always dreamed of going to, changed my life forever-

I've always liked LDH's artists, and I used to drag my mother along with me to various live shows. During this, when I was in high school, I learned from a program I was watching at the time called "Weekly EXILE" that they'd be holding auditions for girls for the first time in about seven years. I thought it'd be just singing and dancing anyway, and that I wouldn't have a chance, but they were looking for girls with various dreams, including becoming actresses and models, so I thought, "If that's the case, I probably wouldn't be out of place." It was really more out of curiosity than wanting to be accepted. The venue for the first round was at EXPG STUDIO (dance and vocal school handled by LDH) in Fukuoka, which I had wanted to attend for a long time. Ever since I fell in love with LDH, I was drawn in by their singing and dancing and wanted to attend, but the time and money it would take to commute to Fukuoka made it impossible….So, I was tempted by the idea that if I auditioned, I'd be able to "go to that place that I had always dreamed of." However, with my mother saying she'd buy me clothes for my audition, being able to enter EXPG, which I adored, and being able to go shopping in Fukuoka, I had ulterior motives…I sent in my application just before the deadline since I wasn't sure if I should really apply. I remember taking the photo that seals the application document by propping my phone up against a CD player in my house (*picture on the left side on page 128). I also needed a full body photo, but I didn't have any clean white walls at home, so I used one at a friend's house and had it taken in a hurry…I rushed to prepare the necessary documents and applied. Since it was right in the middle of Summer break, I applied secretly without telling anyone in my class, only my parents knew about it.

After passing the written exam, the practical exam began, but I was surrounded by other girls who had been singing and dancing since they were young. I felt that these girls must've devoted all the time I spent enjoying my hobbies to their dreams, and their enthusiasm was so intense that I sometimes wondered if I was out of place after all. But, it was a miracle that I was even able to be there, so I decided to just enjoy myself. Everything I did was new, and since I had never sung or danced before, it was fun to learn how to do it, and I never forgot that feeling of "having fun" during the audition. In the final round, we were divided into groups and had to perform one song while singing and dancing, which was very difficult. When the screening was over, rather than a desire to pass, I felt a stronger sense of accomplishment, like "you've done well," and when my name was called as a successful applicant, I didn't really understand what was happening. I finally realized for the first time that I had been accepted when I went to the agency with my mother to sign the contract. For the first time, I felt a sense of excitement that I was stepping into the entertainment world, which I always thought was far away.

When I joined the agency, I left my parents home and moved to the capital, and was overwhelmed by the city of Tokyo. I walked from Nakameguro (where the agency is located) to Shibuya through Dogenzaka, and at first I thought the intersection in front of 109 was the scramble intersection that I often see on TV. And then, I went alittle bit further and there were many times more people there, and I was like, "Uwah, it's this way!" (laughs). In the beginning, everything I saw was new to me, and I was always pleased and said "uwah."

Immediately after moving to Tokyo, I took singing, dancing and acting lessons at the agency. In the acting lessons, I had a strong Kumamoto accent, so the first thing I did was fix that. I was also taught other various basics to acting. I started out taking one on one lessons at the agency, but eventually I began attending outside lessons for acting. There, I was with other kids of the same age, and I discovered new things like, "Even with the same script, this kid expresses themself in this way," and my passion for acting grew more and more. I had so much to think about during my life in Tokyo, that I didn't have time to say I was lonely, but the reason I didn't feel lonely was probably because I video called my mother every day. Still, I didn't want my parents to worry, so I didn't complain. I think my mother was probably worried about sending her teenage daughter off to Tokyo by herself. Kumamoto and Tokyo aren't close enough for me to rush over there right away, and I didn't want to cause any unnecessary worrying. That's why I barely talked about work, and just talked about casual things like, "What did you do today?"

My first job was on stage for "Moryo no Hako" with Tachibana Kenchi-san. I had never seen a stage before, so I really couldn't tell right from left in this situation. I started from the very beginning and thought, "What is the stage?" My seniors taught me everything from the basics, such as "this is good and this is bad." In any case, I was desperately trying to hang in there every day. After a month and a half of rehearsals, I took the stage for the first time, and I'll never forget how the audience looked at me and how enthusiastic they were. When I received applause at the curtain call, I was very happy to know that what I was expressing and what we had created together had become one piece of work, and I really felt that "this is how we reached the audience," which made me very happy. From there, I was motivated to work even harder on my acting. I was so frustrated by the anger I felt during rehearsals, that I became fired up and thought, "I never want to lose"…yeah, I think I'm very competitive (laughs).

