#sienne: aran kei

[zukalations]

Shall we TALK? - Hanafusa Mari and Aran Kei

IMPORTANT - Zukalations will move to a new website at the beginning of next year at which point the tumblr will either no longer be updated or used as a redirect feed.

This cute talk feature between classmates Hanafusa Mari and Aran Kei was published in the February 1997 issue of Kageki. At the time, Hanafusa Mari was Top Musumeyaku of Snow Troupe, and Aran Kei was still an up-and-coming otokoyaku (her first Bow Hall lead show, ICARUS, took place almost exactly a year after this was published).

Shall we TALK? - Hanafusa Mari and Aran Kei

Hanafusa: By this point, me and Touko (Aran) have shown all our good and bad points to each other. We don't have anything to hide.

Aran: Yeah. If I'm worried about something I'll go to Hana (Hanafusa) for advice right away, and Hana will ask me first too.

Hanafusa: It's really reassuring to feel that you'll definitely tell me the truth.

Aran: We can both trust each other.

Hanafusa: While now we're really close like this, and we can share anything with each other, we weren't always like that.

Aran: It's not like we didn't get on, we just didn't interact much.

Hanafusa: When we were in music school, the friend groups we were in were different, so we didn't talk that much. So it feels a little odd to be like this now.

Aran: It must have started when you transferred into Snow Troupe, Hana.

Hanafusa: Right. We became close really suddenly. There's a reason for that, of course, but that's a secret between us (laughs).

Aran: Yes (laughs).

Hanafusa: But I really feel thankful with all my heart that Touko was there.

Aran: Really?

Hanafusa: It's like you understand without my having to say anything, you can figure out what my mental state is just by looking at me. If something good happened you'll figure it out right away.

Aran: I'll even call you with perfect timing (laughs). I've often called you about something totally unrelated and then say 'Oh, was this good timing?', right.

Hanafusa: Right. I'll think, 'Wow, you really knew the right time to call' (laughs).

Aran: I wonder if we have some connection.

Hanafusa: Right.

Aran: I always want to tell Hana things I'm ashamed of since I want you to know them.

Hanafusa: You don't like having things you can't talk about. I'm honestly jealous of you sometimes, Touko.

Aran: I'm jealous of you sometimes too Hana! Your personality!

Hanafusa: (laughs) I'm jealous of your personality too, Touko. You're so pure.

Aran: No, no, let me turn that right back on you (laughs).

Hanafusa: I know I trend towards being pure but if I was going to put it stylishly you're 'pure as the driven snow'.

Aran: (laughs)

Hanafusa: Your heart is clear. So if you get something right you can acknowledge it, but if you get something wrong, you can ask directly why it's wrong. You don't like doubting people, right?

Aran: Yeah, you're right.

Hanafusa: You can come right out with that. You'll say "I don't like being suspicious of someone over a thing like that," without any ill meaning at all. I'm jealous of that side of your personality. But then you're also such a funny person, Touko (laughs).

Aran: I've loved making people laugh since I was little (laughs). When I started going to school, I'd practice while watching TV the night before so I could make people laugh more (laughs). I'd often think things like 'this material will make everyone laugh!' But lately I've calmed down a bit.

Hanafusa: (laughs)

Aran: The part of Hanafusa's personality I'm jealous of is how you're able to completely concentrate when you're set on something. It seems like it might be a little dangerous at times (laughs), but it's an aspect I don't have, so.

Hanafusa: It seems like when I feel in my heart 'This is what I want to do!', I'll keep that feeling no matter who disagrees with me. Although of course I'll consult with someone about it (laughs).

Aran: Right, right. But I feel like I just can't stick with my own conclusions that way. In my case, if someone says something to me I'll think 'oh, that could be right', so I'll keep changing what I think over and over.

Hanafusa: It does seem like once I think something in my heart, I can't really change it.

Aran: I don't think I have that. It's not like I've seen all of your growth, Hana, but thinking of when you first came to Snow Troupe, you've really grown a lot since then. And it's all achievements that you've gained through your own persistence, climbing over mountains in your way, I think. It makes me proud to be your classmate to see you accomplish all this, Hana.

Hanafusa: You're really growing as an otokoyaku too, Touko, so I don't have any worries about you. I keep thinking how nice it would be to watch a Bow Hall show starring Touko.

