Daisuke Takahashi

KiraraChin said:

Big interview/article with Dai-chan published today! It seems to be mostly about Hyoen: Daisuke Takahashi reflects on his first love scene: 'It's something I can express because it's me now'

高橋大輔が振り返る初めてのラブシーン「今の自分だから表現できること」（田中 亜紀子）

2017年に第1作、2019年に第2作が上演となり、主演の高橋大輔さんのスケート人生に大きな影響を与え続けている「氷艶」が5年ぶりに帰ってくる。過去の公演の思い出と共に、6月8日から始まる『氷艶 hyoen 2024 -十字星のキセキ-』にのぞむ心境その他を、過去2回の作品を観覧している田中亜紀子さんが聞くインタビュー。前編では、「氷艶」という存在がなぜ人生のターニングポイントとなったのかを詳しく伺った。後編では、自分の殻を破った経験と新作のことを伺った。

gendai.media

Click to expand...

Daisuke Takahashi talks about the major influences on his "turning point in life”

Interview with Daisuke Takahashi, Part 1

Akiko Tanaka



In the spring of 2024, Daisuke Takahashi celebrated his 30th anniversary since he started skating. There is something that has contributed deeply to the turning point of his skating life.

That is Daisuke Takahashi's life's work, the comprehensive on-ice entertainment "Hyoen”.

The third production in the popular series, the first of which was staged in 2017 and the second in 2019, will return this June for the first time in five years as "Hyoen 2024 - The miracle of the cross". What kind of presence does "Hyoen" have for Mr. Takahashi? Akiko Tanaka, a writer who has seen both productions and written reports on them, interviewed Mr. Takahashi again.

In the first part of this interview, we ask Takahashi about the importance of "Hyoen" for him.



Deeply involved in his return to active duty and his switch to ice dance

This year marks Daisuke Takahashi's 30th anniversary since he started skating. Among the many vicissitudes of his skating career, his return to active duty in 2018 at the age of 32 and his switch to ice dancing at the age of 33 took the world by surprise. Deeply involved in this turning point was Takahashi's life's work, "Hyoen”, Takahashi says.

After retiring in 2014, he returned to active competition in 2018, winning a silver medal at the All-Japan Championships held in December.

“The first Kabuki-figure skating fusion, "Hyoen 2017- Basara” was timed to coincide with my first retirement. At the time, I was doing various types of work while worrying about my future life, and my appearance in "Hyoen" was a great inspiration. This appearance strengthened my determination to live my life as a performer with skating at the core, and was one of the major factors in my return to active duty in 2018.

Another turning point was "Hyoen 2019 – Like the moonlight," which was based on the theme of the Tale of Genji. Kana Muramoto, who had invited me to ice dance, was also a performer in the show, so we tried out for ice dance together at a training camp, and I became interested. Furthermore, at the time I could not dance with a partner, so I felt that if I wanted to live as a performer, I needed to be able to dance with a partner, and Hyoen at that time strengthened my feeling, and I decided to switch. So, even though it was a coincidence, "Hyoen" was involved in a major turning point in my life.”



A place where "connections" were made with people from different industries

“Hyoen" is a comprehensive entertainment on ice in which Japanese culture and figure skating are fused and different types of performers perform with each other. He has taken on a rare challenge. It has a deep connection with his competitive life in figure skating, but what does this entertainment itself mean to Daisuke Takahashi?

Daisuke Takahashi: "For me, “Hyoen” is something that always gives me a chance to try something new. I have been able to try things other than skating, such as sword fighting, acting, Japanese dance, and singing. Above all, it is a great opportunity for me to meet people from different industries that I would not normally have the chance to meet. Standing on the same stage, we have a chance to absorb various things, and these connections lead us beyond public and private life. The same is true of my encounter with Yuma Suzuki, whom I asked to choreograph the pieces for "Kassouya", which I directed in its entirety this time. You never know where things will lead, and this is an opportunity for me to make very valuable connections.

“Kassouya" is a new type of ice show fully directed by Daisuke Takahashi, which was held in February 2024.

The kanji "en" in "Hyoen" also means "edge”. As the name implies, different kinds of entertainment talents gather and stimulate each other to create a single stage on ice, thereby expanding the "bond" that binds them together.



The first production was a "Fusion with Kabuki"

2017's "Hyoen - Basara" was a fusion with Kabuki. Koshiro Matsumoto (then Somegoro Ichikawa) played the evil Kabuki character Danjo Niki, and Mr. Takahashi played Yoshitsune Minamoto as a symbol of goodness to counter him. What did Mr. Takahashi think at first when he heard about the fusion of Kabuki and figure skating?

