Kana Muramoto & Daisuke Takahashi

[synesthesia]

Whew, now I can relax! What a great, great set of programs Kana and Dai have with their unique RD and their reworked Bayadere. The improved combination spin, the new stationary and choreographic lifts enhance the program immensely. Dai's twizzles were so much better too - it helps that they simplified the transitions there. I'm just a little sad they separated the combination lift into an individual straightline and rotational one. I thought the lift worked well in the original version of the program. However, that's nitpicking. Kana and Dai already made such huge strides as a team since December and it will be so, so exciting to see them blossom even more.

 

[Skatesocs]

He improved his Skating Skills so fast Behind Komatsubara/Koleto in that regard still, of course they are as a team, but it's still stunning. A more artistically complete team, too, she's even better than him musically at times (I hope everyone here has seen her participation in singles skating), which is certainly no mean feat. Probably need more work on the technical elements (I can never tell in Ice Dance), but I wouldn't mind them being the top Japanese team this season.

ETA: LOVE the arm movements on their twizzles in the RD.

 

[Dreamer57]

Just to highlight the differences and improvements between 2020 Nationals and 2021 Labor Day invitational FDs:

 

[Skatesocs]

^Yeah, he's gaining power a lot more easily now, and is able to move with deeper edges and better control over his blades. Keeps his glide and flow a lot better, too. All around much improved.

BTW, lol, is that supposed to be a fisherman's net on his shoulder in the RD?

 

[Skatesocs]

Sorry last post lmao

Hyoen 2017 - Daisuke Takahashi - Izumo no Okuni Dance | HYOEN 2017: Daisuke Takahashi as Yoshitsune dances to seduce the villains, disguised as Izumo no Okuni In this scene, Yoshitsune disguised as Izumo no... | By Daisuke Takahashi Road to The Worl

HYOEN 2017: Daisuke Takahashi as Yoshitsune dances to seduce the villains, disguised as Izumo no Okuni In this scene, Yoshitsune disguised as Izumo no...

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The Okuni dance, I'm in love with the hip hop sections

 

[synesthesia]

BTW, lol, is that supposed to be a fisherman's net on his shoulder in the RD?

Hmm, the same silver embellishments can be seen on Kana's sleeves – they look more abstract to me rather than like fishing nets. These are probably not the final versions of the costumes either, though I wouldn't mind if they were as they complement the program very well.

Hyoen 2017 - Daisuke Takahashi - Izumo no Okuni Dance | HYOEN 2017: Daisuke Takahashi as Yoshitsune dances to seduce the villains, disguised as Izumo no Okuni In this scene, Yoshitsune disguised as Izumo no... | By Daisuke Takahashi Road to The Worl

HYOEN 2017: Daisuke Takahashi as Yoshitsune dances to seduce the villains, disguised as Izumo no Okuni In this scene, Yoshitsune disguised as Izumo no...

www.facebook.com

The Okuni dance, I'm in love with the hip hop sections

As Kana said, they weren't going for traditional hip hop moves, but drew on Dai's vocabulary as a dancer he accumulated through the various projects he worked on – or in this case more precisely on his stint with kabuki theater. Okuni's dance itself was a fusion of different styles – traditional kabuki and the inventive dance brand of Japanese artists "Tokyo Gegegay", which in turn draws on a variety of contemporary styles, hip hop being one among them (see here for more background info on the creation of Okuni's dance).

The result is eclectic and truly unique.

An observant fan spotted another cool "Easter egg" in the RD – the opening pose resembles the kanji for "fish" (魚):

https://twitter.com/friedshrimp76/status/1434996774297497600?fbclid=IwAR0MrZgB2gVMW_S5rxTXT1MbX2_2jAKFXafrlfWK3GDYloS1fiOQy2hQCI8

I love the concept they have chosen so much. It's extremely well thought out and incorporates all these fun details and references. Another thing that ties it all together is that Kana and Dai were both born in March and thus are both pisces (as reflected in their official banner).

 

[Skatesocs]

but drew on Dai's vocabulary as a dancer he accumulated through the various projects he worked on – or in this case more precisely on his stint with kabuki theater. Okuni's dance itself was a fusion of different styles – traditional kabuki and the inventive dance brand of Japanese artists "Tokyo Gegegay", which in turn draws on a variety of contemporary styles, hip hop being one among them (see here for more background info on the creation of Okuni's dance).

