Original interview here.
“Kuzariana no Tsubasa,” the most recent work in the drama series “Chikyu Gorgeous” supervised by Kishitani Goro & Terawaki Yasufumi, will be performed at the Akasaka ACT Theater starting on January 8, 2014.
Approaching their 20th anniversary, these two are extremely popular for creating singing, dance, and laughter-filled entertainment, and in this performance Kozuki Wataru will be making a guest appearance. The setting is a fictional country called Jameria which is bound by 4 social classes, and in this large-scale production that illustrates the pictures of various people desperately living in defiance of each of their fates, the brilliant popular talents Nakamura Masatoshi, Kazama Shunsuke, Yamamoto Yusuke, Miyazawa Sae (SNH48), and Satou Eriko in addition to Kozuki will all appear together. Prior to this performance, we asked Kozuki, a huge fan of Chikyu Gorgeous since her Takarazuka days, to discuss her feelings about “Kuzariana no Tsubasa” and the 100th anniversary of Takarazuka.
Chikyu Gorgeous, Thrust at the Origin of Entertainment
—Kozuki-san, you’re well known for being a fan of Chikyu Gorgeous, and during the press conference you talked about it passionately.
I got ridiculously excited (haha). I was told to conduct myself exuberantly at the press conference, but truly from the moment I stepped out under the lights and music, I was able to talk passionately (haha).
—I want you to talk about the magnificence of Chikyu Gorgeous one more time.
Singing, dancing, drama, fighting, tears, laughter… it condenses the entire true charm of theater into its world, and I think it’s the ultimate form of entertainment. Kishitani (Goro)-san also talked about this, but there are themes concerning these times that everyone has to think about, and as for me every time I finish watching it I get a sensation sort of like threads being unwound inside me. I think it’s the kind of entertainment that gives me courage, like I’ve advanced one level from where I was before.
—That seems like something you’d have encountered during your time in Takarazuka, right? Since you’re in a position to deliver your own hopes and dreams, it just feels a little bit surprising.
Precisely because I had the privilege of appearing on stage every day, I feel like I’ve been thrust before the origin of entertainment a second time. What I really want is to jolt the emotions of the people watching in this manner. Chikyu Gorgeous was the show that renewed my conviction that this is the road I should be progressing along.
—Including video recordings of past performances [of Chikyu Gorgeous] you’ve seen all of them, but which is your favorite?
For sure, “Claudia” (from 2004), the first one I saw live, left the biggest impression. The use of music by the Southern All Stars, and the appearance of the now deceased Minako Honda, still remain in my heart.
—This time for “Kuzariana no Tsubasa,” you play two parts, and there’s a little bit of a trick, isn’t there?
That’s right. But right now, that’s a secret (hehe), and there are also many other parts that I’m not allowed to talk about. Please look forward to going to see it (haha).
—According to Kishitani-san, you possess two kinds of appeal from your time in Takarazuka.
That is what he said. Kishitani-san is the sort of director who can draw out both the quintessential aspects of a person and the parts that he/she has never shown before, and since this time also it’s an original work that Kishitani-san was able to write, I think I ought to lay my heart bare and plunge in.
“Kuzariana” means “Rebirth” in Swahili
—Concerning the play’s story and your own characters, what sort of image are you keeping in mind?
I was wondering what the “Kuzariana” part of the title means, and it turns out its meaning is “rebirth” in Swahili. I think this is a relevant theme that Kishitani-san fell in love with, and while the characters are each dealing with various class struggles, they collectively grab hold of a new dream. Within this sort of human drama, I think there are a lot of parts you can sympathize with and a lot of elements that give you courage. In the story, I’ve been given the opportunity to play both a character of the second highest rank and also the lowest rank, but even though it’s the first time I’m playing two roles, I want to enjoy myself.
—Working with Kishitani-san and Terawaki-san, is there anything that has been particularly enjoyable?