“I couldn't imagine what it would be like at all. But Kabuki is a traditional Japanese art form. Figure skating was born in the West and also has a long history. I thought that the fusion of such traditional cultures from the East and West would open up a lot of entertainment possibilities.

The actual production was speedy and powerful, with Kabuki actors performing with flair, as well as hair-swinging, rokkata, sword fighting and Kabuki props fused with the skating on the ice. The novelty of this world made me discover anew how amazing Kabuki is, and at the same time, I was able to reconfirm the glamour and speed of figure skating, as well as the performance that conveys feelings even without dialogue.

I think the characteristic of figure skating is speed. Nothing can move that fast on stage, so when it is combined with other types of entertainment, I feel that there are still new possibilities for figure skating shows. When it comes to sword fighting, I've loved pretending to play chanbara since I was a child, so it was exciting and thrilling to perform with a sword, and I really enjoyed it. The scene in the play where I took off my skates and danced the Japanese dance solo was extremely difficult, so that part was more exhausting.”

This is the scene in which Takahashi's character, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, disguises himself as a prostitute named "Okuni" and enters the den of evil led by Matsumoto Koshiro/Somegoro Ichikawa. In the presence of a cast of distinguished Kabuki actors, Takahashi performed a hip-hop Japanese dance on a carpet on the ice, without skates. At the beginning of this scene, when a man wearing a mask appeared and began to dance without skates, I thought, "There is a wonderful young man in the Kabuki world," but halfway through the dance, I recognized him as Mr. Takahashi because of his indescribable nuance and the heat in the air.



Challenges in the skate-less territory

Mr. Takahashi's dance, accented with hand choreography to the sounds of nagauta and tsuzumi drums, sent the audience into a frenzy. This "dance of Okuni," which incorporated the hand choreography of Tokyo Gegegay and fused it with the nimai dance choreographed by Kikunojo Onoue, is still talked about among fans today.

“That was the climax of my first performance in Hyoen. If I was wearing skates, I would be in my own territory, but I was dancing the Nichimai dance in front of Kabuki actors without shoes on. What on earth would I show in that situation? I am not a professional dancer. Moreover, the nichimai dance is so deep that it was very difficult. I think all dances are deep, but it was really difficult for me to show a unique sense of slipperiness and charm without moving too much.

Kikunojo taught me gently, and I tried to copy or steal his gestures as much as possible, but I had to give my own nuance in the process. Tokyo Gegegay's hand choreography was also difficult, and it really stimulated me as a performer. I also learned a lot from watching Kabuki actors practice together late at night at the skating rink, and from there I was able to see up close how they would adjust their dances for the performance.”

This ice show appearance was a major factor in his decision to live his life as a performer with skating as his main focus.

In the second part of the interview, "Daisuke Takahashi looks back on his first love scene: 'What I can express because of who I am now'", he talks about his challenges in singing and acting, the episode in 2019 when he played Genji in "Hyoen – Like the moonlight", and this June, after a five-year absence, his performance in "Hyoen – The miracle of the cross", based on Kenji Miyazawa's "Night on the Galactic Railroad".

Click to expand...

Daisuke Takahashi looks back on his first love scene: "It's something I can express because it's who I am now.”

Interview with Daisuke Takahashi, Part 2

Akiko Tanaka



The first production was staged in 2017 and the second in 2019, and "Hyoen," which continues to have a significant impact on the skating career of its lead actor, Daisuke Takahashi, will return for the first time in five years. Akiko Tanaka, who has attended the past two productions, interviewed the actor about his memories of the past performances and his feelings toward "Hyoen 2024" which will open on June 8.

In the first part, we asked him in detail why "Hyoen" became a turning point in his life. In the second part, we asked him about his experience of coming out of his shell and his new work.



Red to the ears during the reading of the love scene

Daisuke Takahashi's second appearance in Hyoen "Like the moonlight" in which he played the role of Hikaru Genji, was staged in 2019, the year after Takahashi returned to singles active duty. The production was directed by Amon Miyamoto, who is also directing the latest production, which will be performed at Yokohama Arena starting June 8, 2024. Mr. Takahashi took on the challenge of performing in the play there, and to his surprise, he had to perform both a love scene and a song. During a close-up of the rehearsal, a scene was broadcast during the reading of the play in which Takahashi read the lines of a love scene with Ayaka Hirahara, who played Fujitsubo, and he was seen reading the lines with his ears bright red.