Aran: It would be nice if I could do that.

Hanafusa: I'll come see the dress rehearsals, promise. No matter where I am I'll come flying in (laughs).

Aran: Heck yeah! (laughs)

Hanafusa: If it's for Touko I'll row my way there.

Aran: (laughs).

Hanafusa: About Takarazuka, naturally I want to have a fully fulfilled life in Takarazuka, and I also want Touko to always be able to smile. I hate seeing Touko sad or hurt. So I hope you can always enjoy it.

Aran: I think you're already approaching the point of completely mastering your craft as a Takarazuka musumeyaku.

Hanafusa: I still have so far to go! I'm always worrying about it so much.

Aran: But I think it's good to worry about things; I can tell that you've grown because of how much you worry about things, Hana. I might say 'what if you stopped worrying' but watching you chasing after things and ussing that as your motivation for growth makes me think how much I can rely on you. When I think of the charismatic actress you're going to become it makes me excited to see it.

Hanafusa: (laughs) This is changing the subject a bit, but remember how a while back Ichiro-san (Ichiro Maki) told us "when I see Hana and Touko together it's like watching my past self with Yacchan (Kanna Miho)"? That made me really happy so it stayed in my heart.

Aran: I remember! I'm totally different from Ichiro-san so I said "What, really?" but she didn't mean it that way, I guess the relationship between us right now resembles theirs.

Hanafusa: Somehow those words left a big impression with me. But I'm sure you will do fine, Touko. I hope you'll still let me be with you all the time even when you leave Takarazuka one day.

Aran: Of course.

Hanafusa: I really want you to be happy, Touko. If you can have a happy life that's enough for me (laughs).

Aran: We both want that, right.

Hanafusa: Right?

Aran: I hope we can stick with our decisions and be happy.

Hanafusa: I'm sure that knowing you, Touko, even when you're a little old lady you'll want to talk and laugh about our younger days together.

Aran: Definitely. I'll be sitting on the porch saying "well, back then..." (laughs)

Hanafusa: Right, you'll be just like that (laughs).

Aran: One day, probably (laughs).

[luna----llena]

I cannot speak Japanese. I fell asleep when I saw a Takarazuka show at Mura a long time ago. The show was great. I just couldn’t help falling asleep when there was no Aran Kei or Yuzuki Reon on the stage.  I saw only Takarazuka videos after that experience. 

I am truly madly deeply into Reiko right now. It’s my first time to be into a current sienne. I didn’t fall asleep while I seeing IAFA twice. I had a hard time to squeeze times to go to Mura. My condition was terrible. I slept only 4 times a day even in Japan because of my crazy flight schedule. I didn’t sleep even one single second this time. This is the power of LOVE. :) 

[zukalations]

Zukalations content roundup, January 16-29

I’m going to keep doing these link posts at least for a while, but if you want to see content as soon as it’s posted you can subscribe to the email alerts on the new website!

Book Chapters:

Aran - Message from Asami Hikaru

Aran Chapter 3

Articles:

Talk DX – The Rose of Versailles 2001 (Cosmos Troupe – Wao Youka and Ayaki Nao)

To the Future: Hana Yuuki, Flower Troupe (August 2017 GRAPH)

Salut! – Ren Tsukasa (March 2019 GRAPH)

I want to perform my own kind of Romeo – Takarazuka Star Troupe Top Star Rei Makoto

Friendship Networking – Takumi Hibiki and Todoroki Yuu (August 1992 GRAPH)

Takarazuka Flower Troupe – First Lead Bow for a 100th class member opens starring Seino Asuka – ‘I’m growing every day’

[zukalations]

Zukalations content roundup, January 1-15

I’m going to keep doing these link posts at least for a while, but if you want to see content as soon as it’s posted you can subscribe to the email alerts on the new website!

Book Chapters:

Aran - Foreword

Aran - Chapter 1

Aran - Chapter 2

Other features:

Interview with 2021 Hankyu-Hanshin Hatsumoude Poster Model, Takarazuka Revue Snow Troupe member Kase Kyou

Full speed ahead to being ‘An intense otokoyaku’ – Akatsuki Chisei (Moon Troupe)

Asumi Rio challenged again with musical The Poe Clan – ‘I was uncertain at first’

I was told “You’re too small for an otokoyaku”… – Asumi Rio speaks about her time in Takarazuka and post-retirement

[zukalations]

Which side are you on? May 2008

In the Kageki Top Star feature for 2008, all 5 Tops were asked to pick a side on 2 different questions. 

