{"id":936,"date":"2018-10-24T04:05:00","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T10:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/?p=936"},"modified":"2021-01-09T20:49:06","modified_gmt":"2021-01-10T03:49:06","slug":"graph-petit-talk-ichika-sakura-hanano-juria-hatsuhime-saaya-kayou-kirari","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/2018\/10\/24\/graph-petit-talk-ichika-sakura-hanano-juria-hatsuhime-saaya-kayou-kirari\/","title":{"rendered":"GRAPH PETIT TALK: Ichika Sakura, Hanano Juria, Hatsuhime Saaya, Kayou Kirari"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this talk feature, several Flower Troupe members discuss in detail the philosophy of being a musumeyaku. It was published in the November 2011 issue of\u00a0GRAPH<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

GRAPH PETIT TALK: Ichika Sakura, Hanano Juria, Hatsuhime Saaya, Kayou Kirari<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musumeyaku are the ones who vividly brighten Takarazuka performances. They are always in pursuit of \u2018beauty\u2019 and sparkle brilliantly\u2026 We asked Flower Troupe members Sakira Ichika, Hanano Juria, Hatsuhime Saaya, and Kayou Kirari to tell us about their secrets. Please enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something you are particular about as a musumeyaku<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em>\u00a0What, I wonder\u2026 Modesty, fairness, and grace1<\/sup>? (laughs) Of course, I always think about how I want to make sure I\u2019m pretty. What do you all think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano:<\/em> It might be totally obvious, but even during rehearsals I\u2019ll make sure to do my hair in a way that suits my role, and I\u2019ll choose leotard and skirt colors that go with the role as well. And if I\u2019m dancing together with an otokoyaku, I\u2019ll think about my hairstyle and accessories to make sure they don\u2019t get in her way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime:<\/em> Yes, exactly. All the things our seniors as musumeyaku would do are things that, now, Ichika-san (Sakura) and all of the rest of us are doing. They\u2019re things that were passed down to us through the generations, right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> That\u2019s right. It\u2019s not things we decided to do by ourselves, but rather we picked them up naturally from observing the senior actresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime:<\/em> In rehearsals, the otokoyaku will often give us advice too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano:<\/em> Right. They\u2019ll say, oh, your hairstyle and all suits your role well, or compliment our rehearsal clothes, that kind of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura: <\/em>Yes, they\u2019ll praise us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayou:<\/em> We grow by being complimented (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime: <\/em>Yeah. If they say things like \u2018the musumeyaku in our troupe are so great\u2019 that gives us a lot of strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano:<\/em> Therefore, the feeling that we\u2019ve got to pay attention to that will deepen further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura, Hatsuhime, Kayou:<\/em> Yes, yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> Even among us musumeyaku, we\u2019ll often tell each other \u2018your hair is so cute\u2019 and such. That really has meaning, since everyone is looking out for each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime: <\/em>And really, I think that rather than mimicking someone else, most of us try to properly understand our own good points and try to develop a sense of how to emphasize that. Rather than throwing a lot of lace on our costumes, we\u2019ll think about it carefully to decide, say, \u2018will this set it off best?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano:<\/em> That\u2019s right, even down to the junior actresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> For example, if there\u2019s someone who has an issue with the shape of her face, she\u2019ll experiment with hairstyles to cover it, and research all sorts of methods to make herself look as pretty as possible. Personally, for my hair and makeup, I\u2019ll do a lot of research in films, magazines, and books, but if there\u2019s something that interests me I\u2019ll just think \u2018well, I\u2019d like to try that sometime,\u2019 and just file it away (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano:<\/em> Me too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime:<\/em> Like otokoyaku will study the way actors smoke cigarettes, when I\u2019m watching a movie or something my eye will always be caught by the actresses\u2019 hair and makeup, no matter what (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayou:<\/em> Right, it draws the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano:<\/em> I\u2019m always like \u2018how can I create the atmosphere this actress has?