“I was really embarrassed at the time. I was not yet properly prepared for the play, and it was not something I could do suddenly. Skating is a wordless performance, so I was perplexed about acting with words. On top of that, you are required to perform facial expressions. I didn't know how my voice was going to sound, and I realized how difficult acting could be.

Moreover, I had to perform a solo song for the first time, and when I learned about it, I thought, "What? Am I allowed to sing?” I was very conflicted. I had to do it as the lead, but I had never done it before. I had to do it with no time, so I practiced, but I knew it was not a good idea under the circumstances. I could't lose my shyness and I couldn't be confident because I couldn't act or sing, but I knew I had to take the plunge. It was very difficult for me to switch between these feelings.

During the rehearsal camp, there was a moment when Mr. Miyamoto gathered everyone together and gave them a few words of advice.

I can't remember exactly what he said, but I was surprised when he told us that he was going to give us all a good talking-to. It was a week into the camp and I was still a bit shy. He was talking to all of us as if it was everyone's problem, but I felt as if he was talking about me, and it really hit home. I felt that I had to change myself, and in fact, I did change from there. Amon-san is really good at motivating me. When he needs to tighten up, he does so, and when he sees my performance, he asks me for more and more, so I feel like I have to do it for Amon-san.

With Amon-san's guidance, I was able to break out of my shell and the performance was a success. If you keep up, the results will follow. It was a truly wonderful experience to be able to feel that way.”



The pressure of being the leading actor in a cast of splendid actors

In "Hyoen – Like the Moonlight" he performed with singer Ayaka Hirahara, former top Takarazuka actress Reon Yuzuki, and actors Seiji Fukushi and Kazuki Namioka, all of whom are senior actors in the theater.

“The actors I co-starred with each had their own strong individuality and were amazing. Their singing gave me goosebumps, and they had an aura that I couldn't help but look at. I was overwhelmed by them, but as the lead actor, I had to compete with them. That is a difficult thing to do, isn't it? If I let that affect me, I wouldn’t have been able to move forward, so I had no choice but to do what I could do! The choices and evaluations are not made by you but by the people around you, and if they end up saying, after the play is over, that I was not good enough, there will be no next time.”

After making that decision, he was able to pull everyone together as the chairperson, not only with his skating, but also with his “incredible'' performance. I wondered how the love scene with Ms. Hirahara, who played the role of Fujitsubo, the mother-in-law, and the performance with Stéphane Lambiel, the skater who played Suzaku, the rival of Hikaru Genji and who is now Shoma Uno's coach, went.

“When I think about it now, it wasn’t really a love scene (lol). At the time, that was the best I could do, though. The scenes with Suzaku, played by Stéphane, and things like the rivalry I was actually able to do them as they were, rather than just acting. Before Amon-san cast the role, he asked me who my rival was from my active days and I answered, “Stéphane”. So it seems that Stéphane was cast as the rival in the play.

I don't know how Stéphane feels about it, but for myself, Stéphane is someone I admire and want to win against even though I think I may not be able to win. It was close to the feelings that Hikaru Genji had for Suzaku no Kimi, so it was easy for me to relate to those feelings. However, there was a lot of pressure because the performance involved a lot of things other than skating, which is my territory, and I think I unknowingly wore myself out even more than usual.”

From practice to the actual performance, Takahashi said that what he felt was the kindness and effort of his co-stars.

When Mr. Takahashi was unable to read the script properly because he turned bright red, as mentioned above, they sympathized with the lead actor, saying, "I was like that at first," and turning kind eyes on him.

He also said, "Everyone had been so supportive of me since the rehearsals, and they gave me guidance. They were really wonderful people, and they worked very hard despite their busy skating practice schedule. In fact, for almost all first-time skaters, practicing skating is a tough task. But everyone really worked hard. I realized that people who go to the top of any world are sincere and have great human qualities. In other words, I realized that such people are the ones who can make it to the top.”



The third production is inspired by Kenji Miyazawa's "Night on the Galactic Railroad”

Five years have passed since then. In the third production, “Hyoen 2024 – The miracle of the cross”, which will begin on June 8 this year, Takahashi will re-team with Amon Miyamoto, who led him to a new challenge in the previous work. The new production is based on Kenji Miyazawa's ``Night on the Galactic Railway,'' and is a story of the rebirth of the soul that transcends time, set in the real and galactic worlds. Mr. Takahashi plays the lead role of “Kakeru”.

