- Joined
- Apr 3, 2009
I would love to see Sota really shoot to the top of the Japanese team this year. He's a really beautiful skater.
Truth be told, I prefer watching him to Hanyu.
Truth be told, I prefer watching him to Hanyu.
Sota Yamamoto
- Thread starter surimi
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Now it appears Sota is scheduled to perform in a fashion show, along with Kazuki and Sena? 
Unless of course it is an April's Fools' joke. That remains to be seen.
https://twitter.com/SapAssociation/status/1509831082036056067?s=20&t=63PkDAAB2UXPCgYgrqzecQ
Per Google Translate: A skater's collection 2022 that combines fashion shows and entertainment will be held in Futakotamagawa! The performers are #Kazuki Tomono #Sota Yamamoto #Sena Miyake and young male creators. Tickets will be on sale from 4/3 (Sun) ePlus! Information disclosure is tomorrow.
Well done, boys! Skaters today, aspiring fashion models tomorrow.
Unless of course it is an April's Fools' joke. That remains to be seen.https://twitter.com/SapAssociation/status/1509831082036056067?s=20&t=63PkDAAB2UXPCgYgrqzecQ
Per Google Translate: A skater's collection 2022 that combines fashion shows and entertainment will be held in Futakotamagawa! The performers are #Kazuki Tomono #Sota Yamamoto #Sena Miyake and young male creators. Tickets will be on sale from 4/3 (Sun) ePlus! Information disclosure is tomorrow.
Well done, boys! Skaters today, aspiring fashion models tomorrow.
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Part 1 of the archived stream of Unlim talkshow on Mar. 24. Anyone can access the video by signing in with facebook or google account.
www.mem.unlim.team
Translation: (1 of 2)
I=Interviewer; K=Kazuki; S=Sota; R=Reo
(Kussi is Kazuki Kushida's nickname)
I: Well, may I have a word from Kushida for those who are participating today?
K: I am very happy that so many people took time out of their busy schedules to join us. I was able to arrange this conversation today because of the time and availability of two of my colleagues and I. Thank you very much.
I: Thank you very much. Congratulations to Kushida senshu, who graduated from university last week.
K: Thank you very much!
I: I understand that you are going to continue skating, but how are you spending your time now?
K: Well, I'm working hard on practice, training, and some everyday personal stuff that I haven't been able to do much of, such as cleaning.
I: So you are really practicing your skating and also fulfilling your personal life.
K: Yes, I skate and play games when I am not skating.
I: Thank you very much. Next, may I ask you, Mr. Ishizuka?
R: Good evening. Thank you very much for your time. I've never been to a social event like this before, so I'm not sure what it's going to be like, but I'm very happy to be here today because I've been looking forward to talking like this with Kusshi and Sota, who have been good friends for a long time. So I'm very happy to be invited today.
I: Thank you very much. I heard that Ishizuka senshu retired the other day, but how do you plan to spend your time or build up your career from now on?
R: Yes, that's right. Since I was a child, I always wanted to be a coach, and coaching has been my dream job. My position will change a little from now on, but as a coach, I really want to learn every day and do my best.
I: So you go to that rink now. It sounds like you go there for learning as well?
R: That's right. I go there every day.
I: Oh, so you are also trying to nurture the second Sota Yamamoto and the third Kazuki Kushida. [laughter]
R: Yes, exactly. Exactly [laughter]
I: Exactly. Please talk about that again later if you can.
R: Yes [nods]
I: Now lastly, Yamamoto senshu. A few words, please.
S: Yes, good evening everyone, my name is Sota Yamamoto. Kussi invited me to join this Unlim social event, and I was really looking forward to having a meeting like this where three of us of the same generation could interact with each other. I know we are in the middle of the World Championships today, but I would like to thank everyone who took the time to come and watch this talkshow. Thank you very much.
I: Thank you very much. Yamamoto senshu, the season is over, but how are you working now?
S: Well, I usually take time off during the year-end and New Year holidays, going back to my hometown Osaka, but this season I participated in the Nagoya Festival, the Intercollegiate and the Kokutai, so it was difficult to take time off during the season, so I finally took some time off. I can take some time off. I am practicing as usual, but I would like to take some time off to relax my mind and body.
I: So you feel like you have more time to relax now?
S: Yes, that's right. Yes, I changed my boots and things like that. I am practicing as usual, but I think I am doing what I should do in the off-season as well.