-This is my last chance, I'll bet it all on a "cool" type of Sentai heroine!-

I played the role of Rita Kaniska, the king and chief judge of Gokkan, the country of ice and snow, in "Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger." I've been doing tokusatsu auditions ever since I joined the agency. I think I've auditioned for both "Kamen Rider" and Sentai about four times. Having auditioned multiple times, the image I had of the female cast was that of "the heroine," with their charming smiles and angelic appearance. But the heroines of King-Ohger were different from the previous ones, and when I received the script on the day of the audition, I thought, "A cool one is here." I thought I was more suited for "cool" than "cute," so I decided, "I'm definitely going to get this!" Rita's gender hasn't been disclosed, but they're like a medieval character. I thought that maybe there wouldn't be another role like this in Sentai for a few more years, so if I missed this chance, I probably wouldn't be able to appear in Sentai.

That's why I locked onto the role of Rita from the beginning. When presenting yourself at an audition, I thought it was normal to mention a special skills, so I announced my morning routine (laughs). I thought that I'd definitely make a better impression on the judges if they remembered me as "the XX kid" rather than my name. That's why I thought it'd be nice to be called "the morning routine kid" and when I said something like, "Every morning, my morning routine is to pick out coffee beans and drip them while having a conversation with the beans," I got them to bite, with them responding, "What, talking to beans?!" (laughs). The conversation expanded from there, and I was told, "Please be yourself, there's no need to pretend," so I approached the role with my "natural character."

When I received the news that I had been chosen, I was truly relieved. There were about five rounds of auditions, so I thought, "If I fail after making it this far, I'll never recover," and I was in a situation where I couldn't even get food down my throat. There was a time before I auditioned for King-Ohger where I thought, "I'm not suited for this kind of job after all." My work was decreasing due to the covid pandemic, and when I was alone, I often thought deeply, wondering if I should go back to my hometown and get a job.

I was thinking of quitting if I didn't get the chance in 2023, but King-Ohger was scheduled for the end of 2022, so I thought, "I can continue this job." I was very happy because I felt that I finally had a grasp of the situation, and I also had a positive feeling that I could work hard again from here. I'm glad that my mother also told me, "Good for you, keep doing your best," which I think reassured me alittle. My mother watched King-Ohger every week and became a regular fan of the show (laughs). She was quicker than I was to get information on merch, and she came to events like G-Rosso. I'll send Rita merch to my parents house, and they'll say, "It'd be cute if they were all lined up together," so they're collecting all the characters themselves (laughs).

-Approaching the character by writing my "heart's voice" in the script.-

The story of King-Ohger is more interesting than anything else. The cast loves King-Ohger so much, that I think the actors themselves are the biggest fans of the show. Everyone looked forward to the next development and eagerly waited for the new script every week, saying, "I can't wait to read the next one!" (laughs). I also really enjoyed playing the character of Rita.

I was careful about many things in my performance, such as my voice and the way I stood. Since only my left eye is the only part of my body that shows facial expressions, some parts are difficult to convey, while other parts can be conveyed too much, so I was especially very concerned about how to handle my gaze. Also, the word "Immovable" was used, so I had to give meaning to "not moving." I thought it wasn't enough to just stand there, so I had to think in detail about it, such as "why not move here?" and "why move here after not moving for so long?" I'm the type of person who writes alot in the scripts, but I wrote what was going on in my mind rather than "I'll do this here." For each line, I imagined things like, "Rita is probably thinking this here, and so they're probably saying this," and then I'd write it down. Rita particularly has alot of emotions packed into short words, so I think that if I don't properly interpret the words in my mind before speaking, my words won't hold any weight. I also made sure that I had a clear understanding of the meaning of words that I normally wouldn't use, such as "perjury," and if it was difficult, I'd replace it with a different word and interpret it in a way that made sure I understood it clearly. Since they're also a presiding judge, I tried to take a variety of approaches in order to accurately convey a sense of dignity and persuasiveness.