For the May issue, the questions the Top Stars were asked were...

Question 1: If you were going to challenge yourself, would you try… A - Skydiving B - Scuba diving

Question 2: If you could be reborn, would you rather be… A - A man B - A woman

Flower Troupe - Matobu Sei

Q1: A - Skydiving I’d have to go with skydiving. I’ve experienced scuba diving, and it was a really nice feeling, but in the end, I love the sky, so I’d like try flying. I’d like to try flying straight on, you see (laughs). Since I’m Matobu (laughs)*.

Q2: B - A woman Right now, I’m experiencing what a man’s life is like as an otokoyaku, so if I was going to be reborn I’d like to be a woman. If I was born as a woman again I’d like to wear really cute clothes, with a fluttering skirt, and stroll through town (laughs). I see that sort of look in magazines and I think it’s really cute, but since I’m an otokoyaku currently I can’t have that, so I’d like to experience life as that kind of woman.

Moon Troupe - Sena Jun

Q1: A - Skydiving I’d like to go skydiving once again. I went skydiving once before in Saipan, and it was really fun. It didn’t feel like falling; it seemed just like flying. I’m afraid of heights, but in skydiving, the ground is hidden by clouds so I can’t see it, and I’m so high up that I don’t actually feel scared at all. Back then, I even had to sign a form agreeing that it was alright even if they couldn’t guarantee my survival (laughs).

Q2: B - A woman I’d want to be a woman. Since even if I’m a woman I can still experience being a man if I become an otokoyaku (laughs).

Snow Troupe - Mizu Natsuki

Q1: A - Skydiving I’m not good with water (laughs), so skydiving would be good. I’ve always wanted to go skydiving, actually. Although I think it would be something else to have all the wind blowing in my face (laughs), I’d like to try battling the fear of that moment of falling out of the sky at least once.

Q2: A - A man Since I’m a woman now, I’d like to be born as a man next. I’d like to try doing all sorts of things, but...of course I’d like to go and see Takarazuka. I want to know what it looks like through a man’s eyes (laughs).

Star Troupe - Aran Kei

Q1: A - Skydiving I’ve already done scuba diving, so… I’ve done guided dives many times, and several years back I got a license. Therefore if I was going to challenge myself it would have to be skydiving. I’m a bit scared but I’d really like to try it.

Q2: A - A man Since I’m a woman right now, I’d like to be born as a man next time. As for what I’d like to do as a man, I’d like to travel all around the world by myself. I’d like to travel freely all over the world going to all sorts of places. I feel like travelling alone wherever your whims take you is a bit difficult for a woman, you see.

Cosmos Troupe - Yamato Yuuga

Q1: B - Scuba diving I’m scared just thinking about skydiving (laughs). I often see people doing it on TV and such, but I think I definitely couldn’t ever do that myself. I think scuba diving would suit me a lot better. When I see fish in a fish tank, I get really caught up with looking at them - “What are they thinking?” “Does it feel nice in there?” - so I’d like to spend some time with the fish (laughs).

Q2: B - A woman I think it would be fun to be born as a woman again and try a totally different way of life. For example, I’d like to have a complete opposite profession from what I’m doing now, like desk work or something.

* ‘Matobu’ contains the kanji characters for ‘straight/true’ and ‘flight’

[zukalations]

Honest Choice! (In 2006 too!) - Pick your Best 3: Aran Kei

This GRAPH feature ran in the mid-2000s. Takarasiennes would be given categories to pick their ‘Top 3′ for. Aran’s ran in the September issue.

An outtake from the back of the magazine is included.

Honest Choice! (In 2006 too!) - Pick your Best 3: Aran Kei

Choice! - What do you usually drink during a show?

#1: Water I feel like drinking water is purifying to the body, so during a performance I’ll drink water rather than sports drinks or other things. I like soft water better than hard water, so I’ll always order mineral water from the Zaiho onsen in Kagoshima and drink that.