I: I hope you will tell us more about that when the three of us talk together again. Thank you very much.
S: Thank you very much.
I: Well, first of all, as I told you before, today… [Kushida's connection is temporarily interrupted.] Huh? [Sota and Reo both laugh loudly.] He's the man in charge, though. Wait a minute, please. I was going to ask him to give a toast.
K: Sorry. My application…I'm sorry.
S: Usually I'm the one who disappears.
I: Oh. I see.
S: I often run out of battery charge and disappear [laughter].
I: I see.
K: Oh, I got it. Sorry.
I: No problem. It's all right.
I: Well, first of all, to celebrate the gathering of the three of you, I would like to ask Kushida senshu to propose a toast to the new season. I understand that everyone who is attending has prepared drinks, so please have them at hand and let's make a toast together.
K: Yes, I'm not the type to make a toast, but please enjoy yourself today. I'll be cheering for the skaters at the World Championships later on. Please do. Cheers.
R&S: Cheers!
I: Thank you very much. By the way, what did you all drink?
R: Kusshi, what's yours?
K: [while fiddling with his hair] Eh, orange juice
S: Cute. [Chuckles]
S: I have sparkling water. The kind that doesn't have any flavor.
R: Carbonated water in that container?
S: Yes, in this [points to a container] carbonated water. There was a big plastic bottle in the fridge, and I thought it would be a little bit awkward to drink from it.
R: Indeed.
S: So I put it in a proper mug.
R: I thought it was coffee or something.
S: It's from Starbucks.
R: Oh yeah.
S: It's carbonated water. I was a little concerned about my shape during the off-season. [laughter]
K: I see. [chuckles]
R: I think you are overly concerned about it [lughter].
-- to be cont'd to the second half of the translation--
櫛田一樹選手｜3月オンライン交流会アーカイブ Part1｜2022.3.29
www.mem.unlim.team
I=Interviewer; K=Kazuki; S=Sota; R=Reo
(Kussi is Kazuki Kushida's nickname)
I: Well, may I have a word from Kushida for those who are participating today?
K: I am very happy that so many people took time out of their busy schedules to join us. I was able to arrange this conversation today because of the time and availability of two of my colleagues and I. Thank you very much.
I: Thank you very much. Congratulations to Kushida senshu, who graduated from university last week.
K: Thank you very much!
I: I understand that you are going to continue skating, but how are you spending your time now?
K: Well, I'm working hard on practice, training, and some everyday personal stuff that I haven't been able to do much of, such as cleaning.
I: So you are really practicing your skating and also fulfilling your personal life.
K: Yes, I skate and play games when I am not skating.
I: Thank you very much. Next, may I ask you, Mr. Ishizuka?
R: Good evening. Thank you very much for your time. I've never been to a social event like this before, so I'm not sure what it's going to be like, but I'm very happy to be here today because I've been looking forward to talking like this with Kusshi and Sota, who have been good friends for a long time. So I'm very happy to be invited today.
I: Thank you very much. I heard that Ishizuka senshu retired the other day, but how do you plan to spend your time or build up your career from now on?
R: Yes, that's right. Since I was a child, I always wanted to be a coach, and coaching has been my dream job. My position will change a little from now on, but as a coach, I really want to learn every day and do my best.
I: So you go to that rink now. It sounds like you go there for learning as well?
R: That's right. I go there every day.
I: Oh, so you are also trying to nurture the second Sota Yamamoto and the third Kazuki Kushida. [laughter]
R: Yes, exactly. Exactly [laughter]
I: Exactly. Please talk about that again later if you can.
R: Yes [nods]
I: Now lastly, Yamamoto senshu. A few words, please.
S: Yes, good evening everyone, my name is Sota Yamamoto. Kussi invited me to join this Unlim social event, and I was really looking forward to having a meeting like this where three of us of the same generation could interact with each other. I know we are in the middle of the World Championships today, but I would like to thank everyone who took the time to come and watch this talkshow. Thank you very much.
I: Thank you very much. Yamamoto senshu, the season is over, but how are you working now?
S: Well, I usually take time off during the year-end and New Year holidays, going back to my hometown Osaka, but this season I participated in the Nagoya Festival, the Intercollegiate and the Kokutai, so it was difficult to take time off during the season, so I finally took some time off. I can take some time off. I am practicing as usual, but I would like to take some time off to relax my mind and body.