Yes, this particular bit is what I was referring to:

Marie: According to him, our style (TokyoGeGeGay has their own unique style with various tricks from hip-hop dance, such as fierce movements of hands and heads) was completely new to him so we thought we had to teach him the basic skills (of hip-hop) on the first day, but he had extremely sharp senses and his speed of acquisition (of choreography) was abnormally fast(laughs).

The idea behind the Okuni dance is very fun to me, because essentially the character he is playing is a man (Yoshitsune) dressed as a shrine maiden (Izumi no Okuni) doing a female dance (onna mai). So some of the movement and facial expression being very much reminiscent of voguing is a very fun idea to me, in that dance, and it does look like an entire section is devoted to it. Of course, it enriches and fuses with traditional Japanese movement to create something even more inventive.

As Kana said, they weren't going for traditional hip hop moves,

Yes, it is obvious in the RD they aren't doing "traditional hip hop moves". Which is why I didn't bring it up.

An observant fan spotted another cool "Easter egg" in the RD – the opening pose resembles the kanji for "fish" (魚):

Very much so. I think the idea is cohesive through the program.

 

[Znowflake]

Kana and Dai's RD

20210904

www.youtube.com

I don’t know how I missed this! What an amazing RD . Does anyone know when their next comp is?

 

[synesthesia]

I guess it's not set in stone, but this sportiva article suggests that they will do a Challenger, NHK Trophy (confirmed), Sectionals and Nationals:

村元哉中&髙橋大輔が感じる２年目の手応え。北京五輪に向け「自分のレベルをどれだけ上げられるか」 (4ページ目)

2021年5月のアイスショー「LUXE」で演技する村元哉中と高橋大輔カップル　2021年9月、フロリダ。アイスダンス２年目、髙橋大輔（35歳）・村元哉中（28歳）組は、アメリカ国内の「レイバー・デイ・インビテーショナル」に出場した。来年２月…

sportiva.shueisha.co.jp

Since it is the Olympic test event and the federation announced they'd like to send skaters to Asian Open if possible this is most likely the Challenger the article refers to (if it doesn't get cancelled like GP China and 4CC). Asian Open is scheduled for October 13-17.

 

[mikeko666]

The Japanese media organizations just reported that Kana and Dai will compete at Warsaw Cup next week of NHK Trophy.

2021 Warsaw Cup

Nov 18-21, 2021 Warsaw, POL | RESULTS

www.goldenskate.com

 

[synesthesia]

You're fast, mikeko.

Wow, that schedule is extremely tight! Very happy they get another opportunity to compete though. Hopefully there will be enough entries for Warsaw Cup to keep its Challenger status.

 

[deedee1]

Here are some very interesting videos by a Japanese lady who's a big ice dance fan for years talking about Kana/Dai and their programs (some of you must have watched already I guess).

Her thoughts on their Soran RD after watching Fuji TV report prior to the season:

é«æ©å¤§è¼ã¢ã¤ã¹ãã³ã¹ã§ãªãªã³ããã¯ã¸â¨â¨ããª&ãã¤æ°ããã°ã©ã ãã½ã¼ã©ã³ç¯

www.youtube.com

On their actual RD and FD at the Labor day Invitational:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAOl3P3NTn4

é«æ©å¤§è¼å京ãªãªã³ããã¯ã¸ã®éï¼ã©ã»ãã¤ãã¼ã«å¾¹åºè§£èª¬

ä»åã®åèåç»ã¯ã³ãã©âhttps://youtu.be/ik8wwrQXhogãã¢ã¨ã¢ã¤ã¹ãã³ã¹ã®éãã«ã¤ãã¦ã®åç»ã¯ã³ãã©âhttps://youtu.be/DkDOiMorhQYyuriã¸ã®ãä»äºã®ä¾é ¼ã¯ã³ãã©âhttps://shop.meringue-online.com/

www.youtube.com

Hope all is well with you. Stay safe and happy.

 

[deedee1]

From BS Fuji TV last on Sunday. Another clip of their SD, mainly recorded from the short side and more closed-up.

