#shirapages

[nanchan-night-owl]

To all Shunya fans,

“Shirapages” has moved! For a one-time fee of 500yen (about US$4), you may read and keep his past 39 essays plus a new essay No.40 in his online magazine “Shirapages Archive” under a Japanese platform named “Note.” You may still be able to read partial of each essay for free! You are just a click away for more details😉

Notice

[nanchan-night-owl]

The Encounter

Japanese original by Shunya Shiraishi, September 29, 2022

While “Poison Berry in My Brain” was playing on stage, my home was a mess.  Things like printed A4 copies and plastic bags from convenient stores were tumbled onto the floor.  Clothes were spilling out like a waterfall from the washer.  Kuromame tea left a stain and almost-empty plastic bottles were scattered on the dining table.  Dishes with surface grease and grime were barely washed off with water only and piled up in the kitchen sink.  Since it wouldn’t be a surprise if any harmful bug might come out of this crazy house, I have decided to hire housekeepers.  They have such faithful personality that even no one gave them any assignment, they inspected the house from corner to corner in a 24-hour shift.  Thanks to them, let alone cockroaches, not even small flies appeared anywhere.  Their name is Adanson’s house jumper.  It is a common species of small black jumping spider found in most Japanese households named after the naturalist Adanson. In other words, they are house spiders.

Due to my work, I don’t have a healthy daily lifestyle.  But only when working a stage performance, I have a daily routine.  My meals are always taken at certain times. I get a restful sleep because I must move and will get tired.  Although it’s a very healthy and stable lifestyle, a part of me suddenly felt trapped like birds without feathers.  And “thanks” to the yet-still-popular coronavirus, basically I cannot go out much.  Having some communication with two Adanson’s house jumpers can serve as a little healing therapy.  It reminded me of a TV show or something of which a prisoner who stayed alone in jail for a long time secretly kept a cockroach as a pet. When the roach died, he was so sad that he cried.  

This September Toei offered me an appearance on their YouTube because it was the 10th year anniversary of Kamen Rider Wizard, of which I played the lead.  I was worried about what to talk about nowadays on the program.  But if the main cast could gather, I told them I would love to join it.  I didn’t remember exactly the last time we met. It was THAT long time ago.  When I was as young as 20 years old, when we were still literally kids, having spent a year and a half together as buddies meant nothing but special memories.  Nuh. Not just that.  Even we worked close together for a long period of time, not one person has ever once had a negative feeling about each other.  They were all so nice!  Despite being at the age who would be aggressive and would sideline someone, they all supported me as the lead.  They all have cooperated for the purpose of making an interesting work.  Since I have had a slight feeling of wanting to blame myself for not providing a regular gathering opportunity to these lovable buddies, I truly appreciate the passionate support from Toei who offered this opportunity and from Kamen Rider fans.

The YouTube recording was on September 2nd, that day my stage only played matinee. It was unbelievably the exact date of the 10th year anniversary.  The recording included Makoto Okunaka, Tasuku, Yuko Takayama and me. Four of us.  Another main cast member Junki Tozuka who was acting for a stage in a different prefecture joined us via video.  It was a bummer that we couldn’t meet Junki in person, but it was an emotional moment being that 10 years have passed since we were altogether. As we recalled the real events then, those feelings came back to life. Whatever we had not talked about in the past, gaps were filled and answers were checked.  It was a wonderful time.  That night I was carried away by all kinds of memories.  I didn’t know why but I had a hard time falling asleep.

On the other hand, Tokyo performance of “Poison Berry in My Brain” at Meiji-za, which has continued since last month end, has finally come to an end.  Although I had a day off, in order to bring my flying squirrel to my friend’s house for pet-sitting, I cleaned the cage.  I was also busy washing three loads of clothes.  I entrusted the housekeeping task to the Adanson’s house jumpers and hurried to Osaka performance.  I checked in at a long-established hotel not far from the theater.  A hotel which has spectacular cleaning service contrasted to my own home.  And I started my hotel living there for a while. Laying down in bed while trying to reply to cumulative messages on my LINE app, I received some unexpected information.  Believe it or not, Junki Tozuka, who we couldn’t meet the other day, was currently staying at the same hotel!  His stage in Osaka was at the theater next door. Their schedule also mirrored ours. Immediately I reached out to him.