The final battle from episodes 48 to 50 hit me all at once. I felt the weight of a year's worth of work, and I was in pain while performing, but I also felt the bond and connection between everyone, and even though there wasn't a part where I would cry, I still cried. In terms of Rita's individual scenes, episode 30, in which the secret of their right eye that they had been hiding for a long time was revealed, left a strong impression on me. I really felt that what Rita had been carrying and what they wanted to protect became clear, and that they became stronger.

It was also a challenge to film, but even after 30 episodes, I was able to discover new things like, "Rita can be this emotional!" This was the starting point to further expand on the character of Rita again in the last 20 episodes. Also, speaking of Rita, they have a habit of yelling when they're annoyed, but in the script it's written as "Ah!" I take care about the number of "A" and "!". Each time, the number written was different. So, when I told the Screenwriter something like, "Since there are so many ! here, I should shout like this?," he was overjoyed and said "You noticed?!" (laughs).

Apparently, he also writes the lines while shouting them, and depending on the tension, he writes it differently, like "Aaahhh!!!!" or "Ah!" (laughs). Such subtle differences were interesting, and I also enjoyed acting out the screaming parts. Another memorable episode was episode 38's audition episode. I saw an unexpected side of Rita, who said, "I'll go to such lengths for this job," and I felt that they had opened a new door. As for myself, when I was first told, "Next time, Rita will become an idol," I thought, "Hmm? How did they become an idol?," but then I was given a video of the dance and was told that I'd also sing. Well, it was like I was just taking on what was handed to me. (laughs). I only had about a year's worth of experience in dance lessons from my agency, but I didn't want to do it half heartedly. I think the image my agency has is that they take pride in dancing, so I did my best not to disgrace LDH's name (laughs). The singing and dancing was challenging, but it had been so long since I performed with my face showing, that I was alittle embarrassed at first. It had probably been about nine months since I performed with my whole face.

That's why it felt abit strange to see my whole face on screen, and I was like "whoa" at first (laughs), but in the end, it was alot of fun. Twin tails and a frilly costume…it's not often in life that you get to dress that cute. More than 100 TTFC members came as extras to play audience members, waving penlights and calling out to me. The special effects were amazing and so authentic that it made me think that I had become an artist.

On the day when we filmed the dance performance, the Director told me to "dance three times," but I was so excited that I got better every time I danced, and I ended up dancing eight times. The Director said, "There's been alittle bit of an increase," but it wasn't just alittle, it was more than twice as much as we had planned! (laughs). But, thanks to that, I think we were able to get some good shots, and I also felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Everyone in the King-Ohger cast got along really well. I'm currently regaining the youth I didn't get to enjoy in my teens (laughs). At the beginning of filming, I was worried about whether I'd get along with everyone, but everyone was so warm and welcoming that I didn't need to worry about it, and it felt like we were family. Everyone was so considerate and kind, and I was truly blessed to be a member of this group. We often went out to dinner after filming, and they were very reliable seniors, so we developed a relationship where we could easily discuss both our private and work related issues. Despite all that, we usually had alot of fun talking about things that we really couldn't do anything about (laughs). On set, when someone would make a joke, someone else would respond to the joke, and there was always alot of noise, but when it came time to perform, it felt like we made a quick switch. I think we were a really good team, and I'll do my best so I can work together with them in other productions in the future.

At the wrap up, everyone was crying quite abit, but I didn't cry. If I cried, it would start a chain reaction and everyone would start crying, so I just kept smiling. For awhile, the Director said to me, "You're not going to cry?" I said, "No, I'll probably cry," but…as I thought, the Director saw right through me. I don't really know why, but…but, when the Director cried while saying that, I was touched and was like, "Director~!" He even joked around saying, "You won't even cry at my tears?" (laughs), but I was actually pretty teary eyed.

I've learned alot over the past year. In the beginning, I was really nervous, to the point where I thought my hands would start shaking when I stood in front of the cameras. But after being in front of the cameras for a year, I feel that I've become less intimidated and have been able to focus 100% on the performance. This was my first time focusing on a single role for such a long period of time, so I learned how to expand on my character, come up with ideas for acting, and gained alot more skills. I was taught from the very beginning how to act, which I had been interested in for a long time, and also how to do the dub recording…I really learned alot of things, and I'm sure that what I've gained here will definitely come in handy in the future.