I: So you feel like you have more time to relax now?
S: Yes, that's right. Yes, I changed my boots and things like that. I am practicing as usual, but I think I am doing what I should do in the off-season as well.
I: I hope you will tell us more about that when the three of us talk together again. Thank you very much.
S: Thank you very much.
I: Well, first of all, as I told you before, today… [Kushida's connection is temporarily interrupted.] Huh? [Sota and Reo both laugh loudly.] He's the man in charge, though. Wait a minute, please. I was going to ask him to give a toast.
K: Sorry. My application…I'm sorry.
S: Usually I'm the one who disappears.
I: Oh. I see.
S: I often run out of battery charge and disappear [laughter].
I: I see.
K: Oh, I got it. Sorry.
I: No problem. It's all right.
I: Well, first of all, to celebrate the gathering of the three of you, I would like to ask Kushida senshu to propose a toast to the new season. I understand that everyone who is attending has prepared drinks, so please have them at hand and let's make a toast together.
K: Yes, I'm not the type to make a toast, but please enjoy yourself today. I'll be cheering for the skaters at the World Championships later on. Please do. Cheers.
R&S: Cheers!
I: Thank you very much. By the way, what did you all drink?
R: Kusshi, what's yours?
K: [while fiddling with his hair] Eh, orange juice
S: Cute. [Chuckles]
S: I have sparkling water. The kind that doesn't have any flavor.
R: Carbonated water in that container?
S: Yes, in this [points to a container] carbonated water. There was a big plastic bottle in the fridge, and I thought it would be a little bit awkward to drink from it.
R: Indeed.
S: So I put it in a proper mug.
R: I thought it was coffee or something.
S: It's from Starbucks.
R: Oh yeah.
S: It's carbonated water. I was a little concerned about my shape during the off-season. [laughter]
K: I see. [chuckles]
R: I think you are overly concerned about it [lughter].
-- to be cont'd to the second half of the translation--
Last edited:
If you are interested in registering with Unlim, here's the steps. I hope the instruction works.
Go to Kushida talkshow Archive Part 1. https://www.mem.unlim.team/post/kazukikushida_20220329
Follow the steps as illustrated below. Each page is separated by a solid dark blue line.
imgbox.com
1) Click 今すぐ申し込む (register right now)
2) In the next window, make sure you click the free plan (無料プラン）on the right.
3) Click 新規登録 (new registration)
4) Select one of the three: Use Facebook A/C; Use google A/c; or signup with email address.
When you create your Unlim account, you will be asked to create password パスワード. This password is for Unlim new account.
I'll be happy to answer any questions about the registration process of Unlim.
Go to Kushida talkshow Archive Part 1. https://www.mem.unlim.team/post/kazukikushida_20220329
Follow the steps as illustrated below. Each page is separated by a solid dark blue line.
imgbox - fast, simple image host
Use imgbox to upload, host and share all your images. It's simple, free and blazing fast!
imgbox.com
2) In the next window, make sure you click the free plan (無料プラン）on the right.
3) Click 新規登録 (new registration)
4) Select one of the three: Use Facebook A/C; Use google A/c; or signup with email address.
When you create your Unlim account, you will be asked to create password パスワード. This password is for Unlim new account.
I'll be happy to answer any questions about the registration process of Unlim.
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Thank you so much, rRainbow! 
Just wanted to cross-post this from Kazuki's FF: Sota will be an event on 23 Apr with Kazuki and Sena, the concept of the event is a bit confusing to me lol but it seems it will be a mixture of skating, fashion and photography
Anyway, it'll be definitely interesting to keep an eye on it!
Just wanted to cross-post this from Kazuki's FF: Sota will be an event on 23 Apr with Kazuki and Sena, the concept of the event is a bit confusing to me lol but it seems it will be a mixture of skating, fashion and photography
Anyway, it'll be definitely interesting to keep an eye on it!
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Thank you so much, rRainbow!
Just wanted to cross-post this from Kazuki's FF: Sota will be an event on 23 Apr with Kazuki and Sena, the concept of the event is a bit confusing to me lol but it seems it will be a mixture of skating, fashion and photography
Anyway, it'll be definitely interesting to keep an eye on it!
I posted about that a few posts above, wondering if it was an April Fools' joke.