One morning, Junki and I met up at the breakfast hall in the hotel.  Since we both had a stage to perform, we learned to behave at breakfast. The once-abandoned buffet style due to COVID has now been revived.  A queue was formed at the breakfast hall.  While I was busy getting a table, Junki came.  He showed me a sentimental expression suitable for our reunion, but I simply replied with a “long time no see” in a considerably flat tone as I struggled to secure us a table.  Junki and I and other actors at his stage who I have known and gotten along with ended up sitting altogether and enjoyed the buffet. I felt bad to others, yet I couldn’t help but kept talking to Junki.  We talked about what has been going on lately to what has happened at the recent YouTube recording.  Then we discussed our near future.  Little less than two hours ended quickly in no time.  As long as I live, this kind of strange twist of fate can come along like a reward.

I returned to my dirty home lined with lots of hang dry laundry.  I folded the dried clothes and reluctantly started cleaning my room full of never-ending mess.  There was no indication of any pest.  Not sure if the house spiders have finished their work, but they were nowhere in sight. After spending a whole day cleaning, my room has become quite presentable.  I jumped to the shower.  Then when I opened the closet to get my pajamas, a tiny black thing as small as dust walked across the closet door.  It wasn’t an Adanson’s house jumper.  It’s too small.  Who are you? Don’t tell me you are a newborn cockroach.  Because it would be a hassle.  

Adanson’s house jumpers! Did you guys slack off at work while I was away?  Hey, spiders! Where are you?  I was yelling at them in my mind.  However, they were not there.  I took a piece of Kleenex and chased after that tiny black thing.  It’s there!  In order to make sure I could catch it, I approached slowly.  As if it sensed danger, that thing jumped and escaped from me.  Wait.  Did it just jump?  What?!  It was a newborn Adanson’s house jumper, Jr.  

[asknarashikari]

(Also... you might not want to simp on Haruto's actor, because he's here. On Tumblr. And he's still active. So.... try not to expose yourself, on the off chance he stumbles onto our BS...)

What?

WHAT?

are you for real?!

No, I am not shitting you.

Yes, that's his official blog. And yes, the most recent post was just two weeks ago. So... yeah let's not post something he'll regret seeing on the off chance he just randomly decides to scroll through his name/the Wizard tag lol

[nanchan-night-owl]

Highlight of the year

Japanese original by Shunya Shiraishi, December 31, 2021

Four years ago. Winter.  There was an NHK documentary program of which I had to “live” in Bangkok, Thailand for a week. The idea was to stay with someone who was much older than me and who I haven’t met before. I ended up pairing with Mr. Naozumi Masuko, the vocalist of rock band Dohatsuten. It was completely up to two of us where to go and what to do. The director and camera crew were always around, yet they didn’t talk to us to provide any direction at all.  Mr. Masuko was such a funky rocker to hang out with.  I soon got along with him well.  We respected what each other wanted to do.  Nuh, I actually felt like he always yielded to my ideas. But our time spent together were fun and exciting.  On the last day of filming, Mr. Masuko suggested that we went to buy souvenirs at the weekend market located at a big open square.  Tourists flooded there to find anything from traditional Thai crafts to modern art works in the same huge marketplace. We each found things we wanted to buy.  After all sorts of bargaining, we finished shopping and filming in no time.  Since it was still early to call it a day, while we were there, we might as well look around some more.  So, the camera stopped rolling.  And Mr. Masuko and I went separate ways to explore around.  The director and I went for a few beers at the food court area together.  While we were happily reminiscing about this trip, a British man interrupted us in Japanese.

“Are you Japanese?”

“Yes.  You speak Japanese very well.”

“Because I am currently living in Japan.  Are you sightseeing?”

“No, for work. We are taking a TV documentary here in Thailand.”

“Really? Thailand is so much fun, isn’t it?  Tonight, I am going to a club. Would you guys like to join me?”

“A club. Hmmm. If they allow filming inside, should we give it a go?”

“Well, night spot is one of Thailand’s attractions too.”

“If we are able to go, we will contact you then.”

“This is my phone number.  My name is Chris. Nice to meet you.”

After exchanging contacts for the time being, we parted ways with the suspicious British man Chris who was peculiarly skilled in conversing in Japanese.  At the end, due to our filming and delayed dinner, we had to turn down his invitation.  “We are sorry. It doesn’t look like we can make it today.”

Filming in Thailand finished successfully.  I was back to Tokyo.  About a month later, I received a sudden phone call from Chris.

“I have a party at my house today.  Would you like to come?”

“Party?”

“Yes, xxx’s farewell party.”

“But I don’t know who xxx is.”

“That’s right. But it will be fine.”

“Are you sure it’s fine?  Anyway, I don’t even know much about you.”

“That’s right. But it will be fine.”

I didn’t know what was fine.  But all I knew was his persistent invitation.  Maybe I was influenced by my living experience in Thailand, the open-minded me at that time found it funny to try out the so-called party.

