Takemoto Yui x Tamura Hono Interview from RealSound (2nd March 2019)
In RealSound, weâve interviewed 2nd generation Takemoto Yui and Tamura Hono. Before theăOmitatekaiă, Takemoto and Tamura attracted attention when they performed ăAmbivalentăwith the 1st generation in last year'săUtaconă. We talked about the backstage situation in the same program where they performed for the first time, the reason for the both of them to aim to become an idol, their feelings during the audition and their goals as member of Keyakizaka46. ďźEditorial Departmentďź
I want to give someone else the same shock I felt when I watch Keyakizaka46 (Tamura)
ăźăźRegarding idols, around when was it that the two of you longed to become one?
Takemoto YuiďźFrom now, Takemotoďź: For me, it was when I became a fan of Keyakizaka46. It was around the 3rd year of middle school but before that I never really had such an interest in idols. Rather than joining theăSakamichi Joint Auditionăbecause I wanted to become an idol, itâs probably closer to that I joined the audition because I love Keyakizaka46.
ăźăźAh so it was like that.
Takemoto: I think a lot of people receive motivation from the debut single ăSilent Majorityăbut I came to like them through their next singleăSekai wa Ai Shika Naiă. Of course I knew of ăSilent Majorityăbut when I watched inăAKB48 SHOW!ătheir performance ofăSekai ni wa Ai Shika Naiăresonated with me. I like it so much that I had a habit of watching that video before going to school. From there I came to check out other programs and gradually became their fan.
Tamura HonoďźFrom now, TamuraďźFor me, my trigger was when I watched AKB when I was at elementary school. They were brightly shining. They were doing it with all their might. The feeling of them giving it their all got conveyed and just by looking at that made you energized. From there I've been supporting Nogizaka46 and Keyakizaka46 since their debut. The first time I saw the performance ofăSilent MajorityăinăMusic StationăI received an impact unlike any of the other idols I've seen before.
ăźăźThe thing that made you think to become an idol?
Tamura: I did like it but I actually didnât really think of being one. But during the audition for the 2nd generation of Hiragana (Now Hinatazaka46), my friend who likes idols too said âWhy donât you try to audition?â and so I applied just before the deadline. And then, I passed until the 2nd screening, the notification for the 3rd screening should have arrived but I only found it a day after the 3rd screening (bitter laugh). There was actually a callďźfrom the officeďź but it was a number that I didnât recognize so I didnât pick it up (laughs). And so I told myself, âYou really donât have any dream to become an idolâ
ăźăźFrom there why did you think to apply for theăSakamichi Joint Auditionă?
Tamura: Last year in spring there was a seminar forăSakamichi Joint Auditionă I knew that my Nogizaka46 oshimen Saito Asuka and Yoda Yuki will be there and that it will be limited to females and that I could meet them for free. I have no choice but to go right? (laughs) And so I went there casually, I was hesitant whether to I should continue to apply or not. But thinking that I want to give someone else the same shock I felt when I watch Keyakizaka46, the feeling of being cuddled by someone, I decided to do my best.
Keyakizaka46 is the the presence that changed me (Takemotoďź
ăźăźFor both of you, which part of Keyakizaka46 struck you?
Takemoto: When I hear idol I think of cute and beautiful but for Keyakizaka46, more than that there's a strong feeling ofăI want to convey this songă. I think in variety shows there's also a lot of idol-like and Kyun moments but in music programs, when I see Keyakizaka46, I feel like they give a lot of emphasis in relaying the song as an artist so I think that is where I got struck.
Tamura: It's the same as what Yui chan said, they're really a group that has a strong feelings ofăRelay the song, relay the lyricsă. Our senpais have also said it, it's not just about sayingăDo their bestăand cheer on someone, but with the song and lyrics that closely resembles that person's heart, they touch that dark part of a living person's heart. The idols up to now seem to hide that part of us but on other hand, Keyakizaka46 slowly reveals that part. I think thatâs it is what is âKeyakizaka46-likeâ.
ăźăźI see. What are your favorite songs, the one that resonated the most with yourselves now?
Takemoto: For me, my favorite song is ăMou Mori e Kaerou Ka?ă. Originally I'm drawn to roundabout lyrics but when I saw this during the mini live during my first National Handshake, the second chorus where they danced a lot gave me goosebumps. From then, I have always loved this song.