#2: Luo Han Guo*/Hawthorn broth Yabuki Shou told me that this was good for the throat: you dissolve blocks of concentrate made from Luo Han Guo fruit and Hawthorn in hot water. It’s a little bit sweet and really soothing to the throat. Even during the summer I always use it in hot water. During a performance I’ll put the Luo Han Guo/Hawthorn broth along with regular water in a container so that I can choose which one I want when I go into the wings.

#3: Grape Fanta I like how it has just the right amount of sweetness, and the carbonation isn’t too intense, so I’ve been drinking it for ages. After a performance, the junior actresses will always leave a chilled can of it on my dressing room table for me (laughs). Honestly, I like this one the best, but I only drink one 160ml can of it a day, and only after a performance, so I’m putting it third.

Choice! - What are the most interesting books you’ve read?**

#1: Soukyuu no Subaru This novel is set in China, at the end of the Qing Dynasty. I’m so into it (laughs). In the story, the boy who’s the main character believes what he’s been told by a fortuneteller and decides that he should make it reality, so he sets out to open the way through his own strength. I can really sympathize with the main character’s lifestyle, and it also makes me think ‘it’s incredible that he can believe that’.

#2: Tokyo Tower - Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad This is an autobiographical novel from the life of the author, Lily Franky, and it mainly tells the story of Lily and his mother. It’s written in plain language, so Lily’s love for his mother resonates directly with my heart...it’s really moving.

#3: Half a Confession This is a story about a man who killed his sick wife. The reason why he committed the murder, and what he did afterwards, come to light through the point of view of everyone investigating the case. When the whole situation became clear, I cried so much that I couldn’t keep reading. I read this kind of really emotional novel a lot, but since I’ll cry at the drop of a hat (laughs) I can’t really read them in places where a lot of other people are around.

Choice! - What countries do you most want to go to?

#1: Egypt I want to see the Pyramids and the Sphinx and everything in real life with my own eyes and experience how big they really are. I’ve always been interested in Egypt, and once I had made plans to go, but just then it suddenly got a lot less safe, so I ended up not being able to do… I definitely want to go one day.

#2: The Maldives This is the resort I most want to go to. When I first saw a photo of the cottages above the water, that beach in the Maldives was so beautiful that I can still picture it clearly. I really want to stay in one of those cottages over the water and read books and things and just relax.

#3: Monaco It has that image of being “the country for celebrities”, so it’s a place I’m really longing to go to (laughs). And according to the song I was singing in the show I performed in about Monaco, Meet Again, it seems like it’s safe too (laughs). Although I’d actually like to live there… (laughs). Well, even if that’s never going to happen, I’d like to visit at least once.

*A fruit that is used in Chinese traditional medicine.

** As far as I can tell, none of these books have English releases, but #2 and #3 have film releases that would be available with subtitles.

Outtake:

Touko-san (Aran) says she can’t really read novels in places where there are other people around. “If I was reading a novel by myself and then became so moved that I started to cry, that would look really weird, right? But, when I’m on a train or something, so I have some time, I’ll end up dying to read... And then, if I start reading, I’ll end up in tears... (laughs), so it just doesn’t work, you see (laughs).”

[zukalations]

Otokoyaku Cram School: Hoshigumi Edition

This is a feature out of Aran Kei’s memorial book that was originally published in the March 2008 GRAPH magazine. It has then-Top Star Aran passing on advice to Mahiro Shun, who at the time was a ken-5 junior actress. (Mahiro retired soon after this, but went on to perform in the most recent series of Sailor Moon musicals.)

GRAPH Otokoyaku Cram School - Star Troupe

Instructor: Aran Kei (Star Troupe Top Star) Student: Mahiro Shun (Star Troupe member, debuted 2002)

5 questions from Mahiro for Aran

Mahiro: Touko-san (Aran) is ever so busy during rehearsals and performances, but what do you usually do to refresh yourself? Aran: I find my pets really healing, so I guess they refresh me. I have two cats. When I get home, they will always both come to the entryway as soon as they hear me unlock the door. No matter how tired I am when I get home, when I see my kitties I'm healed and refreshed right away.

