This in-depth otokoyaku feature, which includes discussion of their onstage work, their offstage interests, and a QA with troupe members, was published in GRAPH during 2021. Snow Troupe Top Star Ayakaze’s was published in the December issue.
S-LEARNING: Ayakaze Sakina, Snow Troupe
Let’s learn from Ayakaze Sakina! Everything from otokoyaku fixations to hobbies and special skills~
Part 1 – Otokoyaku
Accessories
These are vital items to becoming my character in a play. I’ll search for things that fit with the era the play is set in, and it’s fun to picture “If I was them I’d pick something like this” when I’m deciding. In revues, it’s thrilling to wear accessories that go with the costumes perfectly. But the performance takes priority, so depending on how vigorous the choreography is the size of what I can use is limited.
Check!
These are rings and cuff links I used in ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA. Max ages as the story progresses, so I didn’t wear rings in Act 1: I was hoping to express the change in his wealth and age through the accessories.
#1 is the ring I wore in the Havana scene that opens act 2. #2 is from right after that, when I’m in a tuxedo–I felt like this might be the first time he’d wear a ring with a gem setting. For the last scene, when he’s become Secretary Bailey, I chose the large ring #3, since it looked like something someone in a high-status position might wear. I love wearing cufflinks during plays, so if I see something beautiful I’ll always buy it for later. These were all from my ‘I Might Use These Sometime’ collection (laughs). I chose them to go with [Max’s] age and the costumes.
Check!
These are the necklaces and earcuffs I wore in the prologue of Music Revolution: New Spirit in the Umeda Arts Theatre. I change costumes in the middle of the prologue, so I prepared 2 sets of accessories. For the first set, since I was wearing the same costume Nozomi (Fuuto)-san was wearing in the Grand Theatre version, so I used the accessories Nozomi-san wore as inspiration for this simple black-and-silver color combination. For the second costume, that’s more ornamented and in a red and gold color scheme, I changed the style of the accessories as well.
Check!
Silk Road is a revue that has a bit of a story to it, so it was really fun picking the accessories. In the prologue I play a bandit, and I was instructed ‘It should feel like he’s wearing things he stole’, so I picked these earrings that looked like they were made out of brooches. For the middle ensemble number, I play a Hindu deity, so I tried to match the iridescent colors of the costumes, making this ear cuff with all different colors to express an unearthly quality. And then, I thought, if it’s India then I guess tigers (laughs). I found this fun ring so I tried playing around with it.
Relaxation
When I was a junior actress, I was always putting so much effort in, desperately pushing my otokoyaku performance. But once 10 years had passed, finally the foundational movements like standing and walking started to come a bit more naturally. And then, in the latest show, CITY HUNTER, my role of Saeba Ryou is a rather elusive character, so I felt I needed to make sure I looked effortless. I started with finding the “Saeba Ryou Neutral”: the relaxed baseline I return to even after moments of intense action. Using the manga as guidance, I stood with my neck further forward than usual, and kept my fingers in softer forms instead of tight angles. With my increased experience over the years, I’ve become able to flip that switch between 100% and 30%, and I think in-character it conveys a sense of comfortableness in the role, so in the future I plan to continue trying to express that nonchalance.
Voice
The main thing that reaches the audience members sitting in the very back of the second floor is my voice. Especially in plays, what I do when I’m trying to get a grasp on the character is imagine their voice, and I try to make it so that even if I just say one word the audience can still tell it’s that character. I put in the emotions at the same time, thinking about “how would this person sound when they cry? When they’re angry?” In shows where it’s based on an anime I want to try and bring in the original voice actor’s intonation, so I’ll do things like saying the lines along with them (laughs). I’ll record myself in rehearsals every day, and when I get something I’m happy with I’ll analyze that to figure out why, for example “I think it’s because I breathed in this way when I was portraying this emotion”—it’s a fun exercise.
Humanity
Before, I operated under the principle that as an otokoyaku I had to be cool or alluring before anything else, but with Carriere in Phantom, I prioritized ‘vulnerability’ in my performance. Thanks to that role, I came to understand that, no matter how cool or strong someone might look on the surface, of course they also have gone through pain, sadness, and tears. Exposing your own vulnerability in performance is actually something that takes a lot of courage, struggle, and effort. Though as otokoyaku, what we are imagining and creating might be different from men in real life, since I’m an otokoyaku I want to keep challenging myself in what I’m conveying in my performances.
Back
I can still remember the performance correction Misa Noeru-san gave me when I had the lead in the Roget junior performance a long time ago. “When you make your first entrance and turn around, try imagining you’re wearing the biggest parade feathers on your back.” Of course, back then, all I could do was imagine it, but when I pictured myself carrying those huge feathers, suddenly the energy went into my back and I was naturally filled with anticipation. When entering with your back facing the audience—like in the prologue of Fire Fever!, which also does this—I realized that if you don’t have that level of energy it won’t get through to the audience. I still treasure that piece of advice, and I often pass it on to my juniors.