Following the address he sent me, I found a pretty new single-family home. I could hear chit chat and laughter coming out from the house.  I hesitated for about two times if I should go home but I plucked up the courage and rang the doorbell.  Before long, “You made it!  Come on in. Come on in.” Chris welcomed me with a big smile.  We went straight to the living room, where five or six foreigners were having a conversation at the table.  They all spoke English.  After I dropped out of college, the language that I have been running away from seemed to finally come due.  He introduced me to everyone implicitly. “Hi, I’m Shunya. Nice to meet you.”  Although they looked quite drunk, each one of them introduced themselves properly.  I was able to pick up their names and to understand who the farewell party was for. But later conversations were too fast for me to follow at all.  Where in the world was this?  Who were these people?  When I was at a loss, forcing a smile and faking it, a Japanese-looking lady appeared from the kitchen.

“Hello!  Nice to meet you. I’m Chris’ wife.”

“Ah. Nice to meet you. I’m Shiraishi.”

“Glad you really came!”

“He pushed really hard inviting me.”

“Isn’t it you guys only met at the Thai market?”

“Yes, it is.”  

“Don’t you think he is perhaps suspicious?”

“Of course I think so. I’m still totally doubting him.”

“I don’t blame you. So funny!”

From what Chris’ wife told me, I finally came to understand this housing situation. Apparently, this house serves as both Chris’ family’s dwelling and as a shared house.  Chris, his wife, and his three children live on the first floor, as they rent out rooms catered to foreigners on the second and third floors.  Today it seemed to be the farewell party for one of those renters. While I was listening to his wife’s brief explanation, a few people who spoke Japanese interrupted our conversation.

“So, when are you moving in?”

“What? I’m not moving in.”

“Really? I thought you came here to check out the rooms.”

“No, no. I just came to pay a visit.”

“It just so happens we have a vacant room.  It will be nice if you move in.”

“Nah. Shared house doesn’t match my personality.”

“You’ll have SO much fun.  You can learn English here too.”

“Well, it certainly is a good opportunity to learn English here.”

“Chris, he said he’ll live here.”

“No, I am not living here.”

“Why? Everyone will teach you English.”

“Really?!  I cannot handle much English.”

“We couldn’t speak any Japanese at the beginning too!”

 After a lot of arguing back and forth, an instant English conversation class has started right at the spot.  Since it looked like most of them were English instructors, they were all profusely great at teaching.  I had no choice but to speak the language.  As I was barely able to respond in some broken English powered by my intoxication, instructors have joined in one after another.  On one hand, I knew for sure I might be able to speak better English under this kind of environment.  On the other hand, even though this had crossed my mind, I was also sure that I might have lost my logical thinking over some cheap wine.  At this rate, I might end up falling into their temptation.  Since it was getting late, I called a taxi and forced myself to get going.

“See ya. I am leaving now. Thanks.”

“Ok.  When you decide the date to move in, let us know.”

“I told you I’m not moving anywhere. Bye!”

“We’ll be waiting. Good night!”

In the following spring, I have decided to move out of the place where I have lived for a long time. However, I still haven’t decided any place to move to because there was no particular town that I really wanted to live in.  Although I have searched for a few properties on the internet, no place really rang a bell.  So, anyway I contacted Chris. “Do you have any vacant room for rent now?” “The biggest room is available!” Chris replied me right away.  Chris said that since it was a shared house, there was no such thing as a binding two-year contract.  If I didn’t fit in, I could always move out and it wouldn’t be a problem. Well, they say you will never know until you try.  Let’s stay there until I find a location that I really want to live in.  Since then, up until spring this year, I made 3 years living in their shared house.  Since it will take more than a night to talk about the happenings in that house, and it will pass New Year’s Eve, I am going to stop here today.  When I feel like it again, I think I will write about it.

There were so much going on in 2021 but farewell to them was one of my biggest highlights.

Have a happy new year.

[nanchan-night-owl]

The Wedding Speech

A long summary.

Japanese original by Shunya Shiraishi, Sep 30, 2021 (updated on Oct 2, 2021)

M, a boy who young Shunya met midway in kindergarten, was a child who returned to his home country Japan after living in Malaysia. Shunya was very curious about the newly transferred student from a far country.  M has once shown a very cute baby picture of himself dressed as a baby lion when Disney’s Lion King was a hit.  The tiny boy with sun-tanned skin and bright round eyes was talkative and easy going.  M has soon joined the kindergarten soccer team. When the teammates went to different elementary schools, they only got to meet each other three times a week during practice.  M was “just” one of the teammates until that incident happened.