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

www.youtube.com

ETA 'WOW' to their new lift. A little scaring, though. ><
During the interview afterward, doesn't Dai look like he's in his twenties again!

 

[demarinis5]

Oh wow this up close angle shows how spot on their technique really is. I love this RD and I expect it will score very well this season. Thanks for sharing deedee and hope all is well with you and your family

 

[synesthesia]

Footwork breakdown of Soran bushi by meowmix (thx a bunch )!

[Footwork Breakdown] Kana MURAMOTO æååä¸/Daisuke TAKAHASHI é«æ©å¤§è¼ RD ã½ã¼ã©ã³ç¯ 19th Labor Day Invitational

RD "Soran Bushi & Koto"Soran Bushi by Maïa BarouhKoto by CloZeeChoreography by Marina Zoueva, Ilia Tkachenko, Koyo Yanai, (Daisuke Takahashi)

www.youtube.com

Meowmix has also uploaded comparison videos of the MB done by different teams, showing how good Kana and Dai already are in its execution. I think if Dai slightly improves his RBO edge after the bracket and Kana the LBI edge on her twizzle as well as the subsequent RBO edge they should be able to get KP 3 + 4:

1MB to SORAN BUSHI âªãã§ã¤ Kana MURAMOTO & Daisuke TAKAHASHI Part 2ï¼ã·ãã«ããã®ãã£ãã¡ãï¼

SORAN BUSHI by Maïa Barouhhttps://friendship.mu/en/release/soran-bushi/

www.youtube.com

1MB to SORAN BUSHI Kana MURAMOTO/Daisuke TAKAHASHI ã½ã¼ã©ã³ç¯ããããã¤ããã«ã¼ã¹ Part 3ï¼ããã·ã¼ï¼

www.youtube.com

1MB to Soran Bushi Kana MURAMOTO æååä¸/Daisuke TAKAHASHI é«æ©å¤§è¼ âªã¤ã¼ã¬ã³ã½ã¼ã©ã³ Part 4 ï¼ãã§ã¯ãã¤ããã£ã¢ã®ãï¼

www.youtube.com

 

[demarinis5]

Short video clip of KanaDai regarding NHK

K7âï¸D1 2021.11.1

#é«æ©å¤§è¼ #æååä¸ #daisuketakahashi #kanamuramoto2021å¹´NHKæ¯è¦ã©ãã

www.youtube.com

 

[mikeko666]

Short video clip of KanaDai regarding NHK

K7âï¸D1 2021.11.1

#é«æ©å¤§è¼ #æååä¸ #daisuketakahashi #kanamuramoto2021å¹´NHKæ¯è¦ã©ãã

www.youtube.com

RoLi position and ChLi exit look different from Labor Day Invitational.
I am so excited for NHK Trophy!

 

[mikeko666]

Kana and Dai are back in Japan.

NHK TV crew visited them while they were in Florida.

ＮＨＫ杯へ アイスダンス高橋大輔選手の決意は｜NHK 岡山県のニュース

１２日開幕のフィギュアスケートＮＨＫ杯。 北京五輪の代表選考につながる国際大会です。 男子シングルの銅メダリスト、高橋大輔選手はアイスダン…

www3.nhk.or.jp

I hope you can watch the video from outside Japan. RoLi in FD looks different from Labor Day Invitational, and more choreography has been added to RD. Dai said he didn't have enough time to prepare before NHK Trophy last year, but he is looking forward to it this year. Kana said they are skating much closer to each other this year.

 

[elbkup]

Looking forward to their performances at NHK… the RD is !! Wishing all the very best!!

 

[demarinis5]

Photos and short article of KanaDai at official practice.
They have beautiful new costumes for their FD.

村元哉中、高橋大輔組「ソーラン節」に自信「ユニークなものができた」/デイリースポーツ online

「フィギュアスケート・ＮＨＫ杯」（１２日開幕、代々木第一体育館）　公式練習が１１日に行われ、アイスダンスで北京五輪を目指す村元哉中、高橋大輔組（関大ＫＦＳＣ）が調整した。今季はフリーダンス（ＦＤ）が昨季から継続の「ラ・バヤデール」。リズムダ...

www.daily.co.jp