Mori Keaki published this essay book the month before her retirement as Top Star of Snow Troupe. It is mainly a memoir of her personal journey in Takarazuka, as well as her early life. Her writing\/formatting style is kind of unique, and I tried to reproduce or reflect it as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a really lovely book that ended up making me cry many times. I hope you enjoy it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a table of contents with links to all the posted chapters, go\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Prologue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is Mori Keaki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I will now begin writing Mori Keaki: 120% Darling<\/em>. I hope you will watch and enjoy to the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026and right away I have to apologize\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s just that I\u2019m so used to hearing it. (The \u2018opening announcement\u2019, I mean.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n And so it turns out that, not being satisfied merely with performing onstage, I\u2019ve turned my hand to writing as well, so in order to share my memories of my Takarazuka life and in order for all of you to understand a bit more about Mori Keaki, even if it\u2019s a bit embarrassing, here is my poor attempt at being an author.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hope that after opening this book you will stay with me until the end\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n To you all, with my love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And now, Mori Keaki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I first made my stage debut in this world on the 23rd of March, in the 54th year of the Showa Era1<\/sup> – exactly, the first day of my debut show!<\/p>\n\n\n\n First there was the graduation from the Takarazuka Music School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then the entrance ceremony into the Takarazuka Revue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That was the beginning of \u2018Mori Keaki\u2019s life, you see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Takarazuka Grand Theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On that first day, in front of about 3000 audience members!<\/p>\n\n\n\n To be honest, at the time, I was totally lost in the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But if I think back\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026yes. That day. That moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I thought:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am, I really am, Mori Keaki!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was so, so moved\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the \u2018Mori Keaki\u2019 who was born then\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the 5th year of the Heisei Era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In March\u2026in the spring\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Graduates\u2019 from the Takarazuka Revue in the Tokyo Takarazuka Theatre with the Snow Troupe performance The 47 Ronin: Fall with the Snow, Fall with the Flowers<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The \u2018Mori Keaki\u2019 who was born in Takarazuka, was still only 14 years old, but in that long yet short life, she was protected and raised by so many people who love Takarazuka\u2026when I think of that, I\u2019m full of too much emotion to express.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So many different experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And of course, anger and sadness too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But I enjoyed all of it so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I felt more than 100% happy through my whole being, every moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My beloved Takarazuka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To all of you, with love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m writing some of my memories of the time I\u2019ve spent into this book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps enjoying it will give you some energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m writing in hope of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you for joining me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mori Keaki<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 – 1979 in Western reckoning<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Mori Keaki published this essay book the month before her retirement as Top Star of Snow Troupe. It is mainly a memoir of her personal journey in Takarazuka, as well as her early life. Her writing\/formatting style is kind of … Continue reading