“Of course, I am looking forward to working with Amon-san again, but I'm actually more nervous about it. I have a strong desire to show that I've grown after five years, but what if people think I haven't grown as much as I did last time? Last time I started in a situation where I didn't know what was going on and I started to grow, but this time I'm going to build on that result, so I'm under a lot of pressure. I want to prepare in my own way without thinking about anything. I'm sure a lot of things will happen once the rehearsals begin.This time, the motif is "Night on the Galaxy Express," but up until now Hyoen has been doing historical works, so I wonder if it will be modern this time. I've never acted like that before, so I still can't imagine how my acting will turn out.''



“I was sorry to hear of Kyoko Domoto's sudden passing, it still doesn't sink in."

Speaking of "Hyoen", the history and the stylistic beauty of traditional Japanese costumes have been highlights of the show so far, but what will it be like this time? It is very sad to hear of the sudden death last year of Kyoko Domoto, a stage costume designer who made the wonderful costumes for the first and second productions of "Hyoen”.

“I was so sorry to hear about Ms. Domoto, and I still don't really feel it yet. She made truly wonderful costumes, and I wish she could have made more. Costumes are a kind of battle uniform, and in my case, wearing a great costume makes me feel even better. In that sense, this time, too, they look really cool. I heard that the people in charge of the costumes have thought of various ways to make the costumes look good because skating is done at high speed on ice. I think the audience will enjoy the costumes again.”



Daisuke Takahashi sings with [musical artist] Yuzu!

For the third “Hyoen”, "Yuzu" will appear in all performances as special guest artists and also sing the theme song. And the performers will sing their traditional songs in the play.

“Yuzu-san is my youth, and I have been singing songs like ``Kakei no Kakehashi'' (Bridge of Glory) since my school days, and they are truly wonderful artists. At the concert, people of all ages came to listen to them, and they sang with all their might the whole time, which was really moving. At first, I had a hard time connecting Yuzu and a skating show. But I am really looking forward to seeing how their songs will be used in the show, as they will be sung by the musical actors. It will be my pleasure to hear them being sung during rehearsals, during the show, and behind the scenes.”

Takahashi has recently expressed his desire to perform in musicals, and in this production of "Hyoen" many musical actors will appear, and Takahashi himself will sing in many scenes.

"I really like to see musicals on stage, but as for my own singing, even though I have sung in previous productions of the "Hyoen" series, I am basically an amateur, so I am half excited and half nervous to be singing among the professionals. Ryunosuke Onoda, who plays my childhood friend Tokio in the play, is a wonderful singer, but he's also a very kind person. Even though I'm older than him, he just accepted me. In fact, I think it's more like I'm being spoiled by him."



Many skaters have been selected from "Kassouya”.

The main skaters are Shizuka Arakawa and Kana Muramoto, who have appeared in the "Hyoen" series in the past, and new members Kazuki Tomono and Koshiro Shimada, who have joined the cast.

“Kana will be appearing in her first full-fledged role in "Hyoen" and I am looking forward to seeing her in a new and different light from her ice dancing. Ms. Arakawa has an atmosphere and charm that only she can bring out. I know this may come as a surprise to you, but in the past, she played a very villainous role in "Hyoen" and it suited her well. It is rare among skaters to have that kind of presence. I don't know yet what kind of role she will play this time, but I am sure she will show us another unique presence.

I think Koshiro really likes to act. He can probably do many things better than I can. I am sure he was very happy to hear about the opportunity to appear in the ice show, because he must have been disappointed that he could not perform in “Kassouya” due to his health condition. Kazuki can do many things better than I can, and I think he is suited for acting. I don't know at what stage they both caught Amon's attention, but it will be the first time for both of them to have lines on the ice, and they will be doing something completely different from what they normally do, so I think it will definitely benefit them in the future.

The skaters were also auditioned for this year's "Hyoen," and a number of young ensemble skaters who had been selected for the ice entertainment "Kassouya", which was fully directed by Daisuke Takahashi in February, took up the challenge and were selected.

The audition was also posted by Amon Miyamoto on his SNS.

“I was not involved in the audition process at all, as I am one of the performers in "Hyoen”. So I have no idea if they really caught his eye through "Kassouya" or what kind of evaluation they got through the audition. But I can say that it is a big plus for them to participate in this kind of entertainment. It is a valuable experience for them to know a new side of themselves, different from the one in "Kassouya" and it is an accumulation. It makes me happy. It's great that the skaters who participated in "Kassouya" have another opportunity to take on new challenges."