During 6th grade, Shunya was appointed to be the new team captain.  It was a surprise to everyone since he was always late, looked lazy, and wasn’t the type who would cheer anyone up. While he was happy being assigned, he also felt a lot of pressure as the coach and senior teammates made it clear that he was responsible for the team.  Even after he became the captain, the coach was strict in training, yet the team hasn’t delivered expected results.  With that said, there came the hellish summer camp.  

Normally summer camp is where children from all over the country spend days together for a fun event.  It wasn’t like that in their case.  Under the hot summer sun, kids from 1st grade to 6th grade gathered for early marathon-like jogging to interval run during the day. Every year plenty quit before the camp has started. Back then when heatstroke wasn’t a common concern, they kept running until they were dehydrated to the point when one would even lick muddy puddle water.  But after days of training hell, just a five-minute walk from their dorm, a watermelon-cracking event and a firework show awaited on the very last night.  Knowing that there wouldn’t be any more running, they indulged in the sweetness of the juicy watermelon.  All groaning sounds during training have now turned into sounds of happy crunchy bites.  He loves watermelon and felt the juice penetrating into his body.

Uh oh. A sweaty body filled with watermelon wasn’t a good idea.  He had a very bad stomachache towards the end of the firework show.  He could have chosen to return to the dormitory, but he couldn’t because every year the captain was supposed to deliver an ending speech after the fireworks.  He kept telling himself to wait 15 more minutes.  But M realized something was wrong with Shunya.  M questioned about his unusual sweat.  He wished M didn’t ask.  Simply he had no room for any conversation. His stomach was in excruciating pain and felt “it” coming down. He gotta go! He went to the coach and asked for permission to return to the dorm even though he didn’t expect a good answer.  Judging his true expression, the coach said yes immediately.  Fantastic. If he couldn’t make it to the dorm bathroom, he could still relieve himself on the footpath between rice fields.  M said, “I will go with him.” Please don’t!  But before Shunya had a chance to talk him out, the coach permitted M to go along. The choice of relieving himself on the footpath was now gone.

M asked if Shunya wasn’t feeling well and if they should hurry.  Shunya said the cause could be the watermelon.  Stop asking.  Again, he had no room for any conversation.  He finally saw the dorm light and was happy that he could make it there.  But when the automatic door opened, it was too late. While mentally feeling relieved, his ass was relieved at the same time. He told M that it came out.  He went straight to the communal bath and asked if M could bring him his change of underwear.  But M wanted to follow him to the bathroom.  There was no time for any argument.  First was to wash off the poop which stubbornly stuck on his pants. Apparently, the liquid-like poop has really seeped through the fabric. No matter how much he rubbed under the water, it wasn’t easy to get it off.  While Shunya thought this captain wouldn’t have enough time to return to the playground, he was also worried that everyone might even nickname him “doo-doo man.” That was when M came to the rescue.  He offered to help and even took the liberty of handling the dirtiest now-brown underwear with his bare hands without any hesitation. M was so good at washing it that he was able to finish it before Shunya.  He then rushed to the dorm room and got Shunya his change of underwear and pants. They made it.  Shunya was able to save his face.

But the biggest surprise was that M has never talked to anyone about this incident. After the camp, even after they became adults, most likely he has never spilled a word.  Honestly Shunya wouldn’t have the faith in keeping it a secret, if he was M.  He swore to treasure their friendship for life.  Although they didn’t go to the same intermediate school and high school, they maintain their relationship.  M is the only one who he keeps in touch among the kindergarten teammates.  Shunya said if M became old and shit his pants, he would help to wipe his ass.

The story was told with the intention of making it a wedding speech at M’s wedding.  Then Shunya was shocked to find out M has gotten married recently. On the bright side, he was happy that he didn’t have to deliver such a speech. Congratulations, M!

[nanchan-night-owl]

The Veggie Juice Guy

Japanese original by Shunya Shiraishi, January 31, 2021 (updated on February 8, 2021)

