20代。 ドラマ好き。 アイドル好き。 宝塚に夢中。主に雪担。トリデンテ伝道師。 ちぎみゆ溺愛。有沙瞳❤。Music Junkie. Geek. One million fandoms falling hard on my pocket. Thinks too much for her own good.
I got tickets to Delight Holiday. I’ve been trying to google how to get to Maihama Amphitheater and while I did get some advise on what train to take and which station to drop off on, there’s one question that I didn’t get answered.
Maihama Amphitheater is in Tokyo Disney Resort. Do I need to buy entry tickets to the resort in order to access the theater? Or is it situated outside the resort, so that we can just walk in?
From what I understand, it’s inside the resort, but you can access it without a ticket to the resort itself through the Ikspiari shopping mall and Disney Ambassador Hotel’s Annex Parking.
There is a map here, from the Amphitheater’s official site.
This facebook post also details how to get there, with photos. (in japanese, if something is not clear I’d be happy to help)
Entry tickets to Tokyo Disney are not cheap, so it’s wise to consider the above option. If you’d rather go through the resort, Tokyo Disney Sea is the closest park to the Amphitheatre (for the record, Disneyland and Disney Sea are separate parks with separate admission tickets)
Streaming tomorrow, Sunday 30th of September, 21:00 EEST time, Snow Troupe’s nihonmono masterpiece, One Night of Stars. Now with English subs for the ultimate Hoshiai and cry experience!
Check the trello card or HERE for time conversion.
Channel will be: rabb.it/chemicals
Chatting is optional, bringing friends recommended, bringing tissues or towels to cry into is essential
Streaming tomorrow, Sunday 30th of September, 21:00 EEST time, Snow Troupe’s nihonmono masterpiece, One Night of Stars. Now with English subs for the ultimate Hoshiai and cry experience!
Check the trello card or HERE for time conversion.
Channel will be: rabb.it/chemicals
Chatting is optional, bringing friends recommended, bringing tissues or towels to cry into is essential
Our first stream for our newest release is a go! Snow Troupe’s “Nijinsky - The Miraculous God of Dance” will be streamed on Saturday, 22/9 at 19:00 UTC+1 (check the trello card for accurate time conversions)
Channel will be rabb.it/chemicals
The version streamed will be the Nippon Seinenkan final performance (senshuuraku), so it recommended you stick around for the many, tearful curtain calls
Our first stream for our newest release is a go! Snow Troupe’s “Nijinsky - The Miraculous God of Dance” will be streamed on Saturday, 22/9 at 19:00 UTC+1 (check the trello card for accurate time conversions)
Channel will be rabb.it/chemicals
The version streamed will be the Nippon Seinenkan final performance (senshuuraku), so it recommended you stick around for the many, tearful curtain calls
Our first stream for our newest release is a go! Snow Troupe’s “Nijinsky - The Miraculous God of Dance” will be streamed on Saturday, 22/9 at 19:00 UTC+1 (check the trello card for accurate time conversions)
Channel will be rabb.it/chemicals
The version streamed will be the Nippon Seinenkan final performance (senshuuraku), so it recommended you stick around for the many, tearful curtain calls
Another year, another script release to celebrate Sagiri Seina’s birthday! This is also Zukalations’ tenth release, we are officially in the double digits!!
The show was translated and edited by @chemicalperfume with some valuable contribution by @suitsuite. Subtitles were done by @flibbityflob and proofreading by @chemicalperfume.
(Please note that due to past issues with rule violations, subtitles are no longer released.)
I have wanted to write a Yukigumi primer for some time, and have finally decided to bite the bullet. I won’t lie - my main intent in doing so is to spread the Yukigumi love ψ(｀∇´)ψ
The above notwithstanding, the primer will remain factual: it aims to show how Yukigumi is like in the past and how it got to the present moment. To distinguish between factual information and my personal opinions (as the latter would dilute the purpose of the primer), my two cents’ worth will be bulleted and not part of the para/sentence proper. What the primer will not do, nor be able to do, is to project the troupe’s future trajectory.
Finally, the primer is not meant to be exhaustive, and all corrections and comments are welcome :)
Part One: A Brief Intro to Yukigumi through Key Facts and Stats
1. Yukigumi is founded in 1924, three years after Hanagumi and Tsukigumi, to coincide with the opening of the Takarazuka Grand Theatre. It is the only troupe to share its anniversary year with the Takarazuka Company itself.
