In the 2010 GRAPH photo feature (featuring an unreplicable pun on the Japanese word for ‘3’), performers presented photos from their third year in the company. The September issue featured Misuzu Aki, Sakura Ichika, Daigo Seshiru, and Makaze Suzuho.
Beautiful Sunday – We were Ken-3 Once
Misuzu Aki (Flower Troupe) – Debuted 1998
During Ludwig II
Mizusu Aki (left) and Takashou Mizuki
This was the first Grand Theatre performance after Takashou transferred from Cosmos Troupe to Flower Troupe. My debut had been in Cosmos Troupe, so after I gave my audience address, I would always hand over my microphone to Takashou, but back then I was never really able to talk to her… In this junior performance I got to play Takashou’s role, so I remember being really happy about it. When I was ken-3, when I was in rehearsal or performing, I’d always be watching my seniors thinking ‘Wow, she’s so cool! And so is she!’. Of course they explained things to me with words too, but I think I learned a lot just watching so many different otokoyaku.
Sakura Ichika (Flower Troupe) – Debuted 1999
My first national tour, The Tale of Genji: Lived within a Dream/The Beauties!
From left, Yoshizuki Eri, Maina Rion, Hanagata Hikaru, Sakura Ichika
It was my first time performing in a national tour, and on top of that it had a Japanese-style play followed by a western-style revue, so basically I was racing the clock every day (laughs). When we changed costumes during the play, we would all help each other get our kimono on…I can’t talk about that production without bringing up our teamwork. During this performance, the 4 of us in my class and the class below did all the work of the most junior performers together1. The photo is all of us going ‘We’ll do our best!’ and amping ourselves up before we set out on the national tour. We had some tough times, but we got to visit so many famous places, and eat delicious foods, so I have a mountain of fun memories from it.
Daigo Seshiru (Snow Troupe) – Debuted 2002
At the 90th Anniversary Sports Festival with my Snow Troupe classmates
Front row from left: Yuuki Senju, Daigo Seshiru, Maasa Hitomi, Sahana Mako; Second row: Sen Hafuri, Murasaki Itsumi
Somehow when my class tries to take photos we never seem to be able to get everybody together, so even in this one we were like ‘We’re still missing people~’ while we were taking it (laughs). Snow Troupe wasn’t able to win, so we were really frustrated, but it’s a good memory now. Also, I have such strong memories of playing taiko in our entrance parade… Not to mention, during Susano’o, I was putting my life on the line for the taiko performance (laughs). The Taiko Team had a really important role, since everyone else would be dancing to the sound of our performance, so we were really pushing ourselves, trying to match our breathing and strike together, one beat and the next. We all still have that rhythm memorized (laughs).
Makaze Suzuho (Star Troupe) – Debuted 2006
At the Wind of Buenos Aires Bow Hall performance
From left, Mishiro Ren, Miya Rurika, Makaze Suzuho
We borrowed some props left in the wings for a second to take this photo (laughs). I was able to learn so much about acting under Director Masatsuka during this production, and it’s full of fun memories. During my ken-3 year, I got to experience a lot of roles, and it was a chaotic year for me… I had my first junior performance lead, and learned so much from the Aran Kei, who had the lead in the main cast, which was really an immeasurably valuable experience. At the time I was just desperate to make it through, but now that I think back on it all again, I feel grateful that I was able to do so many different things over the span of that year.
1 – It is traditional for the youngest members of a tour cast to do various tasks to help with travel logistics (such as tidying dressing rooms before departure, etc.).