days: Sakuragi Minato (April 2017)

days was a photo feature in GRAPH where performers created a journal or blog-style timeline of photos with captions. Sakuragi’s covers the end of 2016, featuring her performances of L’Aigle Aux Deux Tetes in Yokohama, the Takarazuka Special, and rehearsals for Chateau de la Reine/Viva! Festa!.

(Please note that there are brief references to weight/body image in this feature.)

days – Sakuragi Minato

Get a look at stars’ every day lives with their offstage photos!

I’m going to talk about the days I spent between the Bow Hall/KAAT Theatre show L’Aigle Aux Deux Tetes in November-December of last year, and the next Grand Theatre production. It made me personally really happy to be able to do a performance in my hometown of Yokohama at the end of last year, and though it was only a week-long performance every day was so satisfying.

(from left: Sakuragi, Misaki Rion, Kazuki Sora)

11/22 – I never knew about these

When the three of us went to Quatre Reves for a Sky Stage program, I discovered ‘kabuki glasses’ for the first time. They’re amazing: you can clap while still watching through opera glasses. After presenting them on the tv program, we were given our own! This is a photo we took while talking about how funny we looked wearing them (laughs).

12/10 – Yokohama is just so nice <3

This is the view of Yamashita Park from the hotel I stayed at during the KAAT performance. Isn’t it pretty!? (laughs) I was wondering if I was promoting Yokohama too much, but doing a performaince in my hometown made my love so much deeper, so I decided I should put more out there (laughs).

(Nanami Hiroki (left) and Sakuragi)

12/12 – I’m so sorry…

A monster in women’s clothes!! (laughs) During the Takarazuka Special, I was coupled up with Kai-san. We became close while we were in Cosmos Troupe together, so because of that I felt comfortable, but to think there would be a lift!! When I thought about how I wanted to be just 1 gram lighter, I couldn’t eat at all… (bitter laugh)

(From left: Nanao Maki, Asao Ren, Haruka Kokoro, Ayaka Mari, Sakuragi, Mirei Jun, Suzuka Maya)

12/17 – A birthday during rehearsal

This is from my birthday, which was during rehearsals for the Grand Theatre show. I’m with Koko-chan (Haruka Kokoro) who has the same birthday, and my classmates who happened to be in the same place (laughs). In elementary and middle school my birthday was always during winter vacation so I felt really lonely. I was so happy this year to celebrate it like this, together with everyone.

(from left: Asami Jun, Sakuragi, Kaede Yuki)

12/29 – At dress rehearsal…

While I was had some waiting time during rehearsal, I dropped in on Moon Troupe’s dress rehearsal. I’ve always got on well with Aasa (Asami), and when I watch her perform now it makes me think I don’t want to lose out. I’ve often gone out with Tan-san (Kaede) as well, and I love how she always feels like she’s working hard on stage.

1/9 – When in Kansai…

My retired classmate, Kazushiro Runa, had come back from a performance in Tokyo, so we decided we should go out to eat, and we had a takoyaki party with us, Oosumi Rei-san, Rinjou [Kira]-san, and Misaki [Rion]-san. I wasn’t accustomed to it at all, so Kansai native Misaki told me ‘Enough, hand it over~!’ and fried them up so skillfully I felt a bit ashamed watching her (laughs).

(from left: Asao, Ayaka, Suzuhana, Nanao, Misaki, Reimi Urara, Mirei, Sakuragi)

1/30 – Classmate gathering!

This was the last day of Grand Theatre rehearsals. We took this picture while we were all tidying up and taking our things to the dressing room. I wasn’t very conscious of it being Misaki’s retirement, but when I saw the choreography of the duet dance, it brought the tears to my eyes. She did so much for me…well, I did a bunch for her too (laughs).

2/9 – Safari

I tried taking this photo in my room. Recently I’ve been into interior decorating, so I’m enjoying myself putting all kinds of animal statues around my potted plants. It’s so cute seeing the animals in the shade of the plants, so it’s healing.


1 – Moon Troupe was preparing for Grand Hotel/Carousel Rondo at the time.

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