Dream Conversation 1997 - Kuze Seika and Hanafusa Mari
This cute conversation, featuring stories about Hanafusa’s admiration for Kuze during her hatsubutai days and anecdotes from events they worked on together, was published in the March 1997 issue of Kageki. At the time, Kuze Seika was in the middle of her final show as Top Star of Moon Troupe, and Hanafusa Mari was Top Musumeyaku of Snow Troupe.
Dream ♥️ Conversation 1997 - Kuze Seika and Hanafusa Mari Kuze: You gave me a gift and a note for the first time when you were in music school, didn’t you?
Hanafusa: Until then, I wasn’t really into Takarazuka. Some of my classmates would say things like they had been big fans of someone for a long time, but I didn’t have that kind of experience. One day, while we were still in the first year, one of my classmates watched Kuze-san's starring performance, BLUFF, and came back saying it was incredible! She was raving about it in the dormitory bath that night. That was just before the senshuuraku of BLUFF. She urged me, "You absolutely must see it", so I went to watch it. That was the beginning.
Kuze: Was it your downfall? (laughs)
Hanafusa: After that, I completely fell in love with you, Kuze-san! I had never been interested in becoming someone’s fan before, so my classmates were surprised by how much I had changed and began supporting me wholeheartedly. They encouraged me, saying things like, “The raku is soon, you should send her a gift” or “Write her a letter”. With their help, we went together to buy a gift for you.
Kuze: Since you used your real name, I thought you were an otokoyaku. Then, Ton-chan (Murasaki) looked at the name and said, "I think that’s a really cute girl". I thought, "Huh, interesting". Then, you came to our troupe for your hatsubutai.
Hanafusa: That’s not quite right, at the culture festival, I received a gift from Kuze-san.
Kuze: Oh, right, that’s true. (laughs)
Hanafusa: I remember it clearly. After a performance, I came back feeling hot and thirsty, grabbed a juice box, and started sipping it without knowing who it was from. Then I wondered whose it was—and it turned out to be from you, Kuze-san! I screamed, “Look, look! Ku—Ku—Kuze-san gave me this!” It was such an unexpected and delightful surprise, and my classmates celebrated with me.
Kuze: (laughs)
Hanafusa: My hatsubutai was with the Moon Troupe. On the shuugoubi, it was the underclassmen’ responsibility to organize and hand over the fan letters that had accumulated during the break to the upperclassmen. I really want to be the one to deliver Kuze-san’s letters! Everyone knew it, so they handed me Kuze-san’s letters and said "Dai-chan (Hanafusa), take these to her!” I remember that moment so clearly. When I entered the rehearsal room, you were wearing a black leather coat and sitting in the farthest corner. The distance to your seat felt so far, and as I carried the letters, I kept muttering to myself, “Will she notice me? No, she won’t recognize me…” Murasaki Tomo-san was nearby and pointed me out, saying, “This is the girl.” You smiled and said, “Thank you, as always.” That moment is still vivid in my memory.
Kuze: During your hatsubutai performance, I still remember how you always stood there, slightly tilting your head and smiling brightly. I’m the type who isn’t very sociable with underclassmen. When they offered to help, I would usually say, "It’s fine, I can manage on my own." But Hana-chan (Hanafusa) would smile cheerfully and say, "I want to do it, so I will!" You were the kind of person who tore through my shell and broke down my walls.
Hanafusa: Did I really?
Kuze: Yes, eventually, I got used to it. You never overstepped and always helped in just the right way, striking the perfect balance. In the end, I think I ended up relying on you.
Hanafusa: After the performance, I would always wait, wondering when Kuze-san might call for me. When I heard “Dai-chan!” from afar, it made me so happy. While most people find their hatsubutai nerve-wracking and full of first-time challenges, I just found it incredibly fun.
Kuze: After we were in different troupes, there were times we stood next to each other during the TMP Music Festival finale parade. And when I guest-starred in the Snow Troupe as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind, we had a brief interaction during the party scene. Then, when we worked together on the radio program "Onatsu Seijuro", I realized just how earnest and dedicated Hana-chan really is. I’m serious too, but sometimes I get a bit shy and joke around to lighten the mood. But Hana-chan was so focused that you'd laugh nervously and say, “Please stop!” while adjusting your voice. That’s when I thought, “Hanafusa Mari is truly such a serious person.”
Hanafusa: I was so nervous back then. Even last year, when we performed Eternal Tale together during the TCA Special, I was incredibly nervous.