Mahiro: What's the one thing you're particular about that you absolutely won't compromise on as an otokoyaku? Aran: This isn't specific to being an otokoyaku, but when I'm acting, I'm always trying to play a 'living human'. So I guess I'm particular about that. In my latest play, El Halcon - The Falcon, although my character of Tyrian is from a manga, when creating my portrayal I told myself 'he's a living human being.' I was very intent on that.

Mahiro: What is your favorite costume of those you've worn up until now? Aran: There are too many I like (laughs). I suppose that outfit from the poster of El Halcon. But Tyrian also has a red costume that I really liked. Since I don't have many chances to wear such things as an otokoyaku, I also really liked the white dress I wore as the etoille in A Song For Kingdoms and the red-and-gold dress from the finale (laughs).

Mahiro: Touko-san, tell me the secret of your beauty! Aran: Wha~t!? I'm not that beautiful, there's no secret (laughs). But if you must have some kind of answer... I think it's important to have antenna that are highly attuned to anything, and cultivate a lot of interests. To keep my skin in good shape, I take vitamins every day and always drink a full glass of water as soon as I get up. Besides that, I think it's really good to interact with chipper junior actresses like Eri-chan (Mahiro). (laughs)

Mahiro: Touko-san, thank you so much for taking this time to indulge me. But I thought it would be a shame to keep this chance to talk to Touko-san all to myself, so what advice would you give to all the junior actresses in Star Troupe? Aran: You all have a lot of motivation and work really hard. I'm really looking forward to seeing how you all turn out. I want you all to believe in yourselves as you take on various challenges on stage. It's fine if you let yourselves go once in a while, I think. I feel like you shouldn't take things too seriously. Please don't ever give up without doing something just because you think 'if I do something like this it will make people angry with me.' When I was a junior actress I tried all sorts of things and it did make people angry with me sometimes (laughs). But now I think those were all really good experiences. When junior actresses are trying different new challenges and learning from trial and error, that has an effect on the senior actresses as well. Please challenge yourselves without being afraid!

[zukalations]

Aran Kei interview: ‘I’ll keep pressing on to the senshuuraku’

I’m trying to clear out my bookmarks of ‘articles to translate’ so there will be some random stuff over the next few days...

This is a Q&A session with brand-new Top Star Aran Kei on her arrival in Tokyo for her debut there with ‘Sakura/Secret Hunter’. The original transcript was published in ENAK Sumire Style on September 13, 2007.

Aran Kei interview: ‘I’ll keep pressing on to the senshuuraku’

Aran: Now that the Takarazuka Grand Theatre performance has ended safely, we've come to Tokyo. I hope everyone in Tokyo will welcome us warmly once again. I'm going to keep pressing on until the senshuuraku, so please treat me well.

Q: What are the highlights of the show?

Aran: In 'Sakura', it's the very end, where everyone wears costumes dyed in tsujigahana* patterns and dances the 'Sakura Bolero'. I'm not in that scene, so I watch it on the monitor in the wings and I always think "it's so lovely". I would love to see it from the audience seats, but that's impossible, so I'd love for all of you to watch it in my place. In 'Secret Hunter' I think the highlight is probably the twist at the very end. You see, I'm always really frustrated, like, "so it was all a trick up until now?" but I'd like the audience to also have that feeling of 'wow, they've really put one over on us'.

Q: What are your favorite scenes?

Aran: In 'Sakura' it's the scene with the dolls of May. It's a really funny scene where they're getting chased by the mice, so we get to perform it fairly 'naturally'. In 'Secret Hunter' I like the opening theft scene, and the scene in the fortress chapel where the main character talks about his father.

Q: How do you feel about your Top Star debut?

Aran: During the Grand Theatre run, every day seemed to go by in a flash. It made me so happy to have the audience and all the other performers welcoming me as I came down the stairs. 'Secret Hunter' has a lot of running around so I would be totally wiped out, but when it came time to go down the stairs I'd totally forget I was tired and it was a wonderfully refreshing feeling. I think I'll feel the same way in the Tokyo run as well, so I'm really delighted.

Q: What do you think about Star Troupe?

Aran: Right now we're full of energy. During the Grand Theatre run, even though there were 130 people** there wasn't a single absence and everyone gave it their all up to the senshuuraku. I think the troupe itself is in really good shape. I hope we can keep on with this energy and passion and unite everyone's energy towards a common goal. The kumichou*** and I will consider any necessary course corrections and do what we can to make it the best troupe possible.

