#hibiscus translates jewels of takarazuka

[yuzukahibiscus]

Jewels of Takarazuka – Yuzuka Rei-san [Flower Troupe] (from Fujingaho May Issue)

This series documents the words of Takarazuka Top Stars, and their strength of living in the current age and Yuzuka Rei of Flower Troupe appears on this month’s issue.  Like a king that shines ever brightly on stage, Yuzuka-san appears on the photoshoot scene and we compliment her for having a flawless beauty like a deer in the wild. Then when she’s standing in front of the camera now, it seems like some kind of story is about to begin… Yuzuka-san speaks with carefully woven words and with a soft voice, talks about what she is thinking now.

Even if the acting is decided already every day, I just love presenting a new vibe to it

The one we admire in Shoujo Manga, the piano magician with fervent fans, the Broadway Star Dancer. With her gorgeous visual and delicate acting, Yuzuka-san brings such beautiful characters you couldn’t see in reality to life. If you watch her stage performances, you’d see that the world of dreams is here now……That’s what I firmly believe. When we interviewed Yuzuka-san, she was challenging to perform the famous work in Takarazuka Revue, the renowned musical of “MAYERLING”. It is about the tragic love story between Austria Crown Prince Rudolf and his lover Mary Vetsera. Yuzuka-san used to express it uniquely, “I don’t want [my performance] to look like it was cultivated artificially but to deliver one that is naturally moving”, so how did she feel when she was working on this famous musical?

“I’ve said that, haven’t I (LOL). I really like fresh air. So in the world that I’m portraying, even though we’d be doing the same things every day… That’s quite the opposite of what I said [about natural acting] (LOL). But even if we’re doing the same things every day, those first encounters and experiences are different every time. In contrast, even though it may be the first time I’m seeing some audience, I can feel that they’re the important people who’ve always known me… Performers and the audience can create some feelings and reactions together that not even we can imagine, and that’s something that I always find enjoyable. The premiere of this performance was 40 years ago. Even though there’s a little change in direction, the prologue song and the choreography was similar to how it was back then. I’d act according to what I understand from the whole setup of the musical. I won’t think about what I think is correct, instead I’ll continue to question my interpretation and delve into it more to act while thinking about it.”

In this musical with such intensity, you’d have to build up so much strength for the ending…

“Amidst the intensity and while continuing to maintain focused, there’s a unique kind of energy in musicals, surprisingly I’m not too overwhelmed by that. But while that builds up and accumulates densely, I think it’s difficult to overcome the “gap” or that “space” when [the tension] couldn’t build up well. Or maybe I should say, that it feels like those Jenga building blocks…… But the concentration the audience have for this musical is higher than before, so I felt that they also helped us create this ambience for us together.”

I want to walk a path that won’t feel like I’m betraying myself

This is perhaps the charm that’s only unique in live performances.

But in these 3 years, the previous situation was still unstable and as a leader she led the troupe to overcome very tough circumstances.

“I really thought that while I’ve been learning, I’ve already walked this far. Even in the same scenarios, I’ve come to learn that depending on people’s circumstances, there would be different feelings and the way we approach things also change. I know that it’s not good to just evaluate things while thinking only of ourselves. If everything was successful, I think it might be difficult to have the experience where everyone aims at “facing wholeheartedly towards stage performances” together…… so I thought I acquired a lot [during this time.] Whatever something happens, I want to be the person that people can trust in. Even if I covered it up, only I would know how I have dealt with that problem. Sometimes I may not know if I’ve made a wrong decision, and I won’t even know if that would be the best decision for that time, yet there must be something that I could learn from in failure. That’s why, I’ve decided not to do things that would make me lose confidence in myself. I often say be confident in yourself, but it’s difficult to believe in yourself without evidence. “Trust” might be a slightly different word, but I don’t try to deceive myself, instead I worked hard for it desperately… I wish I could feel that way without any hesitation,  and I would want to say that my underclassmen self when I was still trying to find that confidence.”

That delicate and soft feeling may be different from what she said a few years ago about “wanting to face my weaknesses earnestly”. 

“When we act, we think about humans, but it’s difficult to comment on whether they’re strong and weak. If they’re “weak”, they may seem negative at first glance, but they also may be someone that has great observation, a profound imagination,  and that they sincerely care only for a particular something. So “strengths” and “weaknesses” are two sides of a coin. If one believes too much that “I am strong”, that may instead lead to this pushing force that overwhelms oneself. So I’d say, it’s fine to be weak. Because humans are not born to be perfect. Rest a little, recover yourself, find your strategy to face your next task. When you find that strategy, if someone else has troubles, you could then help them. When I was playing as Rudolf, I really felt how greatly people impact others. That’s probably why I have such thought.”