Kuze: I’m glad we got to do it together. The radio work was fun, but after so many years, Hana-chan had become a Top Musumeyaku and built your own career, and I had done various things in my own way, collaborating again with someone I rarely get to work with was truly a great experience.
Hanafusa: On the first day of rehearsal, I was so nervous, wondering, “What will she think of me?" "What if she thinks I’m terrible?” But performing alongside Kuze-san, the person I had admired since my debut, felt truly surreal and deeply moving. Lately, I haven’t had many opportunities to watch Kuze-san’s performances…
Kuze: Whenever you come to watch, you always greet me with a radiant smile, saying, “I’m here to watch today!” In those moments, you look so carefree and pure, just like you were in your hatsubutai days.
Hanafusa: In front of Kuze-san, I feel like I go back to being my hatsubutai self.
Kuze: But even back then, you had a strong sense of self. You weren’t just smiling, there was a quiet, steadfast strength in you, almost a kind of independence. You also had such elegance. Roles like Elisabeth were truly a perfect fit for you. I also loved your performance as Natasha in Natasha of the Rainbow. Watching you in the furisode kimono, darting energetically, was like watching a puppy wagging its tail in excitement—it was absolutely adorable.
Hanafusa: I feel like I’ve relaxed a bit since those days. Back then, I was always so desperate, thinking, “I can’t do it, so I have to push myself even harder,” and I would get completely absorbed in the role. I couldn’t let go of the tension at all. But then, I got to play Natasha, a character with a completely opposite image to Elisabeth, and before I knew it, I even found myself laughing backstage.
Kuze: Before Natasha, you didn’t even have time to smile, did you?
Hanafusa: Even when I smiled, I would immediately switch back to being serious. But with Natasha, it felt like I could step on stage while still smiling backstage. Since then, people around me have started saying that my expression seems to have softened.
Kuze: Changes like that are often something the people around you notice first, like, “Oh, something’s different!” And when that happens, it might unknowingly make things easier for those around you as well, which is a good thing. In Takarazuka, when the onnayaku is strong, it makes the otokoyaku shine too. When a onnayaku has a strong core, it makes the stage much more engaging. Hana-chan, you’re like that, and so is Yuuko (Kazahana)—both of you have a solid presence as musumeyaku. Working with people like that makes things easier for otokoyaku as well. I think the changes in you are wonderful, Hana-chan. When you’re in that state, I think you’ll be able to enjoy whatever comes your way.
Hanafusa: Is that so? Today, I had the chance to watch Kuze-san's farewell performance, and as I watched, I couldn’t help but think how amazing your slicked-back hairstyle still looks. Please don’t think I’m weird for saying this! I love Kuze-san's warm singing voice and the way you deliver your lines—I love everything about you—but my very first admiration was for your slicked-back hairstyle. That hasn’t changed since my days at music school, and I realized that again today. Knowing that Kuze-san is retiring makes me feel truly sad. You were my first inspiration and have always been extraordinary presence to me.
Kuze: Hana-chan, I’m sure you believe that the one you’re working with now are the best, but the feelings you had during your hatsubutai are something entirely different, aren’t they?
Hanafusa: Yes, in front of you, Kuze-san, I always become my younger self again. You’ve been watching over me since I was a ken-1 student.
Kuze: It really is such a mysterious bond, isn’t it? We don’t see each other often, but when we do run into each other somewhere, we suddenly start talking about roles or dive into a lively conversation. Hana-chan, you’ve always been the type to break right through my shell and come in so openly, which made you stand out to me as someone special. There’s just something about you that lingers in my mind—when I happen to see you, I find myself wondering, “Is she doing well?” As a performer, your natural talent is undeniable, but you also have a kind of presence that feels like the gods are always smiling down on you. Stay the earnest Hana-chan you are now, but also find ways to enjoy life to its fullest. Keep doing your best and stay healthy!
Hanafusa: Since my ken-1 year, our relationship hasn’t changed, and even now, being able to talk like this makes me feel so happy. I love Kuze-san’s performances, and of course, I want to keep seeing you on stage. But I also love the real, unguarded Kuze-san, so the thought of us drifting apart feels lonely and regretful. Please promise me we’ll meet again even after you retire!
Kuze: Alright, let’s stay close even after I retire. (laughs)
Aww, I didn't know Hanafusa was such a Non-fan! Thank you for translating and sharing!
