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. 120% Darling has around 24 chapters, and I plan to post one every Friday.
It\u2019s a really lovely book, that ended up making me cry many times. I hope you enjoy it!
For a table of contents with links to all the chapters,\u00a0go here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Once again: I LOVE TAKARAZUKA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On November 24th of the 4th year of the Heisei era, I reached the final performance of my last show in the Takarazuka Grand Theatre, The 47 Ronin: Fall with the Snow, Fall with the Flowers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But at the same time, that was also the final day of operation of the old Takarazuka Grand Theatre, that I thought of as \u2018My Home!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Takarazuka Grand Theatre\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n From its construction in July of the 13th year of the Showa era, up to its final days, it stood for 68 years!! That stage that raised us Takarasiennes and fostered the dreams of audience members, that theatre that was always kindly and warmly there for us\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Passed away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To state it clearly, the building that was the \u2018former\u2019 Takarazuka Grand Theatre, is gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The new Takarazuka Grand Theatre held its opening production in January of the 5th year of the Heisei era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, it\u2019s not as if \u2018The Takarazuka Grand Theatre\u2019 is gone or anything, but\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actually,<\/p>\n\n\n\n We held many special memorial events for the \u2018Grand Theatre Finale\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The one that most moved me occurred during the Snow Troupe performance, on the 7th and 8th of November in the 4th year of the Heisei era: Takarazuka Grand Theatre Farewell Event – Adieu Grand Theatre: \u2018Takarazuka – Our Hearts\u2019 Home!!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the performance guide, they said: \u201cA big event to bid farewell to the current Takarazuka Grand Theatre, which ends its life as the home of the Takarazuka Revue at the end of the 4th year of the Heisei era.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, really.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No joke, it was really big!! Big!! Big!! Super big!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTakarazuka is such an amazing place,\u201d I felt, to the point my body was tingling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was a 3-hour special concert taking place after the main show ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, we performed to a full house. (As usual, I\u2019m so, so thankful!!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n A huge number of big stars who had been \u2018born\u2019 in the former Grand Theatre, as well as all of us current students, sang and danced and acted: it was a show that really conveyed to the world, \u2018This is Takarazuka!!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wah~<\/p>\n\n\n\n This was so stirring to me, that I actually can\u2019t even hold my pen calmly to write about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the dressing room, it was so, so, so, so amazing, that even if I ran around 100 times I wouldn\u2019t have tired of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everywhere, stars, stars, stars, stars!! !! !! !!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the graduated performers appearing, the most senior was Ashihara Kuniko.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most senior of the current students was Kasugano Yachiyo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And what made me so happy is that all the previous Top Stars of Snow Troupe were gathered\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maho Shibuki1<\/sup>, Migiwa Natsuko, Asami Rei, Taira Michi. And then, there was Mori Keaki!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, there were so many other stars who I had known when they were current performers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Haruna Yuri, Ootori Ran, Anna Jun, Setouchi Miya, Matsu Akira, Jun Mitsuki, Takashio Tomoe, Mine Saori, Daichi Mao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, Fukamidori Natsuyo, Yodo Kahoru, Asadori Chiho, Kamo Sakura, Kouzuki Noboru, Furusato Akemi, Minamikaze Youko, Nachi Wataru, Uchinoe Noboru, Yashioji Mari, Koshiro Miyako, Hatsukaze Jun, Uehara Mari, Kotobuki Hizuru, Kuroki Hitomi. There were so many others, but I can\u2019t write them all\u2026 I\u2019m sorry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was so amazing, amazing, amazing; saying it 100 times wouldn\u2019t be enough. Right!?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The variety, the breadth, of Takarazuka is something to be proud of in all of Japan, no, all of the world!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You see, the members of this cast were only \u2018some of the graduated students who were able to appear\u2019, among those who didn\u2019t have \u2018miscellaneous schedule conflicts\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, in that way, so many stars came back to their \u2018hearts\u2019 home\u2019, the stage of the Takarazuka Grand Theatre, and their singing and dancing was so cool!! Of course!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, what made me so happy that I thought I could cry, was that among all those members, where all of them were senior students! In the culture of the Takarazuka hierarchy!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the dressing room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those stars, who were \u2018senior students\u2019 even among the senior students, were helping out those stars who had been \u2018junior students\u2019 at the time they were in Takarazuka together, with the costumes and makeup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though if we were onstage, among that group, Mori Keaki was just the youngest junior student, so if we were all to line up, I would have to be on the very end. I would be in the dark where the spotlight wouldn\u2019t reach!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n That feeling of \u2018Oh~ I\u2019m a junior student~\u201d made me really happy. It was very exciting. It made me feel that, in terms of the history of Takarazuka, \u201cI\u2019m right in the middle of things!\u201d I was so moved, and I thought \u201cYes. Since I made it into this theatre, I have to make sure even in the future that I\u2019m a person who can talk about that with pride.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also. This, this is really Takarazuka. Listen, listen!! (Ah! Read this, read this!!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the ending lineup, the curtain closed slowly from each side, and.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I watched out to make sure that the curtain wouldn\u2019t hit the head of Ootori Ran, who was standing next to me, and Ootori Ran watched out for Kashiro Sakura, who was next to her, and then Kashiro watched out for Maho Shibuki, who was next to her\u2026 continuing in that pattern, according to the vertical relationships, everyone helped out everyone else. Each person with kind, sparkling smiles\u2026 As if it was the most natural thing in the world\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was moved, so moved, super moved!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n This sort of thing, this lifelong, no, eternal, I think, continued attention to the hierarchical propriety, but not out of any grudging sense of obligation, is something I think you can only find in Takarazuka!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the first day, even though I was nervous, I did manage to talk a bit with the wonderfull senior student stars who were there. But just as I was thinking \u2018Ah, I can sort of talk to these stars I admire properly now\u2026\u2019 the Adieu Takarazuka Grand Theatre<\/em> event reached its conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Really\u2026 I wish it would have lasted a bit longer\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those senior students, and to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Takarazuka Grand Theatre was\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n The home of our youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although in these days, middle school and high school students might think it\u2019s a bit \u2018uncool\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But. It really was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My youth!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we were singing When the Violets Bloom<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of the senior students had tears streaming down their faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone\u2019s eyes\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gleamed brightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All we could see was the sparkling lights\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the lyrics came to everyone\u2019s lips perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And everyone wore a splendid smile\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is what it is to be a Takarasienne!