Tamura: For me, ăHiraishină. It may be the same with Yui chan but I also got goosebumps during the first time I saw ăHiraishinăin person during the mini live in the National Handshakes. Theyâve perfectly created their own worldview, it was as if it was a movie. The worldview of ăHiraishinăandăMou Mori e Kaerou Ka?ăis a bit similar, somewhat smokyâŚâŚDo you understand?
Takemoto: Yes
Tamura: They have an image of being engulfed by fog. I do think it is related to the impression on the MV but that kind of worldviewâs melody, lyrics and dance, I love all of it.
ăźăźWell then, it was during the first time you saw their performance in person during the National Handshakes, right?
Both: Yes
Takemoto: Before the members appeared, starting fromăOvertureă, even I myself got surprised by how much excitement I got. I couldnât believe I was able to show such expressions, having goosebumps and non-stop trembling. It was my first time to know such a side to myself so Keyakizaka46 is also the presence that changed me.
ăźăźTamura san as well, you were nodding a lot right?
Tamura: Yes. Because Keyakizaka46âsăOvertureăis the number 1 in the world. The part where the fans shoutăOhh, Ohh, Ohh, Ohh!ă, just by imagining it, I had goosebumps.
Takemoto: I had goosebumps talking about it just now. (laughs)
With the 2nd gens, no matter who you are with there is no sense of discomfortăA Comfortable RelationshipăďźTakemotoďź
ăźăźPlease let us hear about the audition period. While advancing step by step during the screening, what kind of motivation did you have to face it?
Tamura: Because I really love Keyakizaka46, of course I had a feeling ofăI want to be a memberăbut as the screenings progressed there was a sudden worry ofăOh my! What should I do?ă
Takemoto: I have been raised by my parents to ăproperly do your studiesă, but the reason that I came to apply for this is audition is because while the people around me had already decided on their course, I was not able to until the end. Then, I tried applying for the audition, as I progressed in the screenings, I worried,ăI have always tried my best in studying. If I pass like this, I wonder how my parents would think?ăBut, during the break I listened to Keyakizaka46âs songs so the more I listen to it I thought,ăIâll try a bit more, Iâll do my best a little bit more!!ăI changed my mind and proceeded until the end.
ăźăźEven then, your back got pushed by Keyakizaka46
Takemoto: Yes, thatâs true. The more I listen to their songs, it made me think that I really want to perform with this group.
ăźăźWell then, during the final screening what were your feelings when you passed?
Takemoto: Honestly, there really wasnât any emotion swelling up. I did think that it wasnât real but I also didnât feel that I was really happy about it. During that time, our affiliated group wasnât decided so maybe thatâs why there was no emotions that came out.
Tamura: I also didnât really know how it will beâŚ.. I still couldnât believe it. I think my head became blank and I was spacing out. (laughs)
Takemoto: Those who passed were to stand on the stage but I donât have any memory of it.
Tamura: There were a lot of people in front of us.
Takemoto: I do remember the MC talking and the lights flashingâŚâŚ
ăźăźSo for the two of you when was the time you finally realizedăI did pass! I'm really entering this world!ă?
Takemoto: Even now, I still canât believe it. Even now it still feels strange when I writeăKeyakizaka46âs Takemoto Yuiăbut ever since it has been decided that I will be in Keyakizaka46, I think I may have been able to sort out my feelings little by little.
Tamura: Yeah, thatâs true.
ăźăźWere the 2nd generation members able to become close right away?
Takemoto: It was quite fast right?
Tamura: Yes, since the affiliations were decided and we met each other we were already in high spirits going, ăYaaay!ăďźlaughsďź
Takemoto: Regarding our distance, no matter who we are with there is no sense of discomfort, you know. Itâs not that itâs fixed, everyone is there in their own pace. Everyone can be alone when they want to be alone. We donât mind who we go out with. Itâs an easy relationship.
Tamura: I think everyone thinks the same.
ăźăźBy age, the oldest and youngest is 7 years apart but you don't feel that gap.
Tamura: I think everyoneâs mental age is the same. (laughs) That is why, I will try my best to become an older sister.
Takemoto: The 20s group of the 2nd generationďźSeki Yumiko, Tamura, Matsudaira Rikoďźare light and fluffy while our youngest (Yamasaki Ten) is the one that crashes with the heaviest impactďźlaughsďźă
The first performance together with the 1st genăA day filed with tears because of their kindnessăďźTamuraďź
ăźăźThe 2nd generation had anăOmitatekaiă held in Nippon Budokanďź2018/12/10). Although before that both you performed with the 1st generation in ăUtaconăďźNHKďź2018/12/04 broadcast) Standing on the same stage with the people you admired, what kind of state of mind did you have?