“Hyoen” is inspired by his experience with ice dance and "Kassouya”

Having taken over the full production of "Kassouya" Takahashi himself will be able to see the production of Amon Miyamoto differently this time than he did last time. He also switched to ice dancing after the second production in 2019, so he will be able to use that experience this time.

“No, I'm still in the stage of learning by doing, even though I've directed (laughs). But I do have a desire to learn, so my perspective on Amon-san and directing may be different from last time.

I started ice dancing after the last performance, worked hard on it, and spent three seasons as an athlete. In terms of technique, there are still many things I don't understand yet. But there are “strengths” that I have challenged. Knowing how to skate with a partner is my strength now, and I can do it with confidence, so I still think that has a positive impact. In this work, the skaters are much younger than the skaters in the original "Hyoen". As the years have passed, I have changed as well, and there are many new members, so the third “Hyoen'' will start with a different feeling than before.''

Lastly, we asked him to share his enthusiasm for "Hyoen" this time.

“The full picture of "Hyoen 2024 – Miracle of the Cross" will be revealed only after the rehearsal camp in May, so I myself still have to lift the lid to find out what it is all about. However, considering the past "Hyoen" productions, I am convinced that it will be interesting, and that we must make it interesting, because the chemical reaction of different types of entertainment performers giving their all is amazing.

Thanks to your support, I have been very busy since my retirement in 2023, and I am very fulfilled. I would like to take on various challenges while I can and show you a new Daisuke Takahashi. First of all, I'm going to give my all to “Hyoen 2024 – Miracle of the Cross" and I'm really excited to see what kind of me I'll be able to meet in the future.”





Hyoen 2024 – The miracle of the cross

Yokohama Arena
June 8, 9, 10, 11
Shows start at 16:00

Synopsis: I want to meet you again, in this corner of the galaxy
This is a comprehensive entertainment on ice inspired by Kenji Miyazawa's "Night on the Galactic Railroad”. Set in the world of reality and the galaxy, it is a story of soul rebirth beyond the eternal separation of two childhood friends.


Director: Amon Miyamoto Screenplay: Riko Sakaguchi
Starring: Daisuke Takahashi
Theme Song & Song in the play: Yuzu
Cast: Daisuke Takahashi, Ryunosuke Onoda, Shizuka Arakawa, Masahiro Ehara, Kana Muramoto, Kazuki Tomono, Koshiro Shimada, Kai Hasegawa, Elianna, Marie, Others

https://hyoen.jp

Click to expand...

“[...] The scenes with Suzaku, played by Stéphane, and things like the rivalry I was actually able to do them as they were, rather than just acting. Before Amon-san cast the role, he asked me who my rival was from my active days and I answered, “Stéphane”. So it seems that Stéphane was cast as the rival in the play.

I don't know how Stéphane feels about it, but for myself, Stéphane is someone I admire and want to win against even though I think I may not be able to win. It was close to the feelings that Hikaru Genji had for Suzaku no Kimi, so it was easy for me to relate to those feelings. [...]”

Click to expand...

Takahashi has recently expressed his desire to perform in musicals, and in this production of "Hyoen" many musical actors will appear, and Takahashi himself will sing in many scenes.

"I really like to see musicals on stage, but as for my own singing, even though I have sung in previous productions of the "Hyoen" series, I am basically an amateur, so I am half excited and half nervous to be singing among the professionals. Ryunosuke Onoda, who plays my childhood friend Tokio in the play, is a wonderful singer, but he's also a very kind person. Even though I'm older than him, he just accepted me. In fact, I think it's more like I'm being spoiled by him."

Click to expand...

村上佳菜子(おかな) on Instagram: "🎤🎵 2日間とっても特別な体験をしました！！ 『村上佳菜子のフィギュアススケート音楽会』 滑らずに生演奏で生歌でフィギュアスケートで 印象に残っている音楽を聴くという2日間。 本当に特別な体験をしました🩵 滑っていた時の事を思い出したり、色んな スケーター達の滑りを思い出したり… そして、新しい気づきがあったり… こんな素晴らしい経験をさせてもらえて 幸せでした！！ そして、初の司会に挑戦しオドオドして いましたが、大ちゃんも一緒ですご

6,580 likes, 25 comments - kanako_m_officialMarch 17, 2024 on : "🎤🎵 2日間とっても特別な体験をしました！！ 『村上佳菜子のフィギュアススケート音楽会』 滑ら..."

www.instagram.com

Murakami: So, what kind of music do you usually listen to?

Takahashi: All genres, from rock to jazz to classical... Since I started producing, I'm always searching for music in various genres, so I don't have a fixed genre. I change it according to my mood. I sometimes play classical music in the morning. It feels good.