Embracing her internal weaknesses with that resilient strength bestows her with the persuasion capacity on stage. Perhaps the Flower Troupe stage performances she lead will continue to shine radiantly.

MY JEWEL ~The jewel of the heart~

This is a photo of my nephew and my dog. “Even though they don’t always meet, but when they do, they’d always take a walk. My dog loves my nephew and is always smiling. My nephew leads the dog carefully like an adult when they walk together and I can slowly feel his growth. Now as I’m playing as Rudolf, I’d have to say, “Because of everyone’s great love, I have also progressed and grown.”

ON STAGE...

“ENCHANTEMENT –A Luxurious Perfume–” is a stylish  revue with perfume as the theme. This is a Takarazuka-styled revue wound in the gorgeous world of black tailcoats, silk hat and cane. Apart from singing and dancing, you could see her sometimes chic and sometimes sexy, that you couldn’t miss her out in any instant.

Next stage: Musical Romance “A Battlefield for the Two of Us” (Author/Director: Masatsuka Haruhiko)

In a stage of a fictitious federation formed by numerous autonomous states, this is about a young military officer with burning passions and how he struggles between the gap of the country and the individual, portraying his story of an “unacceptable” love and great friendship. Yuzuka-san says, “It’s very interesting learning from the rehearsal of Masatsuka (Hirohiko)-sensei’s musical. “War” is still sometimes that is relevant to us in this age, so I will cherish the importance of performing this production and do my best to create this production.”

[yuzukahibiscus]

Jewels of Takarazuka – Serika Toa-san [Cosmos Troupe] (from Fujingaho August Issue)

"I realise that I'm colourlessly transparent in nature that I haven't changed much."

This series documents the powerful words of Takarazuka Top Stars that give courage. The new Cosmos Troupe Top Star Serika Toa-san appears on this month's issue. No matter what kind of profound roles that she plays, Serika-san always gives a feeling of a "dominant immaculacy". If you look at her and things surrounding her, you'd realise that she has been walking forward without hesitation and her accumulative experiences have reflected this complex but beautiful radiance, which we now want to know more about what she is thinking about.

(Note: Happy Shonichi for Serika-san's "Xcalibur"! This is her first performance as a Top Star, and it's worth the celebration of a translation:D)

“I am colourlessly transparent”. I remembered being a little shocked when I heard Serika-san’s words from before. Because Takarasiennes always do their best to showcase their respective strong styles…

3 years has passed since then, and now she has become Top Star, I wonder if there have been any changes?

“I’m not sure if there were any changes. But my position before was that I was able to play many interesting roles. It really was a good experience that I got to play a wide range of roles.”

So among those, what was the most ambitious role that you’ve taken on?

“I would say Rocky from “HIGH AND LOW” was quite difficult. It was very hard of Kuroki Keiji-san to play [Rocky] with that impression, and later knowing that [HIGH AND LOW] was going to be staged as a musical, there was difficulty that Takarazuka Revue is going to be performing this. [Such as thinking Rocky]’s going to be singing…? Finally, I wanted to mix a little of Kuroki-san’s vibes of Rocky [into my portrayal] and aimed to adjust my mindset to perform as such on the stage.”

What lies at the heart of Serika-san’s approach to portray these characters?

“I would make myself aware with how these roles would ultimately end up as. After figuring our their final destination and the “present” [of the plot], then I dive deeper from there. When there’s a goal and the present [starting line], then my approach is that I’ll delve deeper into whatever is in between the two.”

Would that also be a way of thinking that can be used not just for approaching your characters?

“I’d say so. When I think about my objective, and the current situation that I’m in, I will go deeper into that gap in between…For instance, if I couldn’t turn well in my dance, I would think whether there was something wrong with my posture. When I realise my situation, then the image of the solution will appear itself. The key is how to focus on yourself. No matter what you do, knowing about yourself is the best shortcut of growing up and improving. And the many failures will be the times when you know more about yourself. Looking back on the failures, it’s shock after shock after shock... You definitely want to evade [from those failures]. But you can’t escape from them by chance and each time you’d have to think logically… and that’s the approach that made me arrive at this point.”

Behind that sparkling smile as she talks, she looks back to the failures and realises these experiences that have accumulated solidly. But those times had been difficult… I wonder what she would be thinking during these times?

“When there were times that I couldn’t help myself, there is a great presence [of support] from everyone in the troupe after all. There were many times that I thought we could overcome this because we’re all in this together. I believed that my roles and lines exist for partners [that act alongside me]. For example, if I have to portray an amazing role, it is by the strength of surrounding factors that could show how amazing the role is. So for that, everyone and I must be careful with showing it. This [cooperation] is the culture of Takarazuka Revue, and also the responsibility of an upperclassman. When [the cooperation] is being executed, you can feel from everyone [that they are working on it together].