Yukigumi appears to have a certain affinity with the Takarazuka Grand Theatre: Hoshikage no Hito (1976) held the box-office record until the GT was renovated in 1992 to increase capacity; Chushingura (1992-93) was the last production staged. In 2017, Yukigumi made headlines as the first troupe with the most consecutive GT sell-outs, starting with Lupin III (2015).
Aaaand translation no. 3 of 3 is up! In this feature, she talks about memorable points etc in her so far career. Added visual references for everyone’s convenience.
-Stage makeup you were especially meticulous about
I usually draw my eyes round, as a musumeyaku should, but this role was of an adult woman who is hiding a secret or two, so I made a point of doing my eye makeup almond-shaped, and being extra conscious of how to use my gaze. I generally tend to be the haphazard type, but with this I learned the importance of taking the time to do your makeup carefully and with precision. Daigo-san, who retired with this performance, taught me a lot of things, not only about makeup, but also about gestures or how to wear a kimono, so I was full of wanting to carry her advice along, as much as possible.
-Favourite costume
“Gin Nikan” / Maho
Tsukishiro (Kanato)-san who played the lead in this play, also had the lead role at the first shinjin kouen I got to play the heroine; she is someone who helped me grow a lot with her strict but full of love guidance. Having the opportunity to stand next to someone like her in total pure white, I felt complete happiness, both as my character and as myself. I could really feel the warmth of all our co-performers watching over us all around, it was a truly memorable scene and costume for me.
-Role that left an impression on you
“The Count’s Daughter” / Anna
This was a very intense character who even attempted to take Corinne (Sakihi Miyu)’s life; at that time, well, I completely set aside the fact that I’m a musumeyaku *laughs*. During rehearsals, Ikuta (Hirokazu)-san, the director, or kumichou (Rika Masumi) would point out to me every day things such as “you’re still acting like a typical musumeyaku” or “anyone could do this much!” so I was struggling, but once I got on stage, I got the feeling that the role finally dawned upon me and became my own. For this play, I thought deeply about how to perform as an actress, rather than as a musumeyaku.
“Don Juan” / Elvira
This was an intense role too *laughs*. But with it, my wish of wanting to do a role that loves someone desperately, and my wish of wanting to act through singing were both fulfilled, so I think it will probably remain an unforgettable role to me, well into the future. I’ve always looked up to charming musumeyaku who are like baby’s breath flowers, so prior to this, there was a part of me that was always striving to tone down any striking traits, but now, my mentality changed a little bit… I saw that by clearly portraying the character’s individuality and letting myself shine, it will reflect even better on the otokoyaku too...From now on, no matter what role I play, I intend to keep this realisation in my heart and strive to become a wonderful musumeyaku.
-A scene from a revue that left an impression on you
“Greatest HITS!” / This is the World
On my last show before transferring troupes, I had the honour of dancing together with Nozo-sama (Nozomi Fuuto), whom I had been indebted to in many plays, so I was full of gratitude and happiness. During rehearsals, I even ended up crying… In other scenes, I also had the privilege of being paired together with people I had a lot of memories with. This is a revue I really love, every scene was memorable to me.
-A memorable hairstyle
“Caleb Hunt, Private Eye” / Pauline
I was performing with my own hair*, so every time, right before going on stage, I would curl my hair, exerting myself to maintain the waves and curls as much as possible. When I curled it, there were always some hairs that would stand on end, and when it’s blond, they stand out even more than usual. To fix that, I got a lot of advice from Ai (Sumire)-san and other upperclassmen, such as to keep them down with wax, or spray water on them immediately before going on stage, and went by trial and error. Thanks to this play, I came to be even more conscious of my everyday hair maintenance routine as well.
(*instead of wearing a wig, as musumeyaku most times do)
-Introduction of self-made items
The hair bun cup for the “Greatest HITS!” finale parade. My classmate, Houka Haruna, told me “since this is your last show with Snow Troupe, I’ll make you a part for the cup!” , and she made me the flowers bit. In the end, it ended up being the main feature *laughs*
Marie Grosholtz’s accessories from “The Scarlet Pimpernel”. I received this cameo brooch from Seo (Yuria)-san, who played my sweetheart, Armand, in the play, and turned it into a choker. In order for the cameo to stand out the most, I made the rest simple, mostly with lace. Also, since Marie is a costume and wig designer, I put flowers, pearls and beads all over my hair accessories, to express her attention to detail.
One Point Technique
Instead of using ready-made items as they are, I make a point to not go on stage just like that, but add something to it, in my own fashion. Even among dazzling stones, I add beads or pearls, for elegance and refinement. I am being mindful of not cutting corners, even for the especially detailed bits.