Part 2
Digging deeper into something she’s into lately!
SAKINA’S TOPIC: Self-Improvement
As a junior actress, I could rehearse until late at night and sleep even just 3 hours and be fine, but as I became a senior actress, well, somehow that just didn’t cut it any more, right (laughs). The body is the foundation for everything, after all, so right now I’m finding enjoyment in focusing on doing self care properly, like making sure I stretch thoroughly on days I learned a lot of choreography so I’m not sore the next day, or making sure I get to sleep early the night before an important photoshoot… I’ve realized that in order to give the audience a top-condition performance, I have to be replenished myself, and I can’t neglect the time it takes to do that. Here I’m going to talk about some of the elements that go into keeping my body and soul in good shape!
Muscle training
I used to only focus on the skills aspect when my dancing didn’t go well, but recently, I realized I didn’t have enough of the muscles called for. I had one of the resident trainers in the company create a training ‘menu’ for me and I’m doing it every day. In the morning, at home first I do yoga to loosen up, and then after going through two or so exercises on the menu I go to the theatre. I take a barre lesson to sort out my body’s situation that day and the regions that aren’t moving as well, and then I finish out the muscle training. It makes me so happy when I’m actually dancing and I can feel “the spins went so smoothly today” or “I landed that jump so well”. I don’t get sore as easily as I used to, and I don’t run out of breath as easily, and I discovered that working out helps me feel more positive (laughs).
Pre-Performance Warmup:
Morning yoga
Classical ballet barre lesson
9 exercise workout menu
Breakfast
I want to prevent myself from getting out of condition due to something I ate, so during a performance I always eat the same things and make sure I pay attention to the nutritional balance. I saw that a celebrity weightlifter’s oatmeal recipe was getting rave reviews on Youtube1, and when I tried making it myself I found that it really suited me. I started drinking tomato juice since Kano-chan (Jun Hana) recommended it to me. It’s hard to cut up a lot of different vegetables and get them ready in the morning, so I figure I can make do with juice. I select juices without sodium or anything else added, and order regular deliveries.
Standard performance menu:
Bacon and egg with broccoli
Hot oatmeal with prunes and milk
Yogurt mixed with charcoal blended protein powder and Aojiru2 powder base
Tomato juice
Coffee or black tea
Fashion
As a Takarasienne, first of all I feel like it’s important to be aware that everyone is always going to be looking at me. Recently fashion styles have expanded a lot, and men’s fashion incorporating feminine elements were a fun discovery for me. I learn a lot from looking through current styles and picking out what suits me best, even if I’m just trying things on. The night before a photoshoot or other work I’ll have a staredown with my closet figuring out my outfit, and it’s such a fun time. On days when there isn’t anything in particular going on I’ll pick things out when I get up in the morning based on the weather and my mood. Fashion is something I use to get my mood up, too. If it’s raining, I’ll think “I’ll wear something bright to give myself energy for the day!”
Musumeyaku Appreciation <3
For otokoyaku, observing the adorable musumeyaku and discussing them gives us so much energy! (laughs) Even when I’m just reading GRAPH, I’ll send photos back and forth with a certain un-named former Snow Troupe Top Star and we’ll get so excited (laughs). ‘This portrait is so gorgeous’ ‘Two-musumeyaku magazine covers rule!!’. In the CITY HUNTER rehearsals, the musumeyaku had their hair in messy ponytails or down in curls, rather than the normal updos with sparkly hair accessories, so I was able to see them in a lot of different styles than usual. All us otokoyaku were whispering to each other “They’re so cute” “so cute” (laughs). So seeing the musumeyaku makes us otokoyaku think, let’s do our best! It’s a vital element to recharging my energy.
Reading
Reading a favorite book during a bath is my ultimate relaxation method. My favorite author is Murakami Haruki, and the other day I finished reading 1Q84: even though I owned it I hadn’t had the chance to get through all of it yet. It was so fascinating I couldn’t stop, and by the time I noticed I’d been in the tub for an hour. I like being absorbed in how his perspective mixes fantasy and reality, and how it makes me stretch my imagination wondering what he means. Earlier, I recommended Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage to Agachin (Agata), and later she told me ‘That was so good!’ and was so excited to tell me all about her unique impressions of it (laughs). They’re deep books that every person can interpret differently.
Time with my dogs and ferret
When I get home and the dogs welcome me I’ll think “Ah, I’m so glad I did my best today~” I’m not usually the type to laze around at home, but when Cherie comes over and lays down on my tummy I’ll think “Well, I might as well relax for 5 more minutes~ <3” (laughs). Until now I couldn’t flip my on/off switch, so I’d bring work home and overthink it, and often in the end I’d find myself spinning my wheels in rehearsal…but now I can forgive myself those five minutes. It’s a huge transformation. To me they feel like nutrients for my heart.