-My first impressions of the snowy landscape was quite literally, "It's dazzling!"-

The idea of publishing a photo book was mentioned to me casually by my manager during a completely different meeting. They said, "This is totally off topic, but do you want to publish a photo book or calendar?" When I heard that they were interested in a project, I asked for it with, "Definitely!" In our meeting to discuss the concept, I expressed "my wish to see snow," since I myself am from Kyushu and had never seen a snow covered landscape. Since Rita, the character I was playing at the time, was king of the country of ice and snow, I thought it'd be a good idea to use "snow" as a theme, and the location for the shoot turned out to be Akita.

When I actually saw the snowy landscape in Akita, I thought the snow was dazzling. I had never been exposed to light reflecting off snow, so at first my eyes weren't completely annoyed by that pure whiteness. But thanks to that, I think my skin looked nice and beautiful (laughs). Some of the snow had piled up quite abit, so I enjoyed flopping and rolling around in the snow, something I'd never have been able to normally do. There are some shots of me just having fun, so be sure to check them out (laughs). The sight of snow on the mountains was also something you don't see in Kyushu. It was so beautiful, that it cleansed my soul. I also made and ate kiritanpo by myself. I love rice and hot pots, so I enjoyed it tremendously. I never had a chance to visit the north before, but when I went to Tohoku for the first time, with delicious food and beautiful scenery, I thought it was the best. Lake Tazawa was so spectacular that it was like being overseas (laughs). It made me realize that there are also alot of beautiful places in Japan, and it made me want to travel around the country.

In addition to Akita, we also had the opportunity to shoot at "AMAZING COFFEE" (coffee shop produced by EXILE TETSUYA, also known as AMECO) in Tokyo. Previously, there was a period of time where I did a societal study at AMECO, where I learned alot about coffee there. Personally, I've always been a coffee lover, but there are many staff members at AMECO who know coffee inside and out, and many customers come to AMECO for that quality. So, I learned more about coffee than ever before. Now, I have fans who say things like, "When you think of Yuzuki-chan, you think of coffee," and people I meet say, "You love coffee, right?" I feel that it's become recognized that coffee is my hobby.

The photos here are the ones of me seriously facing the coffee and just enjoying latte art (laughs).

This time, the makeup artist did alot of creative styling with my short hair, and the style without bangs was very fresh. The costumes all had things I liked, so it was hard to choose. Also, the photographer, Mae Kosuke-san, was a very nice person who really helped me out. Even though I'm used to being in front of cameras, I still get nervous when taking still photos (laughs). Mae-san relieved me of that problem in a good way, so I was able to relax and feel at ease. The photographer, stylist, makeup artist…everyone created a great atmosphere that helped me relax during the shoot, so I'm very grateful.

-The "it's okay to express yourself more" that my friends in King-Ohger told me-

Acting allows me to experience many things that I could never experience in my own life, and above all else, I love the time I spend facing my roles. I've enjoyed the past year very much, so I'd like to continue to face different roles, absorb various things, and discover my potential and new sides of myself. I'd like to try anything, regardless of genre, whether it be film, stage plays, or voice work. In terms of expression, I've been doing some occasional modeling work, so I hope to expand that as well.

The roles I'd like to play in the future are ones of working women, such as a police officer or firefighter. I'd like to continue to do action, so I'd like to play cool roles that make use of those skills. I also really want to wear a uniform. I'm embarrassed to imagine a romantic role, but I'd like to play the role of a best friend position, someone who assists the main character in their love. Something like…"Actually, I'm in love with the same person the heroine is in love with, but my friend talked to her about it, so I can't confess anymore." I'd like to play a role in such a sad position like that. There are things like "getting together someday" right? (laughs). I'd like to play a role that makes people think, "I wish that girl had gotten what she deserved."

Now that King-Ohger is over, I'm currently in a period of taking occasional breaks.