Murakami Elegant!

Tanaka It doesn't suit you, or maybe it does. What about you, Kanako?

Murakami I like music that gets me excited, so I like songs by everyone - Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, etc. I also listen to the soundtrack of Phantom of the Opera as I move around, and I also listen to classical music... I like classical music when I spend time in the sauna. What about you, Tanaka?

Tanaka: I don't usually listen to music anymore since I became a professional, I want to rest my ears. Before I became a professional, I loved R&B and soul, and I used to listen to Chaka Khan and Nirvana. I still listen to them when I drive. But, for example, when I'm at the dentist's office and classical music is playing and they say, 'Please relax', I can't do it. Even if there's a piano playing, I'm worried that the tempo might be too fast. I'm worried about it.

Murakami It's interesting. It's not often that we get to hear stories like this. Now for the next question. 'Do you go to musicals, plays or concerts? Please tell us about your favourite genres and what you enjoyed seeing.

Takahashi: I like the fusion of music, dance and singing, so I go to see musicals more often than straight plays, but I like all genres.

Murakami: Even after you retired, you went to see many different kinds of performances, didn't you?

Takahashi: I like it a lot, so I do go. I'm also directing, so I've started to look at things like lighting. I see how the composition is done, how the movement is good, and so on.

Murakami Has your perspective changed since your working days?

Takahashi: Yes, it has. Since I started producing ice shows, I've had to learn how to see things differently.

Tanaka: What about Kanako?

Murakami: I love it too. The Shiki Theatre Company has been nearby since I was a child.

Tanaka: It's in Sakae, Nagoya, isn't it? [Note: Yuko Tanaka is also from Nagoya, the same town as Kanako Murakami.]

Murakami: It seems that Midori Ito took ballet lessons in the Shiki Theatre Company, and through that connection I got to go and see it with Ms Machiko Yamada. Since then, I've loved the theatre. Even now, I still go and get my own tickets. Do you also see plays?

Tanaka: I love straight plays. I also like to watch dramas and films, and I like to imagine what the direction and script are like. Someday, I want to study acting.

Murakami: I see. Would you prefer to act in plays?

Tanaka Yes, I do. Also, there is a piece called “A Soldier's Tale” by Stravinsky, which is a piece with a lot of variations, but it is a very universal story with narration and pantomime. You should definitely listen to it!

Takahashi: I'll listen to it!

Tanaka Please listen to the version with the French narration first. I think it would be great to do it on ice skates. There's a play, there's a narrative, there's a pantomime. I'd like to direct it someday, and perform it myself, swinging as I go along (laughs).

Murakami: Amazing. Shall we skate? Let's have another collaboration.

Takahashi: I'd love to.

Murakami: I'd like to talk more, but there's already a sign saying 'the end'.

Tanaka: It says 'the end' in big letters (laughs).

Murakami I'm sorry to say goodbye, but this is the end of the after-talk. Thank you very much!

Click to expand...

• According to the fan Dai-chan was cheerful and chatty and he seemed to be full of “Yang” energy.
  
  
• They talked about the physical changes that come with age. Dai-chan's respect for Shizuka increases year by year.
  
  
• For skating boots, he currently uses ice dance boots and switches between singles/ice dance blades. The heels remain high only for ice dance. [I guess he has one pair of ice dance boots with high heels and ice dance blades and one pair of ice dance boots with a standard heel and freestyle blades.]
  
  
• About working with young skaters without ice show-experience for “Kassouya”: “Everyone was so passionate, that everyone lifted each other up,'' and they all were like “Okay, let's do our best together!'' Although it was taxing on the body, this was what got them through it and the synergy effect was immeasurable.
  
  
• Dai-chan was moved to tears behind the scenes when he saw everyone's growth during the performance.
  
  
• About solo numbers: When he does solo numbers, Dai definitely wants to include jumps [as opposed to performing a solo dance].
  
  
• Dai couldn't practice his solo number much for “Kassouya”. He hopes that the next time he gets to perform it, he will be able to do it perfectly.
  
  
• It was actually at Art on Ice that Dai felt for the first time that it would be useful to be able to skate/dance with somene else! He said he felt frustrated that he wasn’t able to take the lead quickly enough when he was paired up with another skater [probably referring to being partnered with Joannie Rochette at AOI 2015].
  
  
• Dai currently has 18 pots of houseplants in his apartment. He ventilates the room and humidifies the air every day, and sometimes showers the plants in the bathroom. He sometimes performs the sage burning ritual while ventilating.
  