It was on a day of TV drama shooting. That day the entry time on set was sure to start around 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning. After I went to get two rice balls and a carton of vegetable juice at a convenience store, I headed to the location. Usually if entry time starts before 8:00am, in most cases breakfast will be provided by the TV program. It was at an office building in the coastal region of Tokyo. The huge conference room there was set up to be the actors’ waiting room and dressing room. Some other cast members have already dressed up for the camera and were given make-up. I had to wait for a while, so I went to the table at the waiting space and took out the earlier-bought convenient store plastic bag items from my work bag. I poked the straw into the juice carton and took a sip. It is a mystery whether any nutrition can really be taken in, but it simply tastes good and I drink it just enough to relieve my daily imbalance. Once I put my juice down, right when I was ready to take out the rice balls from the plastic bag, I then realized something. There was another carton of vegetable juice of the same brand poked with a straw and two rice balls in a convenient store bag sitting right next to me. The exact same! I was looking around but could not find anyone who might be the owner. I felt somewhat embarrassed, so I hesitated to consume the rice balls. At that time, the set costumer came to me, “Mr. Shiraishi, please get changed.” I am not germophobic but just in case my carton of juice was mistakenly drunk by someone else, I put it away in the plastic bag with the straw stuck as-is and put the whole package again back into my bag. Anyway, who was it? The guy who had the same scheme.

After I finished changing my wardrobe and while I was doing my makeup, I could see from my vanity mirror a young guy entering the doorway languorously. The young guy again lazily picked up that carton of vegetable juice and started sucking it up. THAT’s the guy! After I finished my makeup, I went towards him.

“Hi. Nice to meet you. I’m Shiraishi.”

“Hello. Nice to meet you. I’m Kaito Yoshimura.”

“Well, Yoshimura-kun, how come you accepted such a small role?”

“I am freelance right now. That’s why the producer asked me to take it.”

“Really! Have you quitted the agency?”

“Yes. Plenty things happened.”

“I bet it did.”

“In the first place, it isn’t that interesting to be an actor, is it?”

“Well, it’s not that interesting at all.”

That was my first encounter with Kaito.

During that time, I was considering a movie project with an acquaintance. We were sort of looking for a young person who is awkward and understands hardship in life. Kaito at that time always stuck at home while he was dipping into his savings. His puffy round face and skinny body have truly reflected his unstable life and income. Being in the same age group and in the same industry made me understand his feelings more than I should have, and maybe that was why I was the only one who could see it that way. I think we have only seen each other on set for two days. But somehow, I was genuinely concerned about him and I believed that new role would be perfect for him, so I brought up the subject to him. The movie project. “Since both of us think acting isn’t that interesting, maybe doing it together might make it interesting.” “Let’s do it!” Kaito quickly responded. Yet the movie plan didn’t progress the way it was hoped for. Unfortunately, the project simply vanished into thin air. Oh gosh. Just when I thought I have done something bad to Kaito, I received WOWOW’s unexpected offer to direct in their “Actor’s Short Film” project. Although I haven’t learned nearly enough to work as a director and it was frightening to be fully committed, in a way I felt it was destined to be. Thus, I wanted to give it a try. I decided to have Kaito to play the lead role, so I started my script right away. This was how Kaito and I ended up working as a team together this time.

Regardless of the result, it is up to the audience to decide how they feel after watching the film. He was for sure the only one who have played and fitted that role seamlessly. Perhaps he might have thought being an actor can be interesting, or not interesting at all. Nah, he would have.

[nanchan-night-owl]

Happy Halloween

A summary only. Japanese original by Shunya Shiraishi, October 31, 2020

After about six months, the mysterious project that Shunya has mentioned in previous occasion has finally came to a break. Recently he has been paying his respects in person to those who have assisted him with the project. It was one of those lazy days that he got up before noon and wandered around for a good lunch. He met a shy little 5-year old girl in front of a bakery. His cap-and-mask tired-looking reflection on the store window confirmed that he might have scared the little girl a bit on Halloween.

Among all the food choices, he settled on soba noodles. He ordered a large tempura seiro soba. While waiting for his food and to quench his thirst, he drank 3 more cups of “tea” from the thermos bottle on the table without realizing that it wasn’t tea but hot water from the boiling soba which was supposed to be drank together with the sauce at the end of the meal. Embarrassed to ask for more hot water, he secretly poured his little bit “tea” in the sauce and drank it all.

After taking a TV break at home, he needed to head out and continue paying respects in early evening. He went by car with his radio on and windows down. Though there was a bit of traffic, the air was cold but crisp for a nice drive. When the sun set, he closed his side windows but wondered why his car smelled like a farm. Unsure, he opened the side windows again and let some fresh air in. He closed them back second time around and the car still smelled. He did a quick breath check. It didn’t smell nice but the cause wasn’t his breath. At age 30, he even doubted if he has wiped his butt before he left home. LOL. But again, he recalled that he did. He concluded that it could only be one thing. When he stopped at a red light, he slowly took off his right shoe, flipped it over and discovered poop sticking on it. He stopped by a supermarket parking lot. Luckily, he got wet naps in the car. He had to wipe it off from his shoe, the accelerator, and the brake pedal. While he was wiping off the mess, a young father with his 5-year old boy came back to their car with groceries. The father asked the boy with no pull-ups on if he wanted to make a poo poo. The boy said no.