Part 2 of 3 of Arisa Hitomi’s birthday translations! An interview at a cafe feature.
-First off, your order please!
The seasonal fruits tart looks delicious, but I love caramel, so I think I’ll go with the caramel angel food cake! I haven’t really heard of it before, and the “No.1 in popularity” tag on the menu did it for me. *laughs* For drink... darjeeling tea, please, hot
-Do you take your tea straight?
Yes! In the past I couldn’t drink tea without sugar and milk, but recently, my palate became a little more grown-up *laughs* but I still don’t drink coffee, only coffee milk *laughs*
-Apparently, you’ve been several times to this cafe before
I have! I have had tea with my classmates a few times, and most recently, all of the Snow Troupe 98ths came here to have dinner together. We often get together with my classmates and go for a meal; this place has a very relaxed atmosphere so we all enjoyed ourselves.
-Your outfit today suits the shop’s mood very much, it has a very understated colour scheme
Usually I’m all white, black, pink! But since today we are in a cafe, I thought I’d match the atmosphere with some light hues. I also gave a loose knit a try, they’re quite fashionable lately *laughs*
-You are also wearing your hair down, much unlike your usual style
In the “Rurouni Kenshin” shinjin kouen, I have the role of Takani Megumi (main actress: Daigo Seshiru), so for the sake of rehearsals, I cut my bangs straight, letting my hair down and hoping I give off a more grown-up vibe. Today I woke up early and carefully curled my bangs and the ends of my hair, but as soon as I stepped out of the house, a strong gust of wind went “woosh!”... it all got dishevelled in a blink, ahaha *laughs*
[The caramel angel food cake and darjeeling are served]
Waaa, it looks so yummy! See, it’s really doesn’t look like a cake you can find anywhere! It comes with ice cream too, I’m so happy!
-Please, enjoy your cake
It’s moist but fluffy, with a discreet sweetness. The slight bitterness of the caramel really brings out the taste too! So delicious! I feel revitalised now!
-Do you like sweets?
I love them *laughs* Cakes are a given, but I especially love adzuki, japanese sweets! I love things like the Takarazuka City delicacy “Takara Monaka” or the “nagamochi” that’s very well-known in my home area, Mie Perfecture. Recently, I even consider the type of adzuki, my tastes have become even more eclectic like that *laughs*
-Your japanese sweets always come with hot green tea, as established?
No, actually, I have them with ice tea. *laughs* I don’t get restricted by “japanese should go with japanese” kind of rules!! ...let’s say *laughs*. Actually, I’m extremely sensitive to hot food and beverages, so much that even if it’s steaming slightly, I can’t consume it. As we speak right now, I’m waiting for my tea to cool off *laughs* I know cold beverages are not good for the body, so I’ve gradually come to drink hot ones as well, but I still like cold ones better.
-How do you usually spend your days off?
I don’t stay at home much. I start at around 10 in the morning, go for some body maintenance, like for a massage or chiropractic, and then go shopping. I love clothes and earrings. Once I decide “today is a shopping day” I waltz in and out of shops endlessly *laughs* Ah, even the necklace I’m wearing right now, I bought it recently; I found it when I was out looking for clothes for today’s interview, and it was love at first sight! It has a glitter flower, it’s so cute. I bought the matching earrings too.
-Where do you always go shopping?
For Kansai, I go to Umeda. I guess I often go shopping to Sannomiya Kitaguchi or Kobe too, but it feels a little bit too grown-up for me… I actually don’t really go for tea or lunch on my own. But I’m hearing Kobe has many wonderful restaurants one can go to alone, so in the near future… or maybe in the little more distant future… I’m thinking of giving it a try *laughs* I’d like to become a proper adult *laughs*
-How about once you return home?
I’m always watching Takarazuka DVDs. I especially like watching musumeyaku “music salon” performances, so I schedule them like “today I’m going to watch this person’s, tomorrow that person’s” *laughs*. I’ve always loved sweet and bright musumeyaku such as Ayano Kanami or Nono Sumika, and I often watch their performances, but in this show’s shinjin kouen, my role is Megumi, who is a graceful adult woman. So in order to expand my range, I am watching lots of Toono Asuka’s DVDs. Even when she is playing strong women who are on equal footing with the otokoyaku, she is elegant and complements the otokoyaku even more clearly, she is truly wonderful...It made me think “I want to become like that too!”
