Tamura Hono interview from B.L.T May 2022
"I don't give myself a passing grade, because that would be admitting that I’ve reached my limit."
In an interview just a year ago, after you said “If I am asked, I would like to stand in the center,” it became a reality with the 3rd single “Nagaredama.” I was hoping you could tell us how you’re making use of that experience?
Tamura: I think with this 3rd single, we may have been able to change our colors a bit and add a new complexion to the group.. I felt that it was a period where we were steadily getting more opportunities for people to get to know Sakurazaka46. In regards to the performance as center… before the filming of the music video, I talked with the director Ikeda Kazuma-san many times, and from that I could face the real thing after reaching my own understanding of how I was supposed to move. However, since I was aware I wasn’t the type of person who has a hidden madness by nature, I watched a variety of movies. Off the top of my head one movie I watched was “Thirst (The World of Kanako)” (2014), but I didn’t just watch Japanese movies, I watched foreign ones as well, while thinking in my own way about what it means to be crazy and wild. If “Nagaredama” was to become a work that would express what was inside of me, then I think I wouldn’t have ever seen any of them. I couldn’t picture it, so I feel like I borrowed a bit of strength from these works. Even so, having the opportunity to stand in the center was of course a great experience, but the way I handle the music and my thoughts toward the songs are always the same, regardless of position. That’s something that hasn’t changed.
I see. So, during the “BACKS LIVE!!” that was held at the beginning of the year, where both Onuma Akiho and Koike Minami each served as center for “Nagaredama” in those 2 days, what kind of thoughts did you have about this?
Tamura: I thought “so this their way of showing it.” Depending on the member, the way they perceive and approach a song will be different, and it’s not for me to decide what’s correct or not, so I was trying to think “I have my own ‘Nagaredama’.”
You did that intentionally so it wouldn’t shake your determination?
Tamura: That’s right. I thought I should take a step back, and try to look at it objectively.
Could that be interpreted as you becoming mentally tougher than you were before?
Tamura: I wonder about that…? Well, I’m doing my best, or how should I put it… perhaps there may have been moments that suggest I’m strong, but even if someone were to say something about me, I’ve never been very vulnerable to criticism from others in the first place, or at least that’s what I think (laughs). Rather, perhaps I’m the type that would instead criticize myself by saying “Ahh, this is no good.” But I try to interpret that as a way for me to grow, and aim to put effort into making it into a positive thing rather than just being depressed all the time.
You’re also an avid reader, so I wonder if you use books as food for the soul?
Tamura: There are times when I can’t think of anything by myself at all, or when I’m unable to quickly recover from a situation, in those cases I watch movies or read books in order to change my mood. Of course, the power of music and songs is also huge, so I receive energy from song lyrics too, and I also like to write and read compositions… After all, I feel that words are very important.
When did you start adopting that kind of culture?
Tamura: I wonder when it was? Since long ago, I can only remember being completely absorbed in volleyball and idols, so nowadays I’m expanding my horizons and I feel that I’ve become interested in a larger variety of things.
Do you feel like you are deliberately acquiring new knowledge or is it spontaneous?
Tamura: I always want to try new things, recently I’ve been having a strong desire to challenge things that no one else has done before, so I’ve been trying to search for hints of what that could be in various places. I also watch Youtube, TV shows and read magazines wondering if there’s anything I can obtain from it. I've been keeping myself open to new ideas in a very conscious way.
By the way Tamura-san, if you had to name one, what culture has impressed you most lately?
Tamura: I think it would be clothes…I’ve been always watching people like Kojima Haruna-san who has launched her own clothing brand since graduating from being an idol, and that’s given me a lot of motivation. I know that I can’t be an idol forever either, so I’ve been thinking little by little about what comes next in my life. However, I’m always putting all my efforts into benefitting the group, and I feel I can only move on after I feel I’ve done everything I can do in that regard; this is what I decided on my own, so in order to be able to move forward with the “now” without hesitating, I try to be conscious of “What can I do? What kind of things do I like?” and I spend my days keeping motivated by looking at people who give me the impression that there are wonderful things ahead.
Whenever I ask Morita Hikaru-san about her vision of the future, she always responds by saying “I’m not thinking about the future. The present is always the most important thing.” It seems that you have a different perspective, Tamura-san.
Tamura: I think I’m the type that sets an objective for the future, and works hard in order to get there. Especially when I become very busy, I’ll think “What was it that I’m working so hard for right now?” so because sometimes I lose track of this and that, I always try to make sure to have an objective in mind.