\u2019 So when I\u2019m using outside inspiration for new hairstyles or wigs, I don\u2019t totally copy them, but try to adjust them to suit me personally. I think there are a lot of people who go for that sort of challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeauty\u201d and the true charm of musumeyaku<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayou:<\/em> Since I heard that the theme for today was \u2018beauty\u2019, I researched the word myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura: <\/em>That\u2019s so cool! You looked at the big picture (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime:<\/em> Wow, that\u2019s so broad though (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayou:\u00a0<\/em>I wasn\u2019t really sure what to expect (laughs). The word \u2018beauty\u2019 also has a sense of \u2018love\u2019, so some examples I found were the Mona Lisa, or ukiyo-e2<\/sup>, and as for flowers, roses and other things like that. However, it seems as if what is considered to be \u2018beauty\u2019 changes depending on the era. Since Takarazuka is a classical institution, we should be striving to achieve the \u2018beauty\u2019 of that era, but on the other hand, the audience members watching are from the modern era, so I also think it\u2019s important not to forget current styles. I think if the Flower Troupe musumeyaku were all to line up we would all be able to express a lot of different things, even while still adhering to a norm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura, Hanano, Hatsuhime: <\/em>Yes, I think so~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura: <\/em>It\u2019s really fun to take the Takarazuka style \u2018foundation\u2019 and then go on to express so many different things. I think that\u2019s the true charm of being a musumeyaku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano:<\/em> For example, in a period piece, of course there are the otokoyaku, but I think the musumeyaku have a very large role in establishing the setting of that era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayou:<\/em> That\u2019s right. Since we have a totally different outward appearance, with our hairstyle and gowns and such, that really intensifies the atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> Yes. Juria (Hanano), Saaya (Hatsuhime), and Kirari (Kayou), over the course of the shows you\u2019ve been in, you\u2019ve all been able to express your own best aspects to their fullest extent, and I really respect that. I hope to be able to express myself that way as well, like you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime:<\/em> Being a musumeyaku isn\u2019t just being in a dream world, but I think it\u2019s important to have a strong sense of self as well. Although one of the true charms of being a musumeyaku is to become a totally different self, but as a woman, thinking about these things every day is also a very nice environment. I\u2019m not very skilled, so I always consult with everyone else to figure out my wigs, and everyone teaches me so much, so I think I\u2019m only the person I am today because all the other Flower Troupe musumeyaku are there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayou:<\/em> I love how musumeyaku feel so splendid, like a box of jewels, so even before I joined the company I only had eyes for musumeyaku. Although personally, I\u2019m not very good at the detailed things, I still hope I can make myself into a splendid musumeyaku, while still being myself (laughs). Although I\u2019ve made it this far with my intense feeling of \u2018I love being a musumeyaku\u2019, I\u2019ve only really changed upon joining Flower Troupe, so recently I\u2019ve been really thinking that I\u2019m so happy to be a Flower Troupe musumeyaku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano:<\/em> Like Kirari, I\u2019ve always loved musumeyaku. In period pieces, in order to be as accurate to the historical era as possible, I\u2019ll research in western books, and make accessories to go with my costumes, and think about how to arrange my wigs. I also find it really fun to think about how I can best get into character during my scenes. And of course I consider how to best balance the otokoyaku I will be next to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> That\u2019s right. I\u2019ll think about her height or looks, or if there\u2019s a way I can do my wig that she seems to like. After all, I want her to think that I\u2019m cute, of course. Only thinking about what appeals to me is no good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano: <\/em>For example, in a show, the feeling is totally different between a scene where an otokoyaku is dancing at centre stage and the musumeyaku are dancing behind her, and a scene where musumeyaku are dancing alone. It\u2019s only natural to be totally focused on the otokoyaku in those scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> Yes. And if we do that, then I think that otokoyaku will look even more wonderful, and the musumeyaku will also look even lovelier. Whether it\u2019s a scene with just the one otokoyaku, or a scene where everyone is there, or a scene where we\u2019re dancing together, if I\u2019m deliberately conscious of how wonderful that otokoyaku is, it really brings everything to a higher level, and I think it creates a real synergy between us. I feel like all of us do that by nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime:<\/em> Even if we\u2019re doing an independent rehearsal together, it\u2019s not as if anyone is saying something like \u2018and then let\u2019s all of us musumeyaku make this face\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> Right, right, nobody\u2019s saying anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime:<\/em> I love how there\u2019s just that gentle atmosphere of being a Flower Troupe musumeyaku, and how all of us will naturally achieve the same style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayou:<\/em> When the otokoyaku are watching a musumeyaku only number, they will often tell us \u2018your teamwork is so good!