This 2008 GRAPH feature had Top Stars answering questions from up-and-coming young stars. The Snow Troupe edition was published in the December issue and featured Mizu Natsuki and Ouki Kaname.
Please note that the translation was sourced from the reprint in Mizu’s memorial book, so though it did not appear abridged there is a chance that it was.
Otokoyaku Cram School – Snow Troupe
Instructor: Mizu Natsuki
Student: Ouki Kaname
5 questions from Ouki Kaname!
#1 – “Chika-san (Mizu), you’re always so energetic. Where does all that energy come from?”
Mizu: I think it’s from all of your cheerful selves and the energy from the audience. That’s why, even if I feel tired when I get up in the morning, once I’m in rehearsal or performing on stage I get more energized. Maybe I’m an energy vampire? (laughs) No, I think I’m more likely to have my energy sucked away, but I think maybe I’m just good at circulating that energy. Also, I think I have a lot of foundational strength from doing pilates and strength training.
#2 – “What is it that makes you happiest and most emotionally moved since becoming lead otokoyaku of Snow Troupe?”
Mizu: This year, when I had my birthday during a Grand Theatre show1, everyone’s feelings came across so strong and I was really happy! Of course, since becoming lead otokoyaku, everyone is always looking after me and helping me out so those feelings always make me happy. The most, though…during the parade. Because everyone’s looking at me, see (laughs). My vision is good, so I make eye contact with even the girls furthest towards the edge.
#3 – “Chika-san, you like sweets. What would you most recommend?”
Mizu: The mango pudding at the Peninsula Hotel2. Of course since it’s a pudding from a top-class hotel it’s really rich. But despite how rich it is, the fruit is so soft… Also, depending on the size, it comes in a glass dessert ball kind of thing, so that luxurious feeling is so fun. Apparently, a craving for sweets comes from brain fatigue, and muscle fatigue causes a craving for salt. Therefore, I have to make sure I get enough sweets to keep my brain rejuvenated… (laughs) I’m so happy whenever I’m eating a delicious desert!
#4 – “Chika-san, you always seem so cool and reserved, but what were you like as a little kid?”
Mizu: Ever since I was in elementary school I would always be class representative or something like that, and I was actually a pretty bossy type (laughs). You could say my diligence and sense of honesty were really strong… I feel like that changed a but starting when I transferred to Flower Troupe (at ken-5). I feel like I discovered I didn’t have to be so serious about everything, and my horizons expanded. But I’m not the type to start shrieking whenever there’s a fire alarm or a thunderstorm: that hasn’t changed since I was little. Even now when I oversleep, or have to do a quick-change, things like that, I’m not like ‘aah~!’ and pushing myself to rush, I try to calmly decide what I’m doing.
#5 – “What do you think is most important to you as a person and a performer?”
Mizu: Maybe it’s feeling grateful. I think that’s the most important thing. This year, on my birthday, I was so thankful to my parents. I thought, since I’ve lived safely this far I need to make sure I’m thankful to the parents who gave birth to me… I’m also thankful to the audience members who decide they want to see me perform, and also thankful to all the staff members who support us behind the scenes. The fans, the cast members, the staff…I’m able to do my best because of everyone else around me, and because all of our hearts are united we’re able to create something wonderful. I have to be thankful for all of those feelings, right. It’s easy to forget all of that, so every day I pray to the O-Inari-san3 in the wings and think about how I need to make sure I don’t forget.
1 – Early in the run of King Solomon’s Ring/Mariposa
2 – Can be seen here on the hotel chain’s Hong Kong webite: https://www.peninsulaboutique.com/hk/en/categories/cakes-pastries/mango-pudding.html
3 – There is a shrine to the fox deity Inari in the Grand Theatre which Takarazuka actresses pray to for safety during performances. (Its exact location is a little unclear; Mizu says it is in the wings and other sources say near the dressing room entrance, but this might be because of the theatre’s rebuilding in the early 90s.)