Do they have April Fool's in Japan, I wonder?But if real, it sounds like an interesting project, and I hope we get to see photos. ^ ^
Thank you for the translation, Rainbow!
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Ohhhh sorry, my bad! I think it's real, I saw info from the org about tickets and stuff.I posted about that a few posts above, wondering if it was an April Fools' joke.
But if real, it sounds like an interesting project, and I hope we get to see photos. ^ ^
Thank you for the translation, Rainbow!
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
No problem, I know how hard it can be not to get lost in a thread with multiple new posts
I have to say I am looking forward to a Kazuki x Sota runway showdown on the ice. 
I think the trio would best be complemented by Keiji and his sass. Maybe they'll add him next time.@rRainbow , I have a question about the part about Sota changing his skating boots. Does Japanese distinguish between 'change' and 'replace'? I am just wondering if he only replaced the old taped pair he wore earlier by a new pair, or if he's changed the brand. That's also possible, but his new custom Jackson pair arrived in January, which isn't long ago, so I wonder.
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In this case, two different interpretations are possible, as he simply said 「靴とかも変えたりして」which means "changed my boots as well" and he didn't elaborate on that. But I rather assume he switched to the pair of different brand because it seems more likely that he would have said 「靴を新しく買って」(bought new boots) or 「靴を買い替えて」(replaced my boots) if he had replaced the pair.
Translation - 2 of 2
I: You actually get into a different shape in the off-season? Everyone?
S: Well, it depends on the person, but for me, a little bit in the off-season, a little bit more than during the season. During the season, on the contrary, I feel like I can't replenish enough no matter how much food I take in. In the off-season, I take in less energy, or at least a minimum amount. I take less juice and stuff like that. I would like to drink it, though. Heh heh.
K: It makes sense. For me, I eat and drink a lot in the off-season without thinking about it.
S: Yeah, I usually do that too.
K: We can only do this (talkshow) during the off-season, right?
S: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I: So, um, do you remember how the three of you became acquainted, or where you say you got to know each other? Everyone.
K: Well, I probably started late. I think Sota and Reo-kun probably had already met each other earlier. I think it was at the All-Japan Novice Championships that the three of us first met, wasn't it? [Sota and Reo nod.] That Daido, Do, Doro, Doronco. [All laugh loudly]
S: Drinco. [Laughing loudly] That isn’t “Doronko.” You know, Reo's "Doh-rinco."
R: I once said "Doh-rinco" [chuckles]
K: I think we probably met for the first time at Drinco (t/n: Dydo Drinco Ice Arena in Tokyo).
S: Oh, that was the time there.
K: Eh, yeah. That's the first time I met Sota there too.
S: Well, I don't remember at all. I do remember that we had a competition, though.
K: Because the profiles of me and Sota are listed above and below one another, and each said "hobby: skating" and "hobby: skating." Both of us. [Laughs loudly]
S: Gee whiz, you guys were crazy about skating [laughter].
R: Seriously. [ laughter ]
S: You remember it well, don't you? [laughter].
K: I remember, or rather, Taichi teased me about it so much.
S: Ah, Taichi was there. For me, Reo-kun, Reo, Reo-kun [laughter].
R: Ha ha ha. That was a surprise. [laughter]
S: I was surprised. Me too. [laughter ] Reo was at Nobeyama training camp. The Nobeyama training camp for finding talented newcomers is held every summer for the Novice generation. At that camp, I met Reo and Taichiro for the first time, as well as other skaters of the same generation, and my first impression of Reo was that he was really good at spins and skating. I remember Kusshi around the All-Japan Junior High School Championships, but we had more chances to play together after entering All-Japan Junior High School and turning Junior, and we became very good friends.
I: Then, how did you meet Ishizuka senshu and Kushida-kun?
K: We met at All-Japan Novice, right? For sure. I know that we talked to each other.
R: I think we have. I've known Sota since the training camp for newcomers, and we've talked a lot. A little after that, I heard a rumor that there was a kid who could triple jump even though he just started skating.
K: Really? [Laughter]
R: There was some talk in Tokyo that there was a boy in Okayama who had only been skating for a few years and had already jumped the triple. That was Kusshi.
K: Really? Huh [Sota and Reo laugh].
R&S: Cool!
R: I met him afterwards, maybe at Dydo Drinko's.
K: Maybe we talked a lot, like at training camp.
R: Yeah, I think we talked a lot during practice.