When she was transferred to Cosmos Troupe [in 2018], I thought how Serika-san used to say it was difficult to guide her juniors but for Serika-san now, she felt a great change in herself from that.

“After all, when we communicate daily, I got to know how this person is like from their ways of thinking in this process. It has been a while since I transferred into Cosmos Troupe and I’ve been feeling great changes since then. Of course, this is also for the change in position. Our great troupe leader (kumichou) Susshi-san (Kotobuki Tsukasa) and [previous] Top Star Makaze (Suzuho)-san graduated, and I’ll have to think of how to lead the whole troupe. But when I give advice to my partners, or when I look back on how I console [people] from their troubles, in the end that was the greatest I’ve seen in my growth.”

From there, Serika-san’s Cosmos Troupe begins. What are your hopes for the reliant Cosmos Troupe members?

“Everyone in Cosmos Troupe is very serious and are very skilled. But even we enjoy being fun and unserious every day, we try not to do that on stage…I hope to support everyone and adding colour to the sophisticated Cosmos Troupe members is one of my missions.”

Her [Top Star] debut performance will be “Xcalibur”. This will be Japan’s premiere of this Korean musical with the songs composed by Frank Wildhorn.

“Korean musicals have an image of [encompassing superb songs]. For this performance as well, the volume and textures of Mr Wildhorn’s songs are fantastic. It takes the strength to sing Mr Wildhorn’s songs but it’s great to sing them. Besides, some songs delicately touch the heart and you could feel the softness of the piano melody. When creating this performance, the songs help me expand the imagination on how to portray my role, so I am looking forward to other hints that this musical would provide.”

Even with a condensed career, she has this immaculacy and transparency that never fades, and from there she continues to solidly accumulate her honed skills and mentality… Along with the struggles [that may rise], we look forward to how Serika-san’s energy will radiate.

MY JEWEL ~The jewel of the heart~

When talking about her teacup poodle Candy-chan (on the right), Serika-san’s face melts away in happiness.

“I love her dearly because I thought that I should work harder every day for her… Since she came to our house, I never wanted her to hate this place, or fear this place. When I ask “are you gong to sleep?”, her fixed position is [sleeping] on my lap… She’s just a princess.”

On the left is her chiwawa Purin-chan from her family home.

ON STAGE…

This is from the finale of “Casino Royale~My Name is Bond”.  Serika-san played an antagonistic role of Le Chiffre, but in the finale she showed a bright smile and appeared almost like a “Prince Highness”. This costume with a tight collar is matched in noble elegance. 

Cosmos Troupe performance: Musical “Xcalibur” (Adaptation and Direction by Inaba Daichi)

The Korean production company EMK Musical created numerous works such as  “Mata Hari”, “The Man Who Laughs” and they collaborated with the outstanding creator Frank Wildhorn for this gigantic musical. Ever since the premiere in 2019, this has been a topical performance with over 32 thousand audiences in Korea.

[yuzukahibiscus]

Jewels of Takarazuka – Makaze Suzuho-san [Cosmos Troupe] (from Fujingaho March Issue)

This series documents the "jewel-like" words of Takarazuka Top Stars, and knowing about their hints of living in the current age. This is a special version of Makaze Suzuho of Cosmos Troupe who will be graduating in June and we will learn more about her as an otokoyaku, as a Top Star, and the optimum of her radiance. From early on, she has been sprinting on the stairway to become a Star no matter what, and she has a diligence to never be satisfied with herself. She is full on inclusivity, warmly embracing the atmosphere of the theatre. That Makaze-san ponders [the understanding of] "herself". We will also deliver photos of her otokoyaku charm.

The latest episode 1

When I choose my outfit, depending on the colour and theme of the current season, I would be aware of what I like to wear and what I want to wear. Including some of the small details in my daily life, and even as to my approach in choices, I would understand myself deeper and from those external [circumstances] I was able to [know myself] in this approach. There are definitely some painful and sorrowful things in life. In those times, when you know about your preferences, and what makes you happy, then that would be better.

The latest episode 2

I've had some foliage plants at home. Before I might talk only a little [about the plants], but now I have more time to be at home due to the pandemic, I realise how much the plants have grown! For the soil or for the wood, it's said that it's good to touch nature, but in fact when I take care of the plants, I once again felt the power of life. I tend to forget it, but taking a walk is also how I can feel nature, and I'd also cherish the time to inhale deeply.

On this day also, the theatre receives the great glow that Makaze-san radiates. It's not a sharp blinding glow, rather it's a great, embracing, [warmth] glow. You can also feel this greatness in a person called Makaze-san. Of course she was welcomed with [the fans'] attention since her underclassmen times in Star Troupe, but even when she's already appointed Top Star, she continues to say that "there are yet many goals that I have". She announced her graduation in June and we wanted to know if there had been any changes.