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> Yes. And then having the otokoyaku tell us that makes us think \u2018let\u2019s work even harder\u2019 – that\u2019s part of the synergy too (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Casually carrying on traditions<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> Sometimes we\u2019ll all go out to eat together, but when we\u2019re away from the stage\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime:<\/em> Passionately talking about what it\u2019s like to be a musumeyaku\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano, Kayou: <\/em>That doesn\u2019t happen at all! (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> We\u2019ll talk about tasty food and comedy shows and such (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime:<\/em> We\u2019ll talk about curry and things like that (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura, Hanano, Kayou:<\/em> (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayou: <\/em>I feel like a lot of the time, musumeyaku are rather \u2018mannish\u2019 sorts somehow (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> That\u2019s true, I think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano: <\/em>We\u2019re not totally meek or anything (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime:<\/em> We\u2019re pretty open and easy-going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayou:<\/em> But once we set foot on stage, we\u2019re totally ladylike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime:<\/em> Switching back and forth like that might be part of the fun of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano:<\/em> Maybe. Onstage, although we\u2019re not walking three steps behind the otokoyaku, rather than being right next to them, the ideal is to always be just one step behind so you can gaze at them from behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura, Hatsuhime, Kayou:<\/em> That\u2019s right\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hatsuhime: <\/em>Flower Troupe musumeyaku are like the ladies of the wonderful olden days (laughs). Doing that is just a matter of course, and another aspect of the troupe is how the otokoyaku will be like \u2018come along with me~\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayou:<\/em> I think existing in that sort of atmosphere feels very comfortable. We get that way very naturally, and the otokoyaku are also very gallant in attitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> Yes. If we take a step back, it makes it look as if the otokoyaku is walking a bit ahead. In rehearsals, too, if the otokoyaku says \u2018I\u2019m going to do this,\u2019 I\u2019ll try to match myself to what she is doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano:<\/em> It\u2019s not a situation where the musumeyaku will take the initiative to say \u2018could you do this, please\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kayou:<\/em> If we were talking about a modern corporation, it seems as if the women are starting to be the ones walking ahead, but\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura, Hanano, Hatsuhime:<\/em> Yes, that\u2019s right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> While in the past, the musumeyaku would walk three paces behind, now maybe it\u2019s more like two. Of course it\u2019s good to fit the times, but I think that old-fashioned attitude is one of the good traits of Flower Trope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano:<\/em>\u00a0Through the generations, Flower Troupe has always seemed to have really splendid and lovely musumeyaku, and beautiful and mature onnayaku3<\/sup>. \u00a0We\u2019ve always looked up to them and I think what we learned from them has had a really big effect on us. Now that we\u2019ve become senior actresses, I think it\u2019s important that we make sure the junior actresses can learn what we did by watching us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sakura:<\/em> I hope they do. It feels like it\u2019s not something you can really demonstrate or explain. Therefore, I hope that everything we thought was lovely that was passed down to us, we will now to express in everything we do, so that the traditions can be passed on. I really enjoy being a Flower Troupe musumeyaku, but it\u2019s also something I\u2019m very proud of. \u2026Maybe that was too serious (laughs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanano, Hatsuhime, Kayou:\u00a0<\/em>That was amazing! (laughs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 –\u00a0One of the official translations of the motto of Takarazuka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 – A 17th-18th century Japanese woodblock style, in which portrayals of beautiful women were a common subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 – Onnayaku is a slightly vague term with multiple meanings. When otokoyaku play female roles, this is referred to as onnayaku, but it seems to also have the meaning of more senior and mature musumeyaku performers, as in this context.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this talk feature, several Flower Troupe members discuss in detail the philosophy of being a musumeyaku. It was published in the November 2011 issue of\u00a0GRAPH.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[30],"tags":[13,360,244,73,237,277,276,278],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/936"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=936"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/936\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":937,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/936\/revisions\/937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=936"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=936"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zukalations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=936"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}