Notes:

* Tsujigahana is a style of shibori dyeing that originated in the Muromachi era.

** No troupe ever has that many people, but 'Sakura/Secret Hunter’ was accompanied with the debut of the 50-person 93d class.

*** kumichou=most senior troupe member (Ema Naoki at the time).

[zukalations]

Scarlet Pimpernel Cast Comments: Aran Kei

There was a large section of the August 2008 Kageki dedicated to Pimpernel, including several pages of commentary from all the major characters. I’m posting each one separately. Paragraphs are added, since it was just block text in the original magazine.

(There was some sudden verb tense confusion in this one as I realized it was between the Takarazuka and Tokyo runs, not after the entire production was over. I think I fixed everything though!)

Aran Kei (Sir Percy Blakeney):

For this production, when I was working on how to put my character together, I felt like I was able to get hold of it a lot quicker than normal. Mr. Wildhorn's music is all really splendid, and because of that I was able to stir up those feelings naturally. This was especially so in the song in the first act 'Prayer' where I have to express my character's suffering. While I was having trouble with the emotion, when I was singing my feelings would gradually increase so the music really saved me.

Percy is a hero among heroes. He has a strong sense of justice, he's cool, he has a sense of humor, and he's a really charming person. During the performance, I wanted to make his love for Marguerite the most important thing. Percy really loves Marguerite. He probably fell for her because of her beauty and her appeal as an actress. But even though he loves her, he can't dispel his doubts about her, and he can't tell her about the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, so there's always conflict between them. During "She was There" everything is resolved and he feels it's alright to love Marguerite, so it's a number that's full of his love for her. In the last scene they're at the height of happiness. Pecy is overflowing with joy now that he knows that he loves her.

Percy doesn't feel anger at the French Revolution itself, but at the unfair purging of the aristocracy. He sees Chauvelin as a rival to his own League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, but he also has some doubts about his relation to Marguerite and suspects he might be a love rival as well.

Since when Percy is disguised as Grapin he's always doing silly things, I'm always a little worried that if I go too far as Grapin people might lose the thread of the story... I also have to keep in mind as I perform that he isn't supposed to be recognized as Percy. Furthermore, when I'm be arguing with Chauvelin, if I go too far in my responses Chauvelin might break character, so I have to make sure there's a good balance there.

In the C section of the Finale I sing "When I Look At You" which is actually my favorite song, so I'm very happy to be able to sing it. And the sabre dance is really fresh and cool. In the duet dance with Asuka I think we create a world for just the two of us that has a grown-up atmosphere.

Heading into the Tokyo performances, I hope that Percy's many faces will be even more distinct, that the fun scenes will be even more fun, the touching scenes even more touching, and that it will have a new emotional resonance with the audience.

[zukalations]

Dream Anthology: Former Star Troupe Top Star Aran Kei - “Reaction to opening night applause”

This is one of several recollections from Takarazuka OGs published by Mainichi Shinbun. This one was published on October 19th, 2015, and features Aran Kei’s memory of the opening night of The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Dream Anthology: Former Star Troupe Top Star Aran Kei

Reaction to opening night applause

While the musical "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (2008) is called my representative work, I didn't even imagine it would turn out that way. Before the curtain opened we hadn't sold too many tickets and hadn't received much of a reaction.

I still can't forget the applause on the first night in the Grand Theatre after I sang on the Silver Bridge at the end of the first act. The applause was so powerful I felt like I would fall into the orchestra pit. After that praise of the show spread and the number of people coming increased.

The lead role, Percy, plays the fool, but in reality he's a hero of justice. Since this is a type of story that turns up in Japan a lot and is easy to understand, it was easy to perform. The beautiful melody of the show's theme song, "A Piece of Courage", was written for us by the composer, Frank Wildhorn.

While I was back on the Grand Stage for the 100th anniversary last year, as well as this year, I faltered a bit seeing how big it was. But the audience was so warm: it was like they were saying "welcome back!"

Next month, at a concert with the Tokyo Philharmonic, I'll be singing "A Piece of Courage" as well as numbers from musicals I performed in after my retirement from Takarazuka. But I want everyone to listen to and enjoy the richly layered music of the orchestra, and not just my singing.