"Since I'm starting to see that graduation [is near], I continued to feel how there are things I could learn every day, so that felt good to me... I once again felt how Takarazuka is really a place where you could learn a lot"

In previous coverage, she used to say that she entered Takarazuka with an admiration like that of a monk going to a [retreat] study. This reveals the diligence of Makaze-san and an episode [story] touching on the humanity required of a Takarazuka star.

"I suppose (LOL). But that's exactly how it is. It's about the technique of a stage performer, but I feel that more than anything the "study" of a person is a continuous [process]. Our lives is about learning for the whole of our life, but I truly think that it's great I could devote myself to this place. I felt that being Top wasn't originally a goal of mine, but even after becoming Top Star, as a stage performer, every time we face a new performance, it doesn't change that we start everything from ground zero. Even looking back, when I recall my previous roles, it goes without saying that there are countless different types of performances I got to do and this was the environment where I was faced with various challenges."

From myself, the people that I act along with and the audience. There are numerous chemical reactions on stage.

From original manga works to Hollywood popular movies, Broadway musicals... From the moment she became Top Star, she had a lineup of multifaceted genres of works showcasing the wide range of Takarazuka.

"Speaking of the stage, it's where you could have countless number of chemical reactions happening every day. Even though this is obvious, the stage cannot be created by one alone. It's through how the actors put their souls [in the performance] and interact with each other that creates this essential flavour of the stage. And also combined with the chemical reactions of seeing different audience members every day, that it's almost like you can't see yourself from yesterday, because every performance became unique on its own. As I stayed longer with the revue and with the many experience I accumulated, I feel much more from these chemical reactions. There's an interesting relationship in looking at the complexity and difficulty of these chemical reactions."

In order not to embarrass myself tomorrow, I want to live well in the moment now

She has been a Top Star for over 5 years. What is Makaze-san's motivation in all this?

"It would be so cool if I have this sense of justice in myself, but specifically it's because there's no definite right answer in this world, in the end it's about what I think for myself, "In order not to embarrass myself tomorrow" I want to live well in the moment now. I hold respect and gratitude to the friends and sensei and staff members who made the performance [possible], and for the things I want to show to the audience in the performance, I always hope that it could become some kind of strength for someone. Because I've had that feeling towards many people, so I always cherish that thought in my heart."

It may be easily forgotten that staying true to oneself is very important to the people who are creating the stage performance together and making the stage performance appear true to the audience.

"If you're observing everything around you, you might become uncomfortable and if you push yourself too much then you might end up being stressed out. That's why, you should first stay true to yourself. If you don't this, you'd be scared and you won't be able to stand on stage. I was able to think this way because my friends have helped me with my insecurity and weaknesses. By staying true to myself, I was able to create better chemical reactions with different kinds of people.

The turning point in Takarazuka is definitely the Corona pandemic

Corona pandemic was an opportunity for her to think again.

"What's the turning point in my Takarazuka life? If you ask me that, it would definitely be the corona pandemic. In that time when the performances and rehearsals were suspended, it was a time where I could rediscover and reflect upon myself. Before [the corona pandemic], I've had some Top Star experience, but after experiencing this change, I believe that this change made me doubt myself than I ever would before. Because of this difficult time, the bonds with my friends, the connections with the many fans who have been supporting us, the love I have for Takarazuka became stronger, and it was a stronger emotion that as part of [Takarazuka], I wouldn't be embarrassed and would continue doing my best."

Even to the underclassmen, I want to support everyone of Cosmos Troupe who's working hard at any circumstance

After this difficult time, how is the Cosmos Troupe team now?

"There are more constraints in rehearsal and more things we have to be careful, but to show a better performance than ever, each of us tried to think of one or two ideas and tried to deliver it on. Despite that, everyone of Cosmos Troupe are really enthusiastic and reliable, that I want to support them all. The troupe and I, we're aiming forward like arrows and it would be great if we could present that complementary effect to everyone."

The graduation performance is James Bond. It's a role that I could do only at this time.

The last performance is playing 007 James Bond, whom everyone in the world knows about. "Like playing this kind of role that the whole world knows about...even to the end, this is a great challenge for me. The scale of Bond is unprecedented, that you can feel his gentleman aura (dandyism), his humour and his chill vibe... Even more I wonder what would be the approach of Koike (Shuuichirou)-sensei in these 3 hours. This is a challenging performance that could only be challenged with the experience I've accumulated. I, Makaze Suzuho, will soon reveal the Bond I'll be playing and would hope to discover and hone more of my performance."