Except a beautiful full moon on Halloween night, it was pretty much a shitty day for our guy. Literally. Hahaha.

[nanchan-night-owl]

No No No No

By Shunya Shiraishi - July 31, 2020

Translated by Nancy A

“Thank you.  Thanks to you Shiraishi, my life has changed.” The day he graduated high school I received a long message from him with content along that line.  His name is, well, let’s called him Y here. I met Y at our high school soccer team before I switched to another school.  As rookies, we both faced some challenge getting into the soccer team of this private high school where sports were popular.  Wearing a crew cut hairstyle with a pair of black framed glasses, Y was a quiet guy with a serious look just like you can imagine in a picture.  And his soccer was astoundingly bad.  So, the story needs to go back to the first year of high school when we first participated in the summer camp, where Y first appeared in my memory.

After the 12th graders lost the last tournament, Y and I shared the same room at our first summer camp to the new team consisting of juniors and sophomores. It was like up to us how to divide the room ourselves.  I was quick to form a group with the other three guys who I have been getting along well. We then welcomed the stand-alone Y to our group, although I do not remember whether Y has willingly accepted the offer without any resistance or not.  Four of us were naughty kids.  As a matter of course, we were fooling around each and every night.  Every morning, Y became our alarm clock who woke us up for breakfast.  However, one day, Y has finally overslept.  As we fearfully approached the breakfast hall of our boarding house, there came the anger way out of our expectation. We started eating real fast the five plates left in the very corner.  Even though we succeeded in catching up timewise, we received serious warning from the captain.  After breakfast, the schedule was made to provide us 30 minutes of preparation time before everyone rode the bus and headed to a somewhat distant practice field.  We boys, apparently sleep deprived, went back to our room to take a nap.  On the other hand, Y was incredibly early getting ready, counting down the minutes until the time of departure as if he was the snooze function of a cell phone alarm.  “I think we should get going.” Yet everyone ignored Y’s suggestion ten minutes before the time.  We ended up leaving the boarding house entrance three minutes before.  However, no matter where we looked, we could not locate the bus. They have left us!  For sure we were late for breakfast, but we were NOT late at departure time.  This country’s meeting time was really mysterious.  We were angry and were even thinking to stay behind.  Wait, we were the ones who managed to carry all the soccer balls for training.  In other words, if we didn’t go, our senior members would not be able to practice with soccer balls at all. Delighted with the amazing retaliation, this time we all listened to Y’s suggestion of “let’s walk.” According to my vague memory, we really took our time eating ice cream while moving forward towards the practice field.  After more than an hour walk, we finally saw the sports ground. While our senior members without a soccer ball were forced to hold back a practice match with the other high school team, they were practicing hard by running zig zag.  Still, they looked happy. 

That night, nevertheless, we were called out and pressed by our captain with two choices, “Shave your head. Or you leave the team.” Four of us were fast to come to the conclusion of leaving the team after this summer camp. Only Y shaved his head and remained there. No way our captain has expected us to leave the team.  When we stated our will to quit, maybe feeling he was responsible, the captain then requested us with “please don’t leave.” However, except myself, the other three have then stuck on their loose idea of starting a band.  They ended up switching to the music team the following week. I was the only guy with all the time in the world, who the captain came to visit every day begging, “Please.  Shave your head and come back!” “We were only late for breakfast.  Totally don’t deserve such big punishment as shaving our heads.” As I flatly declined his offer, the captain then started crying, “You don’t need to shave your head. Please. Just come back.” As one would expect, feeling sorry for the captain, I withdrew my team resignation.  But the most pitiful was Y.  As a result, only Y was punished.

Those who stick together through thick and thin would get closer.  After those three exited the soccer team, sure enough Y and I shared more time together.  And then, to Y whose life was only to go back and forth between home and school, I started changing his life in a crazy turn.  Besides having fun shopping matching outfits at vintage clothing stores in Shimokitazawa and Ura-Harajuku, I made him changed from wearing glasses to contact lens.  At the end, I even gave him a slight mohawk hairstyle.  We have done tons of naughty things.  From an outsider point of view, I might have looked like a bad influence leading one to be bad, but I felt that I allowed Y to enjoy a world that he has never been before.  That was why things kept escalating.  As a matter of fact, Y has smiled a lot more and spoke more.  In school, he has become a popular guy.  Even when I switched to another high school during my third year, Y and I spent a lot of immensely fantastic time together.  We became best buddies until the day I got that long message on his graduation day.  Our friendship could have continued and lasted without change even we went separate ways to different universities.  But one day, Y has disappeared in front of me. 