  
• When asked for something he’d like to try: He’d like to buy an investment condominium.
  
  
• About Hyoen: Dai received the script and there are more lines than last time [for “The tale of Genji”] and he will sing [which we already know].
• On his 30th skating anniversary: Having come this far, now he wants to make it to his 40th or even 50th anniversary!
  
  
• At the end of the talk, instead of the obligatory “please continue to support/watch over me” he asked his fans to “keep walking with him”.

CM é«æ©å¤§è¼

www.youtube.com

• About Kazuki’s “costume”: Why is he wearing a jacket reminiscent of personal protective gear? Is this his final costume or a placeholder? If it is indeed the actual costume, then is he maybe involved with the fossil excavation at "The Pliocene Coast"?
• I suppose Masahiro is the Conductor and Kai the Wireless Operator?
• Eliana seems to have a connection to Scorpius
• Kana could be one of the passengers from the sinking ship?
• Is Marie maybe "Kakeru's" mother?
• No clue about Shizuka. Is she an original character?

Original web interview "Daisuke Takahashi - behind the dazzling brilliance" Part 1​

The shoot and interview of Daisuke Takahashi took place a little while after his first ice show "Kassouya" in February 2024, and just as he was about to start preparations for the ice show "Hyoen 2024 – Miracle of the Cross" in June, in which he will star. The online article is a sequel to the main article in the May issue of Precious, which reveals the secrets of the aura and brilliance of a skater with rare sensitivity and talent. The online article is a sequel to the original article, and provides more details about Takahashi's thoughts and personal life as an extension of the comments made in the original article. Also, look out for shots never before published in the magazine, which can only be seen here!

Professional figure skater Daisuke Takahashi is currently appearing in the May issue on sale. This interview took place at a time when preparations were about to begin for the June ice show he is starring in, 'Hyoen 2024 – Miracle of the Cross'. Please enjoy this article as a sequel to the interview in the Precious magazine.

​

​

​

'There are 100 people, so there can be 100 different kinds of beauty' (Mr Takahashi)​

Q. How was it wearing high jewellery with diamonds?

Before the shoot, I thought it would be difficult to wear if the power of the jewellery was too much, but then I realised that even though the jewellery is so strong, 'really high quality jewellery fits everyone and sits beautifully'. I thought it would be more overwhelming. I myself have recently become interested in stones. I think the beauty of stones is that each one has a different expression, but I think there are times when you try them on and they don't feel right, so I hope I can find something that doesn't make me feel like I’m 'trying too hard' to wear it. As for diamonds, when I touched them this time, I thought that the ultimate ideal would be to wear them casually with denim and T-shirts, for example.



Q. What do you think of beauty and the image of beauty you aspire to?

I think there are 100 different kinds of beauty for every 100 people, and my aim is to stay natural. I'm getting older, so I'm making an effort not to age, but I don't think it's right to look like I'm trying too hard and doing my best, so I try to keep it natural. I'm working hard on my skincare now, but I'm doing it because I want to, so if I don't want to do it anymore, I'll stop!　I'm trying not to put stress on myself, so I'm asking myself more and more 'what do I really want to do', rather than what people think of me. I used to just do things on the spur of the moment, but when I'm not sure, I take a step back and think, 'Is this something I want to do? ' The answer is a bit far from beauty, but that's how I feel about wanting to be natural."

​

​

'When choosing the cast for Kassouya, I focused on genderlessness and strength' (Takahashi)​

Q . You mentioned that your interactions with Coach Nikolai Morozov were a major factor in your improvement, but is there anything memorable about the teachings of Coach Utako Nagamitsu, who supported you for many years?

'Since I was in high school, I would stay at Coach Nagamitsu's place about two or three weeks before a competition. “Then why don't you go and live there already?” I was told that I would be spoiled then, so I moved in with her. From then on, she became almost like a parent, so I was too close. It wasn't so much the words that remained with me, but rather the sense of security and trust that 'this person will wait for me no matter what'. If I were to recall Coach Nagamitsu's words, it would be the discipline she taught me from the very beginning, such as 'As soon as the bus arrives, go and get everyone's luggage and carry it' and 'Make sure you greet everyone properly'. Of course, those lessons are still very much alive in me today, and I'm very grateful for that."



Q: For your first self-produced show, 'Kassouya', you handpicked the cast yourself. I hear that you visited the competition venues where the block competitions were taking place to select the cast. From what perspective did you choose the cast for this year's show?