Takemoto: I remember just now but, seriouslyâŚ
Tamura: Whenever I talk about this, it always makes me want to cry. (bitter smile)
Takemoto: During ăUtaconă, it was Hono chan, Matsuda Rina chan and I who got selected to perform. Since the day we got selected until after the broadcast was done, during that period I feel like I cried everyday.
Tamura: Yes, I cried the entire time.
Takemoto: If Iâm asked what kind of tears it was, the reason isâŚ. it definitely wasăIâm sorryăkind of feeling that was strong.
Tamura: Something likeăIâm sorry for entering hereă
Takemoto: I thought, with us entering here, wouldnât the current Keyakizaka46 be destroyed?
And it was immediately after the affiliations were announced, if I were to look at it from a fanâs perspective I would goăWho is that?ă. Because I know thatăAmbivalentăis a song that our senpais created with a lot of thought to it, I thought it would not be good to have something that seems out of place. That is what I feared the most. After the first lesson with had with the 1st gen san, everyoneâs tears wouldnât stop.
Tamura: It was not something like âthis part would be better like thisâ or something like that, but it was a problem with regard to presence. Wouldnât it be bad if I was here? Because we havenât even properly talked to the 1st gens, that makes it all the moreâŚ..
ăźăźBoth of you have strong feelings towards Keyakizaka46. You also understand the feelings of the fans. But I actually saw it on TV, there was no sense of you being out of place. Midway I noticed that the 2nd gens were also there. It was probably because I was overwhelmed by how high level it was.
Takemoto: Thank you very much. But the 1st gens talked with us a lot before the actual performance and we were probably able to relax a bit. Because we felt uneasy whether we will be accepted by the 1st gens or not so if they didnât talk to us I think we probably wouldnât have been able to perform at 100%. From the standby until before the song started, they continuously patted our backs.
Tamura: Without it, it probably would have been impossible.
Takemoto: That is why I think it really was all thanks to our senpais. The ones beside me was Nagahama Neru san and Sugai Yuuka san and at my back was Moriya Akane san. Everyone did that for me all throughout. It was really calming and Iâm grateful.
Tamura: For me as well, in the dressing room. Saito Fuyuka san and Uemura Rina san who were sitting from afar reached out to me and saidăCome sit hereă. From there, they asked meăWhat made you want to enter Keyakizaka46?ă. They took the initiative to talk to me, I cried a lot because of that kindness (laughs)
Takemoto: Before the actual performance, all the 2nd gen had to get their make up redone (laughs)
Tamura: But because of that we were able to perform while feeling,ăTheyâre so thoughtful of us so we definitely have to do our best!ăDuring the standby, Yonetani Nanami san who was next to me tapped my knee and said, ăLetâs do our best okay?ă. Nagahama Neru san also intentionally looked back and told me,ăLetâs do our best!ă. I thought,ăI definitely have to do this!ăAnd so after it was done, I cried a lot again (laughs). Then Moriya san went, ăStaff san, tissue please!ăand wiped my tears.
Takemoto: I got told,ăYouâve worked hard, right? Thank you!ăand then I cried again.ďźlaughs)
Tamura: It was a day where we cried because of their kindness.
There is no point if we donât take with us the experiences we had with the senpais (Takemoto)
ăźăźWith the experience fromăAmbivalentăas a cushion, you were able to have some leeway during the Omitatekai right?
Tamura: Yes. It was really fun! (laughs)
Takemoto: It was the first stage for the others. Everyone was so nervous that they seem like they were about to cry but the 3 of us were likeâŚ.
Both: ďźAt the same timeďźăOshaaaa!ăďźlaughsďź
ăźăźďźlaughsďź
Takemoto: When we heard the voices of the audience, we were like ăYosha, here it comes! letâs go!ăThe difference in the tension of the others was a lot (laughs)
Tamura: Because when we heard theăOvertureăthat was for usâŚâŚ
Takemoto: Thatâs right! I was really moved by itâŚâŚAh, Iâm having goosebumps again talking about it. (laughs)
ăźăźIt was the first time the new members did a performance. Isnât there a different feeling compared to performing with your senpais?
Takemoto: Yes, thatâs right. Our confidence were entirely different.
Tamura: Yes. The amount of practice as well.
Takemoto: Especially because we practiced for the Omitatekai 1 month before so the sense of excitement was strong.
