ZUKA LIVE was an ‘advice show’ style column in GRAPH where readers could write in with questions for stars. Houzuki’s was published in the December 2021 issue.
(As with all reader features, there is the possibility that I missed some reference in the pen names.)
ZUKA LIVE – Houzuki An (Moon Troupe)
The stars respond to readers’ questions and requests!
Q: What are your favorite movie or theatre scenes and lines? (Anna)
A: There are a lot, but Titanic for sure. I know it’s basic, but I love Leonardo DiCaprio, and each and every scene is so lovely. But my favorite scene of all is when Jack gets the note ‘Meet me in front of the clock’ from the high-class girl Rose, and turns around to meet her there! It’s such a famous scene but it really is such a wonderful bit of film. No matter how many times I see it I always cry. It’s such a masterpiece. And DiCaprio’s coolness makes good otokoyaku research material in a lot of ways.
Q: I would like to ask Houzuki-san for advice. I have a daughter (10) in primary school, who watches Houzuki-san’s perfect performances in both male and female roles on loop. However, she still believes otokoyaku are actual men and refuses to be shaken in this belief. I’m a little concerned if it’s okay to let things go on this way. Houzuki-san, if it was you, how would you solve this problem? (My Daughter Has Been A Takarazuka Fan For Seven Years)
A: It’s probably wrong to tell your 10-year-old daughter ‘There aren’t any real men that nice!’, I think (laughs). In that case, maybe you could try leaving things up to the natural flow of time? If she gets into it fully, she’ll realize eventually that it’s wonderful because it’s performed by women, and I think that way she’ll like it even more in the end. I’m full of hope that in the end she won’t think ‘If it’s not men I don’t like it!’ but rather ‘It’s so great that they’re all women!’ (laughs).
Q: Does Moana-chan’s1 naughtiness ever cause you any trouble? (Ultimate Ice)
A: She always sits in the passenger seat of my car, but she can open the window by herself (laughs). I thought ‘maybe she did it by accident?’, but it always happens, so it seems like she’s got to be doing it on purpose. People passing by going ‘Oh my goooooosh!’ only encourages her, so it’s like she’s going on a parade through town (laughs).
Q: Whenever I see Chinatsu-san onstage, it’s so exciting that I feel like I’m going to stop breathing. What has been an exciting moment for you recently? (Moonlight)
A: Right now I’m in the middle of rehearsals for The Kawagiri Bridge, and I’d always liked this show, but when I watched the old recordings back after it was decided that we would put it on, each character was so wonderful as a person. Playwright Shibata’s script wasn’t just going for stereotypical heart-pounding lines, but rather it makes you drawn to them in a heartfelt way. I was thrilled with all my heart. Right now I’ve reached the point where I think ‘Playwright Shibata was just so cool to be able to develop these characters like this!’
Q: I love Chinatsu-san’s mysterious atmosphere. How can I become mysterious? (Lina)
A: I think ‘mystery’ and ‘ennui’ are two sides of the same coin. Even though I’m full of energy and concentrating diligently, I keep getting told I look sleepy or bored (laughs). When I was a junior actress it made me look like I didn’t have enough ‘guts’, so that was a negative point, but it never changed and recently it’s become seen in a positive way, since it looks like I’m comfortable with myself. But I just never changed anything about myself, so I don’t recommend aiming for ‘mysterious’ (laughs).
Q: I’m so into Chinatsu-san’s subtle gazes and the way your intensity extends all the way to your fingertips. A while back you said ‘I’ve gotten into Takarazuka from before I started watching them’. Is there anything you’ve incorporated into your own style after watching?
A: Suzukaze Mayo-san, Maya Miki-san, Makoto Tsubasa-san, Shibuki Jun-san…everyone is so charismatic and full of their own individuality, and I really enjoyed watching them. As I became a senior actress and got more roles with responsibility, sometimes the feeling of ‘I can’t mess up!’ or ‘I’ve got to do this right!’ gets too strong. But I realized once again that the feeling of ‘I want everyone to enjoy what I want to express!’ is so important, in the end.
Q: Chinatsu-san, show us one of your favorite otokoyaku poses!! (Pon)
Q: Your style and poise is so amazing. Are there any rules or things you follow to achieve your style? (Happy Moon)
A: Hmmmm… I enjoy the feeling of wearing something right, costumes or my own clothes, so I do have the goal of ‘I want to make these clothes look good!’. Also, when I’m playing female roles, I became aware of how important it is in beautiful carriage to be conscious of your core muscles. But it’s impossible to achieve a beautiful body like the musumeyaku have in a short time, so I think the important thing is to have that goal and to live conscious of carrying oneself beautifully every day.
Q:
10x memory power
0 calories no matter what you eat
Change places with anyone
If you could pick only one of these three abilities, which would you choose?? Tell me why! (Non)
A: (instant response) 10x memory power! I can tell my memories of the past are gradually disappearing, and there are a lot of things I can’t remember at all (laughs). That’s such a waste, so I’d like to have some storage space for my old memories to keep the new ones from pushing them out. Also I want to be able to just remember lines and choreography! It’s hard to pass up on 0 calories, but I don’t know what I’d do with changing places. I think every person has their own unique style, so I don’t think changing places necessarily means anything good would happen (laughs).
Q: I’m a highschool student in a stage performance club, but soon I’m going to be the oldest member of the club. I have a lot of juniors, but I don’t know how to keep everyone organized. Chinatsu-san, you are one of the senior members of your troupe, so please tell me if there’s anything you pay attention to when interacting with your juniors. I’m going to keep supporting you foreeeeeever!
A: I don’t just want to keep everyone in line, but to bring us all together to make a good performance. I think one thing that contributes to that is for the juniors to experience what they want to do and what they enjoy about it. That’s the most persuasive thing and what will get the best response from them. Also, I think if you are taking something on energetically, even if you don’t tell everyone else they’ll still learn from seeing you. As your juniors find what they want to do they’ll naturally try to advance themselves, so I feel like that might be the best way to go about things. I’m supporting you too! Please do your best.
1 – Houzuki’s french bulldog.