K: We all did group gymnastics together.
S: Yeah, I have pictures.
K: I have such fond memories!
S: I have the feeling that everyone gets along really well during practice and such.
K: I know what you mean.
R: Like Zenkoji temple.
S: Yeah, we all went for a walk together.
K: That was a lot of fun.
I: Do you care about your peers about the same age? Did you know at the beginning that this skater is your age, and is that a strong reason for you to become friends with him or her?
K: It seems that skaters get along quite naturally. It was like, while we were talking, I realized that when I talked with the kids around me, I found myself becoming friends with them.
R: Usually, yes. Especially for me, there were not many skaters of the same generation, or of the same generation in Eastern Japan. That's why I always talked with Sota, Kusshi, and other good skaters when I met them at the national championships, such as All-Japan Junioe High School and All-Japan Novice, partly because we are from the same generation, but also because they are both good skaters, so we talk all the time.
S: For me, I think that being in the same generation is... hmm, I mean, it's very reassuring to have peers, or to be able to participate in the same competitions, or to spend time together like this. I feel strongly that we have a kind of bond. Reo has now retired and is moving on to a new path, but everyone has his own path to pursue, and I feel that we are all there to support each other and do our best.
I: Hmmm, it is nice to be in the same age group. I think it's wonderful that the three of you are able to have a meaningful discussion at the top of the group, even though the number of members is getting smaller and smaller. (Continue to Part 2)
–End of translation -
I: You actually get into a different shape in the off-season? Everyone?
S: Well, it depends on the person, but for me, a little bit in the off-season, a little bit more than during the season. During the season, on the contrary, I feel like I can't replenish enough no matter how much food I take in. In the off-season, I take in less energy, or at least a minimum amount. I take less juice and stuff like that. I would like to drink it, though. Heh heh.
K: It makes sense. For me, I eat and drink a lot in the off-season without thinking about it.
S: Yeah, I usually do that too.
K: We can only do this (talkshow) during the off-season, right?
S: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I: So, um, do you remember how the three of you became acquainted, or where you say you got to know each other? Everyone.
K: Well, I probably started late. I think Sota and Reo-kun probably had already met each other earlier. I think it was at the All-Japan Novice Championships that the three of us first met, wasn't it? [Sota and Reo nod.] That Daido, Do, Doro, Doronco. [All laugh loudly]
S: Drinco. [Laughing loudly] That isn’t “Doronko.” You know, Reo's "Doh-rinco."
R: I once said "Doh-rinco" [chuckles]
K: I think we probably met for the first time at Drinco (t/n: Dydo Drinco Ice Arena in Tokyo).
S: Oh, that was the time there.
K: Eh, yeah. That's the first time I met Sota there too.
S: Well, I don't remember at all. I do remember that we had a competition, though.
K: Because the profiles of me and Sota are listed above and below one another, and each said "hobby: skating" and "hobby: skating." Both of us. [Laughs loudly]
S: Gee whiz, you guys were crazy about skating [laughter].
R: Seriously. [ laughter ]
S: You remember it well, don't you? [laughter].
K: I remember, or rather, Taichi teased me about it so much.
S: Ah, Taichi was there. For me, Reo-kun, Reo, Reo-kun [laughter].
R: Ha ha ha. That was a surprise. [laughter]
S: I was surprised. Me too. [laughter ] Reo was at Nobeyama training camp. The Nobeyama training camp for finding talented newcomers is held every summer for the Novice generation. At that camp, I met Reo and Taichiro for the first time, as well as other skaters of the same generation, and my first impression of Reo was that he was really good at spins and skating. I remember Kusshi around the All-Japan Junior High School Championships, but we had more chances to play together after entering All-Japan Junior High School and turning Junior, and we became very good friends.
I: Then, how did you meet Ishizuka senshu and Kushida-kun?
K: We met at All-Japan Novice, right? For sure. I know that we talked to each other.
R: I think we have. I've known Sota since the training camp for newcomers, and we've talked a lot. A little after that, I heard a rumor that there was a kid who could triple jump even though he just started skating.
K: Really? [Laughter]
R: There was some talk in Tokyo that there was a boy in Okayama who had only been skating for a few years and had already jumped the triple. That was Kusshi.
K: Really? Huh [Sota and Reo laugh].
R&S: Cool!
R: I met him afterwards, maybe at Dydo Drinko's.