When I'm at home, what do I do…as expected, I often immerse myself in making coffee at home. I'm not good at switching between emotions, so in a positive sense, I use coffee like a switch. I often brew it when I'm motivated for things like, "Let's do the laundry now," or when I need to take a breather and immerse myself with, "Now it's time to relax." And then there are times when I just feel relieved (laughs). There are times when I just sit on the sofa for two hours without watching TV, listening to music, or looking at my phone, and just stare at a single spot (laughs). Hearing this might make you worried, but since I talk alot outside of home, I'm very quiet at home. On days off, I don't say a single word, and I seem to unconsciously create time to be relieved and think about nothing. Something I consciously do as a mood changer is to go for a walk. When I set out, I can leave all kinds of things behind. If I'm thinking about something at home or on my way home, I end up remembering it when I arrive at the same spot. For example, if I sit on the sofa and reflect on something that went wrong, the next day when I sit on the same sofa again, it's like the bad thoughts I had yesterday come back to haunt me. That's why I'll do something like stretch my legs and get out of my comfort zone, throw away my frustrations, and go home. I'm like, "Don't come here anymore!" (laughs).

I guess what I value in life is thinking about the feelings of others. I'll think about what the other person would think if I said "this"…I place great importance on understanding and trying to pick up on the feelings of others. I'm mindful of being considerate to those around me as to not be selfish. In the past, I used to take it too far and become overly concerned about what others thought, but the members of King-Ohger told me, "We think it's okay to express yourself more." That's why I thought I'd try my best to be myself in a way that wouldn't make the other person feel uncomfortable. Right now, I'm in the process of growing up and trying to find the right adjustments (laughs).

Finally, I'd like to thank all of my fans for their support.

Thank you for picking up this photo book. I always receive alot of love from you all through SNS and fan letters, and this is the driving force behind my activities. I've only ever been given energy, smiles, and courage from everyone, so I'd like to give alot back in return. I'd be happy if you'll continue to support me going forward. I'm also looking forward to seeing tons of feedback on the photo book!

[chokedonaturtle]

my humanized cars headcanons

Cal Weathers Edition

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- Cal went to a private school in California and when his parents died he moved in with Strip and Lynda at like 12-15

so that’s why his accent ain’t as pronounced as Strip’s but it’s still there

bro definitely got called a city slicker by Tex

- Tex loves him sm he does anything and everything for him, he’s def the cool uncle that says yes just because Strip said no

- 100000% a mamas boy and is glued to Lynda’s hip most of the time

- insanely good at math he does that thing with the mental abacus russian children learn in school

honestly he’s just good at school in general that boy can WRITE an essay

- is right handed but holds the wii remote in his left hand and nunchuck in his right WHICH IS WRONG BTW 😡😡😡

- can and will play the most depressing country music on guitar and has the most perfect country boy voice with the cracks and all (think brad paisley (my love))

- he has low self confidence because he feels the need to be just as good as Strip if not better and feels like he’ll never step outside Strip’s shadow and make a name for himself

and Tex makes jokes like “yeah you better win this season or i’ll drop you” but then he sees cal sad and he’s like “thou shalt not compare thineself to thine predecessor”

- thinks he’s sponsored by dinoco ONLY because he’s Strip’s nephew

“you just sponsored me bc i’m strip’s nephew 😔”

“i sponsored you bc you’re a great racer with potential not bc of strip 😡🥺”

- bro cried when he retired (i did too)

- when Tex was updating the racing suits for safety standards or something he had a new design drawn up and Cal was like “no i wanna race with my old design 🥺🥺🥺”

- Tex thinks it’s adorable that he wants to race in that outfit bc it hasn’t been updated since strip started racing and it’s like a legacy passed down !! aw !!

- whenever he’s in the same room as Tex he plucks off Tex’s hat and wears it like he used to when he was a young whippersnapper

and Tex is like “gotdam!!! that hat looks just like mine !!!!” and Cal is like 😐😑😐 “y’aint funny tex”

- says the weird country stuff like

“that boy’s cornbread ain’t done in the middle”

“nervous as a cat in a room full o’ rocking chairs”

“if the good lord’s willing and the creek don’t rise”

“i’m fixin to (insert perfectly normal errand nobody announces)”

“they was bangin’ like a screen door in a tornado.” (he got that one from Tex and only says it when he ain’t isn’t around Strip and Lynda)

- says “git” instead of “get” bc of Strip and yall’d’ve bc of Tex and then everyone makes fun of him

Strip: “where you git that 🤨” “git over ‘ere” aka “CMERE BOY”

Tex: “yall’d’ve” “y’aint” “yall done got them good”Cal: yeah that’s mine now

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yeah that’s it for NOW i will make more !! later mayhaps!!

- he says mayhaps and perchance NO I DIDNT BASE HIM OFF ME

ok bye <3