I did not realize Y’s agony.  Back when I styled his hair in a slight mohawk, without recognizing his feelings, I decided everything for him.  You should have done this and that.  At that time, I have not remotely realized I arbitrarily decided everything and would not have permitted him of thinking what to do to himself.  Since then, Y has made other friends, gaining different values, different situations, different standpoints, different goals, different thinking, and leading a different life.  We have many friends in common.  As I was happy to know that he has been doing well, I have stopped keeping in touch with Y.

Then after six years in January 2019, I received a message from Y saying “I came to see your act.  It was totally fabulous.” He purchased his own tickets and brought along his mother to see me on stage.  “What?! You should have told me.  I would have gifted you the tickets,” I replied. A few days later, he brought his girlfriend and visited me backstage.  I was probably more nervous to meet Y than to perform on stage.  After all, I was wondering what kind of a man he has become, and what we should talk about.  My staff has finally brought Y and his girlfriend over to the backstage. Y, who I have not seen for the longest time, was back to his original image of a crew cut and a pair of glasses.  He was looking good!  Darn it.  Maybe I should turn his hair into a slight mohawk again.  Stop it, idiot.

[nanchan-night-owl]

2020

A summary only.

Japanese original by Shunya Shiraishi, Dec 31, 2020 (Updated on Jan 9, 2021)

Shunya blamed his oral surgeon for his blog delay. The surgeon claimed the tooth was too close to the nerves and refused to perform on him. Nothing was done to the remaining three wisdom teeth that caused him throbbing pain. He was upset with the surgeon but honestly part of it was Shunya’s own hesitation since he was scared to take them out. His later research made him realized it can leave subsequent complications if it is not done properly. At last, he appreciated the surgeon’s honesty.

2020 was a weird year. Nonetheless, even with the stay-home order, he was lucky to participate in a foreign movie and to become a short-film director. He did regret shaving his head thinking he would not have gotten any work so soon. COVID-19 has changed the world immensely. He questioned his lifestyle. He decided his blog should be a look-back at 2020 but there was way too much to write about. He didn’t know where to start and this may not be the place to tell all. Even though it feels like dying, he wants to live. So, he decided to write a few thoughts.

No one can imagine how the future will be after a year or so. Worth it or not, he understands we must learn and adjust. Then the day will come when we can find true values. Maybe that is why we can continue to move forward believing in better days. No one knows what the future really holds. The hopeful future may not be that bright and hopeful. But who knows? As a member living in the society, there will be times you have to make tough decisions for yourself whether you want to avoid it or not. It is clear to him that it makes no sense to lie to oneself. Live it! Because it is NOW that we can live.

It’s 2021 yet a new year doesn’t mean situation can easily change. Although we are still living under restrictions, just live a simple life. Do what you can. Treasure the people around you. Eat well and sleep well. That way life may just guide its way. His new year’s resolution is to get rid of his wisdom teeth.

[nanchan-night-owl]

The Boring Sunflower

A summary only.

Japanese original by Shunya Shiraishi, November 30, 2020

Shunya is a director now! He has participated in WOWOW’s “Actor’s Short Film” of which he is grateful to everyone who has participated in this project.  He is still currently busy editing the film but has told us how he has gotten the topic for his movie.  The story is based on his April blog about his childhood experience at the art studio.  Nonetheless, he emphasized that most of the story and characters are fictional in the film. He would love to have all the readers here to not only watch the short film but also behind-the-scenes which will both be aired in January.  

To recreate the art studio scene, he knew he would need a lot of paintings.  With a limited budget, though he has not painted anything in decades, he decided to do some children’s paintings for the movie himself.  Immediately he rushed to his parents’ home and tried to dig up some old watercolor paintings he did when he was a child.  There aren’t many but the paintings are luckily kept in a great condition in the dungeon. He also went to the art supply store to get all the art supplies he needed.  He pretended he knew what type of paper he was choosing and bought 10 pieces.

He tried to replicate the sunflower he painted when he was a child.  He sensed the difference. It’s not like he was attempting to paint it well but it was lack of that sense of freedom a child possesses. Looking at the boring sunflower he painted in comparison to the childhood original, he was shocked to believe he has turned into a boring person.  At last, he put down his brush and thought of how the young little Shunya felt when he was painting the sunflower.  Color choices and difficulties of focusing certain strokes all came back to him.  He imagined the young Shunya telling him just to paint whatever he likes.