Sleep
30 minutes before I go to bed I’ll put the air conditioning on, burn some incense, and make sure it’s a good environment to sleep in. After I get out of the back I’ll rub down my muscles with oil and then practically dual wield different tools like a Pelvic Craftsman and a massage gun to make sure I get rid of any tension before getting dressed for bed. For pajamas, my go-to is Recovery Wear by VENEX, but I have a lot of different summer and winter styles in different textures, so sometimes I’ll decide something feels wrong after putting it on, and I’ll switch to cotton or silk. I’m particular about pillows, too, and in summer I’ll use an ice pillow. I also take steps to make sure my throat doesn’t get dry while I sleep. My optimum sleep time is 7 hours!
PART 3 – Question
6 Snow Troupe members of Ayakaze Sakina’s choice ask questions they couldn’t ask anywhere else!
Ai Sumire
Q: What is it that you like so much about me? And when was it you actually started liking me? Even though we talk about all kinds of silly things all the time somehow you never tell me that. I know you like me, okay? So please try to use this page to properly tell me your love in words <3
A: I love you exactly the way you were born. As for what exactly, I guess ‘everything’ isn’t wrong? …Answering seriously (laughs). I think it started when we ate together on a day off during the Hakata run of Man of Starlight/Fancy Guy!. I don’t really remember, but probably that (laughs).
Agata Sen
Q: Sakina-san, I hardly ever see you running in the wings. When you’re in a hurry it’s always ‘shushushu’—smoothly speedwalking! Is this because you’re thinking “in the arts it’s important to always remain calm’? Sorry this is a boring question (laughs).
A: It’s because if I’m dashing around like ‘Waaah~!’ that will end up showing when I get on stage (laughs). I don’t run because I calculate everything! Even when I have quick changes, I settle on the time limit down to the wire, for example “When this sound effect comes I’ve got to go.” If I run around the wasted energy will affect my performance later, and the wings can be dangerous!
Rina Kurumi
Q: I like driving to get a change of mood. This is a brazen question, but, if you went on a drive with me, where would we go and what would we do? <3 Personally…I’d like to go glamping on the beach! Saki-san is so cool onstage, but whenever I talk to you offstage you’re so fun and spacey, so I want to get to know that side of you more!
A: I was also thinking that if I was going with you, Rinakuru (Rina), outdoor activities would be great! But rather than going to the beach, I’d like to go fishing in the river and try camp cooking! Or something (laughs). When we talk you always seem like a really fun and dedicated girl, so I think that even if we were in the middle of nothing but the great outdoors you seem like you’d have a great time and be really strong. I want to see Rinakuru gripping the steering wheel so let’s trade off driving!
Haori Yuuka
Q: I’ve been able to dance in so many different styles up until now, and as I come to understand the choreographers’ intentions, I’ve started to become more and more interested in how you bring in your own style during the creative process. I especially remember how much Choreographer Kawasaki (Etsuko) praised you for the dove dance in Silk Road. I didn’t have much opportunity to study that kind of contemporary choreography in the Music School, so when I’m given something new, how should I study it in order to make it my own?
A: I think you should start out by copying the choreographer. From there, it’s like you bring in the imagery that comes to you naturally from the choreography and the rest of the scene. So for example, if I get the impression of ‘softness’, I’ll try movements like raising my arms from the elbow and following through with my fingers at the last moment. As the doves in Silk Road, the most important thing was the emotions. The concept was that we were beings that symbolize Nozomi-san and Kiichan (Maaya Kiho), so I incorporated the feelings that I wanted to express!
Ichika Ao
Q: Related to CITY HUNTER, if you had a drug that could give you invulnerability and superhuman strength like ‘Angel Dust’, what would you want to do? I’d like to see how far I could run along the Muko River! (laughs)
A: The Muko River? Why? (laughs) Huh, I don’t want that… See, no matter what I did it wouldn’t be my own effort. No matter how much of a pain it is, I want to overcome things by myself, so I don’t need that (laughs).
Aoha Reiya
Q: CITY HUNTER/Fire Fever! was a really hard performance, but it seems like Saki-san in particular was having a really tough time, since you were onstage practically the whole time and you had such grand costumes… After all that, what’s your night routine for ‘If I do this to rest up I can totally make it through the next day!’? If you have something please tell me!
A: I talked a lot about this on the previous page, but my night routine is…I get home, I wash my hands and gargle, and say hello to the dogs. Then I eat dinner and get the bath ready while I tidy up, and while I’m in the bath I read while using the ReFa GRACE HEAD SPA on my head. After that I laze around with the dogs and massage myself. Then I sleep. And when this doesn’t go according to plan I get irritable (laughs).
Outtake Photos
1 – Not confirmed, but likely to be this viral video.
2 – A powdered health drink mix.