K: Maybe we talked a lot, like at training camp.
R: Yeah, I think we talked a lot during practice.
K: We all did group gymnastics together.
S: Yeah, I have pictures.
K: I have such fond memories!
S: I have the feeling that everyone gets along really well during practice and such.
K: I know what you mean.
R: Like Zenkoji temple.
S: Yeah, we all went for a walk together.
K: That was a lot of fun.
I: Do you care about your peers about the same age? Did you know at the beginning that this skater is your age, and is that a strong reason for you to become friends with him or her?
K: It seems that skaters get along quite naturally. It was like, while we were talking, I realized that when I talked with the kids around me, I found myself becoming friends with them.
R: Usually, yes. Especially for me, there were not many skaters of the same generation, or of the same generation in Eastern Japan. That's why I always talked with Sota, Kusshi, and other good skaters when I met them at the national championships, such as All-Japan Junioe High School and All-Japan Novice, partly because we are from the same generation, but also because they are both good skaters, so we talk all the time.
S: For me, I think that being in the same generation is... hmm, I mean, it's very reassuring to have peers, or to be able to participate in the same competitions, or to spend time together like this. I feel strongly that we have a kind of bond. Reo has now retired and is moving on to a new path, but everyone has his own path to pursue, and I feel that we are all there to support each other and do our best.
I: Hmmm, it is nice to be in the same age group. I think it's wonderful that the three of you are able to have a meaningful discussion at the top of the group, even though the number of members is getting smaller and smaller. (Continue to Part 2)
–End of translation -
Yes, people in Japan celebrate April fools' day. It is said that April fools' day came to Japan in Taisho period(1912-1926). It's called "四月馬鹿" which is a literal translation of April Fool. On April 1st, anyone can tell a lie (joke) or play a trick/prank to others for fun in Japan.
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Thanks a lot for the translations! I'd be lost without them.
I am surprised that Sota seems to have changed his boots when he only got a new pair in January. They're probably not Edeas as he briefly tried skating in them but left the brand to return to Jackson. The super informative Lutz Corner subforum here says that Edeas don't support the ankles as much as the tighter Jacksons, so that may be the reason. I wonder what he's switched to, then. And why. I can imagine there are problems with the supply chain and delivery intervals. Some person on GS mentioned they waited for long months for their custom Jackson order, so maybe Sota wanted to try a different brand for timely delivery reasons.
I just hope that boot brand swapping isn't a "I need to try and change something to get better results" kind of step. Changing coaches or boots won't help him there at this point when the problem is his head (at least I hope there's no health issue). I loved that NowVoice quote by Kazuki about resolution and attitude. I hope Sota paid good attention to it.
Part 2 of the talkshow: https://www.mem.unlim.team/post/kazukikushida_20220330
Translation (1 of 2):
I: I was wondering if you could answer some of the questions that were asked by the fans and membership members who are attending today. When I was meeting with the three of you earlier, you mentioned that the last time you met was at an intercollegiate event. I was wondering if there were any behind-the-scenes stories about what the three of you talked about?
K: Well, what did I talk about?
S: At the time of the intercollegiate competition, there were several separate locker rooms to prevent the Coronavirus spread, but Kusshi and Reo happened to be in the same room with me, and we talked a lot during the official practice sessions for the short and free program practice sessions. Kusshi and I made small talks before the competition, and Reo talked about how he had done after he performed, since it was before my turn to compete. I remember that we talked about things like, "Are you going to retire after this? Don't quit yet."
R: Well, we also met and talked a little after the competition.
K: We talked about how cold the rink was.
R: [smiles and nods]
S: Well, it was freezing over there.
K: There was only one stove on the rinkside of the rink, but I didn't feel any warm wind at all. [Sota and Reo grin] It was so cold.
S: Before practice, we all huddled in front of the stove.
K: We stayed there the whole time. Everyone.
I: I heard the chat where you said you ate butadon (t/n: pork bowl. See photo: https://www.justonecookbook.com/butadon-pork-donburi/)
S: Butadon. Yeah, I had butadon for three meals. Hahaha [everyone laughing loudly].
R: You ate too much.
S: Too yummy [everybody laughs].
R: If you do that this off-season, you're in trouble. Seriously.
S: Well, it's pretty bad to eat butadon three times a day even though it's seriously in the middle of the competition.
I: And you, Reo-kun?