 <Programs> Actor’s Short Film will be premiered on WOWOW On Demand from 1/13/2021.  It will also be aired on WOWOW Prime on 1/23 at 7:00pm, on 1/28 at 3:50pm, and on 1/31 at 11:00pm.  Behind-the-scenes will be aired on 1/16 at 3:15pm and on 1/23 at 6:00pm.  All Japan Time.

[nanchan-night-owl]

The Taste of Freedom

A short summary.

Japanese original by Shunya Shiraishi, August 31, 2020

Last night when he wrote us, he was having a hangover after drinking some expensive alcohol with other local actors the night before.

He’s still overseas shooting for a movie. He took 2 COVID test in Japan and another 2 there. Our poor handsome guy also went through 14 days of quarantine in an isolated hotel room by himself before he could join the local film crew to successfully start work. He said that the first week he felt like getting the Economy Class Syndrome even though he was in a room instead of an airplane seat. But he bet the stress was the same. The first thing he did after quarantine was having two beers from a convenient store. The first one tasted particularly great but he knew it was just an illusion. To him, that’s the taste of freedom.

He then moved to a new hotel near the filming location. He visited a suspicious bar close by. After a Corona beer, he was forced to drink Fireball shots by the French bar owner and other patrons. His night was ended with a so-called cocktail special made with grapefruit juice and cheap whiskey...lol. He said it’s a special taste of freedom. Looks like he’s enjoying his unique experience in a foreign land.

[nanchan-night-owl]

Until the Day We Meet Again

A summary. Japanese original by Shunya Shiraishi, September 30, 2020 (Updated on October 12, 2020)

Shunya is back! After working overseas for a month and a half, he is finally back to his home country though it took him three days to get used to the normal Tokyo life. Now that he’s home, he had to go through 14 days of home quarantine again. He particularly mentioned that a rushed new project is under way and that is the reason why he didn’t have time to write his blog timely. Please accept his apology.

Anyway, a day right before he cleared his quarantine, his buddy Ken-san, the flower shop owner, informed him that their favorite sauna place was going to close for good. Without hesitation, Shunya promised that he would be there the next day. After work he made it to the sauna at 10pm.

It was a very old sauna shop with zero intention to continue business. The dim light bulbs. The final closing notice handwritten on the back of a calendar paper at the entrance. The unorganized front entrance with customers’ shoes scattered here and there. The young receptionist who only cared to read his manga. The rusted lockers. After paying 1,300yen, he got his locker key and towel set.

On the last day, it was unexpectedly crowded with about 10 regulars packed in the sauna room. It was busy at the shower area and at the bath pools too. While he was washing his hair with the cheap 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, he spotted Ken-san coming out from the sauna room and went straight to the cold-water pool. Mind you that people supposed to rinse off before they entered the shared pool. But this place was like Ken’s home and no one dared to complain about it.

When Shunya went into the sauna, he met Ken’s friend the Unagi restaurant owner Yama-san. They had heartfelt conversations about their beloved place full of memories. The 100 degrees hot sauna and just-the-right-temperature cold water pool seemed to be rare finds. This was also the place where Shunya met Ken the first time and became friends. Most importantly, there usually was hardly any customer and that’s what they like about this rundown place.

There was a reason why this place was usually empty. The regulars were mostly scary looking people, the kind you don’t know what they do for a living. There were patrons who have frequented there for over 25 years and said it used to be a busy place in the old days. When Shunya said he couldn’t believe they could not come back anymore, everyone turned sad in the sauna room. Ken-san was only listening but hasn’t spoken a word.

After having three round trips between sauna and cold water, Shunya went to the big room and relaxed on the sofa couch. It was a place dirtied with cigarette smoke over the years. Not to mention lightbulbs with dust and spiderwebs, and erotic old paintings decorated the walls. Yet patrons were enjoying their final hour there. One was humming an old Showa song “Until the Day We Meet Again.” Some were enjoying their beers while some were playing on their cell phones and the rest were watching TV. Before the clock struck 12:00, people one after another left uneagerly. Shunya has waited for Ken-san who has done his very final sauna trip. Surprisedly, Ken told Shunya that he thought the place would have closed out even sooner. It came to find out the closing wasn’t because of the dull receptionist but simply because the building was too old. Shunya ended his blog with the Showa song’s lyrics, “Let two of us close the door together. Let two of us erase the name. At that time, I wonder what our hearts will talk about〜♪”

FRIENDLY REMINDER: this is a long summary but NOT a full word-to-word translation. I tried to keep the essence of Shunya’s beautiful choice of words and expression, so I ended up writing a bit longer than I thought. Thank you for reading!