Tamura: But during the rehearsals just before the Omitatekai, we got toldăThe previous performance was betteră,ăYour movements are slowă. It was really disappointing. The 3 of us who had experience in ăAmbivalentăshould have taken the initiative, but I regret that we werenât able to do anything.
Takemoto: It was unfortunate, right?
Tamura: And then we talked,ăFrom now, letâs speak out even moreă
Takemoto: We were able to experience various emotions from performingăAmbivalentă, but the members who werenât selected must have had a lot of worries. We were supposed to be the representatives after having those experiences, but if we were not able to take home with us the experience we had with the senpais then there was no meaning to it.
Tamrua: They told us that right? That we became a bit stronger?
Takemoto: Mentally, a little bit. (laughs)
ăźăźHaving that awareness, youâve become closer to becoming a full fledged member, right?
Tamura: But when we saw, ăKuroi Hitsujiăwe lost our confidence (bitter laugh)
Takemoto: Yeah, everyone did (bitter laugh)
WithăKuroi HitsujiăI got reminded again of how great Keyakizaka46 is.ďźTamuraďź
ăźăźJust asăKuroi Hitsujiăhas become a hot topic, itâs a bit sudden but can you let us know your impressions on the song?
Tamura: Itâs really difficult to put this song into words. I became quite pained as I watched the MV forăKuroi Hitsujiă. The songs up to now had an impression of being strong but this time we were shown weakness. But in the lyrics inăI definitely donât want to become a white sheepăYou could see a strength of being true to yourself.
ăźăźI see.
Tamura: But it was really hard to watch the MVâŚâŚI watched it with my mother but my mother cried a lot. She said,ăI wonder what is the meaning of these tears?ăFrom there, we talked a lot about the song. But for sure because it showed the the pain and hardships of their own experiences. Maybe that is why it was painful. On top of that, it was as if everyone was not acting. It was as if they were really feeling the sadness and pain of that personâŚ. The greatness of the 1st gen, the greatness of Keyakizaka46, I once again came to know it.
Takemoto: I, too, after I watched the MV one time, there was such a big suffering that entered my heart that made me waverăWhat should I doâŚâŚă. When I was watching, all the painful memories I had experienced seemed to have momentarily resurrected, you know. It was as Hono chan said, it was because the 1st gens didnât seem like they were acting. Having watched Keyakizaka46 up to now, I thought to myselfăI need to give importance to my expressionsăI thought I wanted to apply my expressions in the performances that I give but after watching that MV, I thought that's not the only thing.
ăźăźAnd what is that?
Takemoto: It wasn't just expressions, I think they were simply expressing the pain they've experienced this past 3 and half years as it is. I think that might be called as expression but for me, I think rather than an expression, it was just naturally shown. Seeing that I thought, from now I'll be experiencing a lot of things but during that time, if I show my emotion at that moment and even though I didn't think to express it, I'm sure it will be relayed. That's where my thoughts towards the group Keyakizaka46 changed. Also, isn't there a choreography where they are hugging and pushing each other? I don't know exactly the meaning of it. I wondered what that hug meant. I'm sure that each person will have a different opinion on what that hug means. My mother said she somehow knows what that hug meant so that is why, I want to know more of that meaning.
ăźăźAnd with that it's the Keyakizaka46-ness that calls out different kinds of emotions. Everyone from the 2nd gens haven't participated in the songs but you participated in theăKeyakizaka46 2nd generation members special videoăthat is in the Type D of this single.
Takemoto: Actually, I haven't seen the completed version yet. But the content have a lot of members talking with each other and member drawing out the another memberâs (personality), so it was quite easy to shoot .
Tamura: I still can't imagine how it will be but I'm looking forward to watching it.
ăźăźI think you will be experiencing a lot of things from now on but as a member of Keyakizaka46, how would you proceed? Please let us hear your goals.
Takemoto: When I got to performăAmbivalentăI became aware of the things that I lacked. I was able to see up close how the senpais thought about this song so I think of not just dancing but putting out something more from myself. My goal is not just adding expressions to my dance but actually being able showing what I really feel inside each time I perform.
Tamura: First off, as an idol I want to become someone who can be accepted as a member of Keyakizaka46. I think from now we will have a lot of kinds of work but I think if I have not yet perfected myself as a part of Keyakizaka46 then whatever I do it's not good. If I am able to do that from the start then I think maybe I can become a strength for Keyakizaka46.
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source (and more pictures!)
translated by ariadne32391
QC by tmi
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