-Even on your day off you’re all about Takarazuka
That’s not good, I know. About 6 months ago, Souno (Haruto)-san advised me: “You should clearly distinguish your ON from your OFF time. If you don’t, you will only be able to act from a limited point of view”. Souno-san also suggested “why don’t you try meditation?”, and for a moment I didn’t understand her and answered “D-do you mean I lack dedication?”[1], she was really exasperated at me *laughs*. But I took her advice to heart. Before I go to bed I imagine that I’m rearranging everything inside my head in order, one by one, and when I wake up the next morning I’m much more refreshed! I learned that “letting steam off” is extremely important.
-Is there anything you are especially into these days?
I really love Disney princesses! They’re so lovely and dreamy! I also love music. “No music, no life” is my motto *laughs* When I wake up in the morning, I always put on some music. Outside of musicals, Disney and Ghibli music, I also listen to Amuro Namie etc. I generally either listen to music or watch Takarazuka, so when my classmates talk about the news, or current trends I’m often like “?”. “Miho (Arisa) that’s not good at all you know!” they tell me, and I do realize it myself that they’re right, so I make a point to check the news on my smartphone.
-If you had a long vacation, where would you like to go?
A trip abroad would be nice, but you know, I also really love the Ise Grand Shrine. It all started when I listened to a song called “Hikari no Michi with Shikinami”[2] that Ayano-san sang at the Ise Grand Shrine’s Uji Bridge Crossing Opening Ceremony[3]. The Ise Grand Shrine’s very characteristic, completely modest, fair and graceful atmosphere was all there, turned into lyrics; I was so moved. Every time I go back to Mie now, I always make sure to visit Ise. I’d also go to Kyoto. Snow Troupe puts on a lot of shows set in Japan, so I’d go shopping for accessories around Yasaka Shrine so often, I had a regular itinerary of shops *laughs*, but I really love it so much, I’d like to visit it again.
Notes:
[1] Souno said 瞑想 (meditation), Arisa understood 迷走 (straying off course, comprised of the kanji that mean “to be lost”, and “to run”) . Both are pronounced “meisou”. Direct translation of her answer is “I do intend to keep running even if I’m lost”, but for translation purposes, I went with something that rhymes with “meditation”
[2](trans.) “The Path of Light [link]
[3] 宇治橋渡始式 (“Ujibashi Watari Hajimeshiki”) The Uji Bridge stretches over the Isuzu River and is part of Ise Grand Shrine’s Inner Shrine. It is rebuilt every 20 years along with the Inner and Outer shrines as part of a Shinto tradition and belief in renewal and rebirth. When the new bridge is complete, this ceremony is held to pray for its sturdiness and open the rebuilt bridge.
August 4th is this lovely musumeyaku’s birthday! This is part 1 of 3 of celebratory translations. A very short, introductory feature from GRAPH when she was only ken3.
-First play you saw
I watched Cosmos Troupe’s “NEVER SAY GOODBYE” on DVD.
-Club you belonged to at school
I wanted to join the sports club, but I was no good with ball games, so I joined the track-and-field club, and did long-distance running
-Motive to take the TMS exam
My heart was stolen by the dazzling, lovely musumeyaku and I felt I wanted to shine on that stage too, on the side that gives the audience excitement and emotions
-A memory from your hatsubutai
During the opening speeches, when the curtain rose for the first time, the applause from audience was so very warm, I still remember how blissful I felt.
-A role that left an impression on you
The role of Matsu (main actress: Manaka Ayu) that I had the honour of performing for the “Maeda Keiji” shinjin kouen gave me the opportunity to study how to portray the dignified beauty of an adult woman, without appearing stronger than Keiji, the protagonist, so it was a very precious role to me.
-An upperclassman you look up to
Nono Sumika for her exquisite acting spirit, Ayano Kanami for her always smiling face that made everyone in the audience feel bliss, and her angelic singing voice; I respect them from the bottom of my heart.
-Your dream as a stage actress
I will work my hardest so that I can become a wonderful Takarazuka musumeyaku who lights up the stage with her presence, and compliments the otokoyaku just by standing next to them, and strive to grow every day, always keeping an honest heart, never forgetting to be grateful.
-Profile-*
Hatsubutai: “Brilliant Days/Climax” (Cosmos Troupe, 2012)
Nickname: Kuracchi, Hitomi
Birthday: August 4th
Hometown: Suzuka City, Mie Perfecture
Blood Type: O
Currently into: going around shops for cute hair ornaments and accessories
Secret Splendour program - Interview with Sagiri Seina
After a very long spell of (ridiculously busy, behind the scenes) radio silence, here is a translation \o/
Edited by me, I am posting this on behalf of a wonderful contributor, who prefers to remain anonymous, to whom I also owe a huge apology for taking forever and a day to get around to it. orz
Some of Chigi’s fresh post-graduation thoughts, as she was about to venture on her -thus far amazing- journey as an OG.