With Kishitani-san writing, directing, and performing in the show, I think he’s given himself a difficult amount of responsibility. With him shouldering that much responsibility, by the time we arrive at opening day, I wonder what kind of study I’ll have been able to accumulate… I’d like to follow him very closely. Every time, I wonder how we’ll be able to become such a cohesive team. As someone who has also produced shows, I have all the more interest in that. As for Terawaki-san, how should I put it… he’s the sort of person that makes you feel relieved. The two of them are kind of like a married couple (haha), and I think Terawaki-san is the one who stands by in support and creates a calming atmosphere. But the sparkle in his eyes when things get serious is amazing, and I think I’d like to be beside and closely observe the Terawaki-san you can only see on stage. Moreover, my heart is filled with happiness at having the privilege to participate in the Kishitani/Terawaki-produced Chikyu Gorgeous series that has had reason to continue for 20 years, and I’d like to perform wholeheartedly.
—What about your co-stars?
There’s really been a fantastic atmosphere ever since the press conference. Nakamura Masatoshi-san talks to everyone extremely calmly, and when he greeted me for the first time I thought, ‘Wow, he talked to me!“ and I was overjoyed (haha). In spite of the fact that he’s such a big star, how should I put it… he’ll spring to lend a hand, or step back when necessary. The significance of the top-billed person being this way, I think it creates a very gentle atmosphere and an incredibly warm company. When I first saw Kazama Shunsuke-san in “Claudia,” he left a very stoic impression, he’s someone who has an absolutely incredible ability to concentrate on his performance, and I think he’s someone who definitely has the image of an actor. Since I have the privilege of working so closely with him this time, I feel honored! Yamamoto Yusuke-san, more than anything from watching him on TV I got the impression that he was “big-boned.” Although he plays a villain this time, his fresh face gives you the feeling that he’s got a heart. He’s someone with an extraordinary number of faces. Miyazawa Sae-san, as expected of an idol, is ridiculously cute! She’s straightforward and she shines with all her might. As for Satou Eriko-san, she has an air that’s exclusive to her. When I met her she was practically even more slender than I’d thought, and she’s a very feminine person. But, she’s someone whose conversation isn’t very flowery, and that gap is lovely. I’m truly happy that I’m able to take part in such a lovely company with so many different charms.
The Feeling of Wanting Everything Fostered over 25 Years to Come Out
–By the way, since the 100th Anniversary Ceremony for your old home Takarazuka is finally approaching, would you share your thoughts on that again right now?
In 2013, through performances like DREAM LADIES and DREAM, A DREAM, I had the privilege of performing in a lot of shows with OGs, and being able to spend time once again with all the fans who were looking forward to that, I thought, ah, this is true happiness. Since Takarazuka has continued for 100 years, the performers span an extensive period, but all of those people are linked together by Takarazuka, and just like that we become a single company. I think Takarazuka is really amazing in that way. Therein once again, as a graduate myself, more than ever, if I can’t perform activities that live up to the name of Takarazuka, my heart feels tense.
—As for one of those activities obviously you’re going to perform in your beloved Chikyu Gorgeous, but as the actress Kozuki Wataru, what do you want to become going forward?
2014 will be the 8th year since I left Takarazuka, and my 25th anniversary since my debut. Because they were consecutive years, I think that’s why I have the privilege of doing Chikyu Gorgeous, and why I’ve been able to give it my all on my own up until now. Everyone from the Takarazuka world who has been cheering me on, I’ve come to depend on them tremendously. Next year I’ll also be participating in in a performance called “Celebration 100! Takarazuka ~This Love is Eternal~” as well as the ceremony before that, so it’s with love and thanks in my heart that I’ll be participating. Right now first and foremost, approaching this Chikyu Gorgeous production, I’d like my maximum potential and everything I’ve fostered over the past 25 years to come out, and if I can do that I want to show a fresh Kozuki Wataru. What I mean is, right now with “Kuzariana no Tsubasa,” I want to strive to give it my best effort and work up a storm, and put my thankfulness for being able to perform into my performance.