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n It might be strange to say that I felt it in my soul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But, I felt like something just hit me in the face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMe too. I\u2019m a lifelong, eternal Takarasienne!!\u201d I cried in my heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I saw off my \u2018home\u2019\u2026the Takarazuka Grand Theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thank you, thank you, thank you, Takarazuka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll keep doing my best!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I stood in the spotlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Past that dazzling light were the faces of all the different people in the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I had always tried to see them before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For that \u2018Adieu~!\u2019 to the Grand Theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The \u2018feelings\u2019 of everyone who was there in that space that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Were somehow different from a normal performance, a really special sort of \u2018energy\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m so happy that I am able to be here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That Mori Keaki was able to be a student of the Takarazuka Revue is something I will always think of with heart-felt gratitude and honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That I was able to tasked with the final operation of the Takarazuka Grand Theatre, the stage that knew the smiles, sweat, and tears of countless Takarasiennes, and contained the dreams of exponentially more audience members, is something that stirs immense emotions in me even now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though I am leaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the reborn \u2018Takarazuka Grand Theatre\u2019,<\/p>\n\n\n\n the history of Takarazuka will continue, on and on and on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 80th year is already in sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kobayashi Ichizou established the New Takarazuka Onsen in the 44th year of the Meiji era. And in the 2nd year of the Heisei era, he created the Takarazuka Chorus in that hotsprings town, using a stage built in a municipal pool for their performances (looking back on it now, it was such an epochal event!!), then built the theatre, and in the 3rd year of the Taisho era the \u2018Takarazuka Girl\u2019s Operetta Troupe\u2019 was established. The 3rd year of the Taisho era would be 1914. Amazing!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you try thinking about 50 or 100 years into the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Normally you would feel \u2018Huh? I have no idea what\u2019s so far ahead~!\u2019 but.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That 100 years in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of Takarazuka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is only a bit more than the history that has already passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t you think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n And I, Mori Keaki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Was so, so, so, so (I sound like a cow now2<\/sup>) blessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To be assigned as the Top Star who would perform on the last day of that Grand Theatre\u2019s operations. And, even more so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was tasked with the \u2018stage christening\u2019 of the new Grand Theatre (I danced Takara Sanbansou<\/em>, choreographed by Master Dancer Hanayanagi Juraku, which had earlier been performed by Amatsu Otome).<\/p>\n\n\n\n And also, I was able to participate in the opening performance of the new Grand Theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I appeared as a guest in the Star Troupe performance, starting from the night before the opening performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How blessed was Mori Keaki to be in this position, in this situation\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, therefore\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is only one thing I can think now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since I was there at the end, and at the new beginning, I feel like I took all the souls that were absorbed by the theatre over its 68 years of operation into my heart and body, and conveyed them to the new theatre\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n To be honest, when the last days of the former Takarazuka Grand Theatre were approaching, it seemed to be very sad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Does it hurt\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you feel empty\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n I would often try to ask it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it seemed that I heard it saying,<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018I\u2019m just, just, so lonely!!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n But,<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we were performing Adieu, Grand Theatre<\/em>, it seemed to have a really happy smile. The Grand Theatre!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, I tried telling it\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018It\u2019s only as if you\u2019re having some makeup done\u2026well, a bit more, so a full makeover,\u2019 I said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Nothing will truly change.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018So, let\u2019s keep going on together!!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n And\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n On March 31st of the 5th year of the Heisei Era, Mori Keaki will graduate from Takarazuka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Full of pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fully aware of how blessed I was in my Takarazuka life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, keeping the same stage name, I will become an \u2018actress\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But, from now on,<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter what I am doing and where.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I will eternally be \u2018former Takarasienne\u2019, Mori Keaki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My time spent as otokoyaku Top Star.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The feathers, the disco balls, the shanshans from the finales (that\u2019s the prop everyone will hold during the finales in Takarazuka)\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ll never forget the world I lived in as a junior student, and as a senior student, up until my graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the moment, since I still have so much work, the feeling that \u2018I\u2019m retiring!\u2019 has actually vanished somewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing me, I\u2019m sure the day will come when I take a bit of time, and just be by myself for a bit, and at that moment, \u2018Ah\u2026\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve really\u2026quit Takarazuka\u2026\u201d I\u2019ll think. And I\u2019ll feel it very deeply\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n But whether that day is near or far,<\/p>\n\n\n\n And whether I want it to come or not,<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ll surely, always, be the same Mori Keaki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even into the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe you could check out this \u2018Mori Keaki\u2019 person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To be honest\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n I want you all watching over me\u2026 Hahahahaha!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You know, \u2018Takarazuka\u2019 supported me until now, and I\u2019m sure it will be the same from now on as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe\u2026even more!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In any case,<\/p>\n\n\n\n in conclusion,<\/p>\n\n\n\n from the bottom of my heart\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n I LOVE TAKARAZUKA!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 – Though the Top Star system officially solidified with Migiwa Natsuko’s tenure, Maho Shibuki is often counted in the lists of Snow Troupe Top Stars as her predecessor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 – She\u2019s joking about how this word sounds in Japanese.<\/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