Enjoy~
3 months have passed since you graduated from the Takarazuka Revue Company. Looking back, what memories do you have from that day?
It is a distant memory. Like it happened to someone else. Maybe…because I’m now deeply focused on creating a show. The day after graduation, I had to pack up to move. I had lots to do, and I felt that if I “switched off” I would end up taking too much rest so I just kept moving while feeling fulfilled and satisfied.
You strongly felt you had to keep moving forward. What new and fresh things have you done after graduation?
Until now, because I have hardly gone outside in the daytime, I was surprised to see so many people walking in the city every day, even though it’s so hot outside. The first feminine item I got was a parasol, because the sunlight was so intense, I felt I need to get one, so I did. That is probably the biggest change for me (laughs). It was refreshing to spend 24 hours as I liked in ways other than practicing and performing .
It wasn’t long enough to count as a “recharging period” but how did you spend it?
Actually, I was unexpectedly extremely afraid of starting rehearsals (for this show). It seemed the song “kittokuru”* drifted into my head everyday (laughs). I felt, “waaa … what should I do?”. At some point, I analysed myself – why I was this worried. When I was a Takarazuka otokoyaku, I enjoyed imagining what I would do if I had time off. But now, as I continue as a performer, I thought, how do I pass the time, what kind of person should I be during my time off. I was lost puzzling over these things and it felt like this is all I kept thinking about these 2 months.
This was an important time for you, was it not?
I felt bewildered until the first day of rehearsals when the entire cast got together, but since practice actually started, I had something to do again and I could see the path to creating the show’s world view. I had to memorize a lot of things, but I was relieved because there was still a place where my heart could belong. I had more fun after I started communicating with everyone (members of the production).
How did you feel when you heard about the show structure from Ogita-san?**
I heard about the show format 2 days after graduation but I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. However, rather than doing the things I wanted, I felt I should go with whatever aspects of myself he thinks it would be better to highlight in this show that has me as main material. I never liked saying “NO”in the first place. And yet, I am also cautious and timid, so I have to pluck up an enormous amount of courage to plunge into something. But, I think, to always be the same, never changing, is even more frightening, and I want to keep discovering new things about myself.
There are many different types of scenes in this show. How did you feel about it as rehearsals progress?
I think the old me would have panicked somewhat, been nervous and driven herself into a corner. It might be that I needed that in order to be an otokoyaku at the time. I realized this after graduating. Although it was my choice to do that, I was aware I couldn’t continue forever in this mindset. A part of me always felt that.
Does this mean you will not push too hard and accept reality?
Yes. A long time ago, even if there was a high wall or hard rock in front of me, I would go straight at it – believing it was the right thing to do. But now I would do something like think of how to make a detour or try to bring a ladder. Having this attitude, I may be the calmest I’ve ever been these past few years. Although I’m trying to reassure myself every day like, “Don’t worry, It will be ok”. Now, I try to believe it and put it into practice.
During this time of significant transition, what insights have you had?
I came to feel that otokoyaku only works inside the Takarazuka Revue, otokoyaku is unnecessary when there are also men in the rehearsal room. Nonetheless, I am now neither man nor woman, so there are also strange scenes (laughs). It is also my first time dancing with men and being lifted, so I am seeing a completely different view. While accepting the various changes, I will push on with rehearsals so I can get used to it all, step by step.
Now, aside from this program, you will be releasing your first visual photobook after graduation.***
I think this is a mood I won’t be able to express in a year or two. That is why I am grateful to be able to capture the mood just after graduating from Takarazuka and preserve it in a photobook.
How do you want to be, from now on?
I always ask myself, “What should I do, how should I proceed”. I’ve asked myself this for years, not just since I graduated from Takarazuka, but since I was an underclassman. From now on as well, no matter where I am, this will probably not change. I want to challenge myself while hopefully making everyone happy, without setting limits on myself, only expecting more from myself. Going forward, as I live up to and betray expectations, I will go on living as myself (laughs).
* kittokuru – It will surely come – a song from the Ring Trilogy horror movies
**Ogita Kouichi, ex-Takarazuka director, he was in charge of directing “Secret Splendour”
***the photobook in question was part of the “Secret Splendour” concert merchandise
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