R: Me, I had one. After the competition, what, after the competition? No, I ate once before the event.
K: I ate it before the competition too.
S: The sauce, you know, with a lot of sauce on it, it really makes you enjoy the meal, doesn't it?
K: Definitely.
S: Hehehe.
K: Definitely.
S: It was super yummy.
I: It also says here that the sauce is delicious. You all knew that, too.
S: It was indeed delicious. It was super tasty. [Reo nods]
I: Well, I know there are some restrictions placed on us these days because of the Coronavirus, but do you guys ever go out to eat or drink together after the competition? Did you do that ? In the past, or rather, before.
K: Yes, that used to happen often. Now that we are in the Coronavirus pandemic, we hardly ever get together in large groups or go out to eat these days, and what I used to do is suddenly gone, so I feel really lonesome. I’m not sure if I should say this, but going out to eat with everyone after competition is really the greatest fun.
S&R: Hahaha!
K: That's what I look forward to.
S: [grinning] I can work hard for that. When I was a junior, I was looking forward to it so much that it crossed my mind during my performance [Reo and Kusshi burst out in laughter] that we could all go out to eat together afterwards.
R: That's too funny!
K: Adorable.
S: That's why I gave it my all.
I: But when you talk about junior years, do you mean eating out at a family restaurant or something like that? It was like eating out with everyone?
S: We usually found a restaurant near the venue of the event and went there together. After the competition was over, we all went out together.
K: When was it? It was West Japan in Nagoya, wasn't it?
S: Yeah, that was West Japan, we went out together when we were juniors.
K: We did go out.
S: When we skated at Gaishi.
K: Yeah, yeah. We ordered cola like hell.
S: Hahahaha! We all drank about 10 bottles each [laughter]
K: We drank to death.
S: Bottled cola. Reo was not there, was he?
R: No, I wasn't.
S: Me, Kusshi, Taichiro, and who else was there? Kazuki, I mean, Tomono, and others.
K: Like Mitsuki.
S: Oh, Mitsuki was there.
K: Man, I have such fond memories.
S: That was fun!
K: Sota and I often see each other because we are in West Japan, but Reo is based in East Japan, so we don't have many chances to see each other.
S: Only in All-Japan, that kind of thing.
R: Well, if I participate in All-Japan, we can see each other often, but if I don't participate in All-Japan, we don't have a chance to see each other at all. There is a wall between the East and the West. I don't really like that. I don't like the wall.
S: I have never felt or given much thought to the fact that I don't get to see him. I don't get a chance to talk to him because I don't get to see him, but I still wish I could see him, and I know it would be fun if I could see him. So I always want to see him.
R: Hehehe. That's why we talk so much when we can see each other.
S: We talk a lot. I want to talk about all the things that have been piling up before the competition. Hehe.
K: Like, "Listen, listen to me!" If I can't wait, I will text you by LINE."
S: Ha-ha-ha, yeah, yeah.
R: Kusshi often says, "Listen, listen [laughter].
K: Yes, I do. I'm desperate lately. [laughter]
S: He texts me too.
K: I love my peers. I can only chat with my peers.
S: I'm not sure I can handle all of that [laughter]
K: Definitely I'm already up to my eyeballs.
S: Nah, I'll do my best to help you out [laughter].
K: I want to work hard. I'm gonna hang in there, I'm gonna hang in there.
- to be cont'd to 2 of 2 -
Translation (1 of 2):
I: I was wondering if you could answer some of the questions that were asked by the fans and membership members who are attending today. When I was meeting with the three of you earlier, you mentioned that the last time you met was at an intercollegiate event. I was wondering if there were any behind-the-scenes stories about what the three of you talked about?
K: Well, what did I talk about?
S: At the time of the intercollegiate competition, there were several separate locker rooms to prevent the Coronavirus spread, but Kusshi and Reo happened to be in the same room with me, and we talked a lot during the official practice sessions for the short and free program practice sessions. Kusshi and I made small talks before the competition, and Reo talked about how he had done after he performed, since it was before my turn to compete. I remember that we talked about things like, "Are you going to retire after this? Don't quit yet."
R: Well, we also met and talked a little after the competition.
K: We talked about how cold the rink was.
R: [smiles and nods]
S: Well, it was freezing over there.
K: There was only one stove on the rinkside of the rink, but I didn't feel any warm wind at all. [Sota and Reo grin] It was so cold.