Do you think that you want to feel a result or actual sensation of yourself getting closer to those goals?
Tamura: Perhaps I just want to look forward to it. When I think about the future, I feel like “I hope it turns out like this, I want to do that.” I’m probably not suited to going about work in a vague way without a clear objective like that. I feel that I would end up becoming complacent. So maybe that’s why I’m always keeping a goal in mind.
Tamura-san, are you the type of person that diligently works hard on things? Or do you rush through things?
Tamura: Hmm… maybe, when I look around myself, even if there’s people who would tell me things like “You are shining brightly” or “You’re achieving your goals, and it seems you’re enjoying doing it,” I’m the type of person that is not convinced by that, so I would think “No no, not at all, there’s still more to come, I can’t be satisfied with just this.” Because of that, at this point in my life I haven’t really felt much of a sense of accomplishment. When I talk with my manager about this, she would say “Hono, you are very stoic” but I’ve never thought that of myself in that way at all.
Well, the more stoic the person is, the less aware of it they become (laughs). But, at what point do you give yourself a passing mark? Or at the very least an acceptable one?
Tamura: I never give myself a passing mark. But I don’t mean that in a negative way, it’s because I always want to be running towards something. If I were to give myself a passing mark, then it means there isn’t anything beyond that, and it also means I would be admitting I’ve reached my limit, right? I think that would be boring, I always want to be able to say greedily “I want it that way, I want it this way.” I want to be hungry for more, that way I won’t stop and say something like “Maybe this is enough.”
Somehow…I feel that you have become more reliable after all. You really have broadened your outlook on things, huh?
Tamura: In what way? Ah, but, until now… I wouldn’t think of the future, and instead frantically approached each moment with a “give it everything you’ve got” stance. I’ve felt that way from when I first joined Keyakizaka46 to when we had just changed the name to Sakurazaka. Thinking of that now, maybe I really have become more flexible with things. During my activities, if I’m not able to relax, then it also affects the people around me, so I always want to be the kind of person who has that flexibility and be conscious of that goal.
I think that’s wonderful. So, right now, in other words, it’s the 4th single’s period, do you consider this to be a critical moment?
Tamura: I think so. This whole year is extremely important. I get the sense that it’ll be a big year for us. Among everything, the timing of the release of “Samidare yo” was the real game changer.
I can feel that just by listening to the song.
Tamura: it’s been one challenge after another with each of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd singles, but particularly in the 3rd single “Nagaredama,” both the song and the music video had a great impact. Both the dancing and lyrics were aggressive, so maybe I felt some confidence in being able to convey the song if I worked hard on the expression. Then, in the next one, the title song has a relaxed melody, and that’s always a challenge for me. It’s strange to say, but because I can’t push through it with force, I feel like my power of expression is being tested in the most real sense. To be honest, I feel worried that “Can we reach a lot of people with our current abilities?” and precisely because of this, I think we have to deliver it properly. I feel very nervous and anxious but I want to work hard and do my best without being defeated.
What do you feel about how Yamasaki Ten-san looked as the center this time, Tamura-san?
Tamura: When Hii-chan (Morita Hikaru) stood up as the center during the most difficult period when the group just started its activities, when I had the opportunity to stand in the center for the 3rd single, and now with Ten-chan standing in the center, I think a way to describe Sakurazaka is “It’s not one person carrying all the responsibility, it’s everyone creating a work with the same feelings and resolution,” so I want to keep working hard without forgetting this. I think that doesn’t change regardless of who or where you are.
I understand. By the way Tamura-san, if you had to mention a member that has caught your attention recently, frankly speaking, who might that be?
Tamura: Eh, I wonder who? Hmm… ah, well that must be Ten-chan after all (Laughs). Since we became Sakurazaka, her presence has been continuously growing. She's also very skilled at dancing and I believe she understands how to present each song properly. That’s why I could keep watching Ten-chan’s performance forever, and it makes me wish I could see more of it.
Yeah, her presence and power of expression just keep growing. And Tamura-san as well, your experience as an older sister might have increased too.
Tamura: Seriously?! I’ve never thought about it in that way myself, but I’m happy if you think so. However, I don’t think it’s just me, I’m sure all the 2nd generation members have matured at this point. Although I say that, but with members like Inoue (Rina) and (Takemoto) Yui-chan around, maybe we’re just as noisy as we’ve always been (laughs).
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