'At first I was thinking of putting together a team of just male skaters to skate a group number. But after the name of the show was changed to “Kassouya”, I felt that speed and strength were the most important things, so I thought it would be good to include female skaters who have strength, so I looked at it from a genderless perspective, focusing on 'strength'. Strength is the feeling of skating with one solid axis in your body. From that point of view, I looked at skating first, then steps, and whether they could move fast or not. But even if you can't move fast, the power of your skating is more important. In the end, it was important to me that the core of the body was solid and the skating was strong. I didn't look at whether they could dance or not, or how their jumps were this time."

[Unpublished cut from the magazine! The editorial team agonised over which cut to use, the one that appeared in the magazine or the one that didn't.]

I think I could show more leeway if I teamed up with Mao now (laughs).​

​

​

Q. Could you tell us more about your impression of Mao Asada's show "Beyond"?

I went to see the Niigata performance and was really impressed by the performance. I felt that Mao has gone through a lot of experiences and what comes out from inside has changed a lot and I was overwhelmed. The whole show reflected Mao's character, and I felt that her bright 'yang' and unshakeable strength came out in full force."



Q. I think many fans remember the first collaboration between you two at the ice show 10 years ago. There was a scene where Takahashi-san lifted Mao-san a bit (at Christmas on Ice in December 2014).

Yes, I did. At that time, I lifted her up with great difficulty, but now, I could lift her up with no problem at all! Lifting requires skill not only on the lifting side but also on the side of being lifted, but Mao practised for the show [Beyond] and experienced lifting as a pair, so I think if we tried it together now, we could show a lift with a lot of confidence (laughs).

[Unpublished cut from the magazine! During the photo shoot, the photographer asked Mr Takahashi to make a sleepy face. Here's the moment when he did it, despite his embarrassment.]



Q. This year, you performed your best jump, the triple flip in your solo performance at the ice show for the first time in a long time. With different shoes and edges for dancing and single skating, isn't it difficult to change shoes and switch senses to jump the triple?

Yes, it is. I'm currently using dance shoes with different edges for singles, but the length of the edges and the height of the shoes are different, so I haven't had much time to adjust my senses to them yet, so I'm still trying to figure out how to use them properly. At the Prince Ice World at the beginning of the year, I skated a programme from my singles days, so I practised the jumps and put them in, but at Kassouya in February, I hadn't practised them since then, so on the morning of the actual event, I practiced triple flips and put all my energy into them! It was like that... I really just jumped with my spirit already. But now that I've settled down, I hope to be able to practise jumps consistently. If I skate a single programme, jumps are the best part of it, so I'd like to do all the triples again.I don't think there's much need to do triple axels, but I think I'll do them if I can.



Q: This is the second time you have worked with Amon Miyamoto, who is directing the Hyoen performance, having worked with him five years ago. What is your impression of Amon-san? Is there likely to be singing again this time?

I had an image that the directors were a bit scary, but Mr Yakon was strict in his criticism, but he picked up on all our movements and reactions and encouraged us by saying, 'That's good, that's good', which I appreciated. As for the singing, we haven't had any meetings yet, so I don't know what will happen this time. Last time he asked me to sing, so I was like, 'If he tells me to sing, I have no choice but to do it' (laughs). I practised a lot, but there were parts that didn't go so well and it was tough, but I also felt inside that 'there are people who want to sing at Yokohama Arena but don’t have the opportunity', and there was a sense of escape that 'I didn't say I would do it', so I worked on it with the mindset that I could be a little bit more aggressive.



The interview with Daisuke Takahashi, never before published in the magazine, will continue in the second half. Please look forward to it!




Daisuke Takahashi
Professional figure skater

Born in Okayama in 1986. He won the World Junior Championships, the bronze medal at the Vancouver Olympics and the World Championships, becoming the first Japanese male skater to win these titles. After announcing his retirement in 2014, he returned to active skating four years later at the age of 32, and switched to ice dance in 2020, winning the 2022 All-Japan Championships and placing 11th at the 2023 World Championships, tying Japan's all-time record. In May of the same year, he announced his retirement from competition, and in February 2024 he presided over his own ice show, Kassouya, which was held at the Yokohama Arena!

​

Hyoen 2024 - Miracle of the cross.

The ice show Hyoen 2024 – Miracle of the Cross, starring Daisuke Takahashi, will be held at Yokohama Arena from 8-11 June 2024. Directed by Amon Miyamoto and featuring special guest artists Yuzu, the show will depict a "story of the rebirth of the soul" on ice, inspired by Kenji Miyazawa's 'Night on the Galactic Railroad'.

Click to expand...