S: Before practice, we all huddled in front of the stove.
K: We stayed there the whole time. Everyone.
I: I heard the chat where you said you ate butadon (t/n: pork bowl. See photo: https://www.justonecookbook.com/butadon-pork-donburi/)
S: Butadon. Yeah, I had butadon for three meals. Hahaha [everyone laughing loudly].
R: You ate too much.
S: Too yummy [everybody laughs].
R: If you do that this off-season, you're in trouble. Seriously.
S: Well, it's pretty bad to eat butadon three times a day even though it's seriously in the middle of the competition.
I: And you, Reo-kun?
R: Me, I had one. After the competition, what, after the competition? No, I ate once before the event.
K: I ate it before the competition too.
S: The sauce, you know, with a lot of sauce on it, it really makes you enjoy the meal, doesn't it?
K: Definitely.
S: Hehehe.
K: Definitely.
S: It was super yummy.
I: It also says here that the sauce is delicious. You all knew that, too.
S: It was indeed delicious. It was super tasty. [Reo nods]
I: Well, I know there are some restrictions placed on us these days because of the Coronavirus, but do you guys ever go out to eat or drink together after the competition? Did you do that ? In the past, or rather, before.
K: Yes, that used to happen often. Now that we are in the Coronavirus pandemic, we hardly ever get together in large groups or go out to eat these days, and what I used to do is suddenly gone, so I feel really lonesome. I’m not sure if I should say this, but going out to eat with everyone after competition is really the greatest fun.
S&R: Hahaha!
K: That's what I look forward to.
S: [grinning] I can work hard for that. When I was a junior, I was looking forward to it so much that it crossed my mind during my performance [Reo and Kusshi burst out in laughter] that we could all go out to eat together afterwards.
R: That's too funny!
K: Adorable.
S: That's why I gave it my all.
I: But when you talk about junior years, do you mean eating out at a family restaurant or something like that? It was like eating out with everyone?
S: We usually found a restaurant near the venue of the event and went there together. After the competition was over, we all went out together.
K: When was it? It was West Japan in Nagoya, wasn't it?
S: Yeah, that was West Japan, we went out together when we were juniors.
K: We did go out.
S: When we skated at Gaishi.
K: Yeah, yeah. We ordered cola like hell.
S: Hahahaha! We all drank about 10 bottles each [laughter]
K: We drank to death.
S: Bottled cola. Reo was not there, was he?
R: No, I wasn't.
S: Me, Kusshi, Taichiro, and who else was there? Kazuki, I mean, Tomono, and others.
K: Like Mitsuki.
S: Oh, Mitsuki was there.
K: Man, I have such fond memories.
S: That was fun!
K: Sota and I often see each other because we are in West Japan, but Reo is based in East Japan, so we don't have many chances to see each other.
S: Only in All-Japan, that kind of thing.
R: Well, if I participate in All-Japan, we can see each other often, but if I don't participate in All-Japan, we don't have a chance to see each other at all. There is a wall between the East and the West. I don't really like that. I don't like the wall.
S: I have never felt or given much thought to the fact that I don't get to see him. I don't get a chance to talk to him because I don't get to see him, but I still wish I could see him, and I know it would be fun if I could see him. So I always want to see him.
R: Hehehe. That's why we talk so much when we can see each other.
S: We talk a lot. I want to talk about all the things that have been piling up before the competition. Hehe.
K: Like, "Listen, listen to me!" If I can't wait, I will text you by LINE."
S: Ha-ha-ha, yeah, yeah.
R: Kusshi often says, "Listen, listen [laughter].
K: Yes, I do. I'm desperate lately. [laughter]
S: He texts me too.
K: I love my peers. I can only chat with my peers.
S: I'm not sure I can handle all of that [laughter]
K: Definitely I'm already up to my eyeballs.
S: Nah, I'll do my best to help you out [laughter].
K: I want to work hard. I'm gonna hang in there, I'm gonna hang in there.
- to be cont'd to 2 of 2 -
2 of 2
I: Also, many of the questions from the members were asking about your favorite programs. Besides your own programs, are there any programs of the other two that you really like? [Reo raises hand] How about you, Kushida-kun? By the two of you.
R: Kusshi, go ahead.
K: Reo just raised his hand, so Reo first.
S: Haha, you've got chosen.
R: The one I definitely can't miss is Sota's “Anthem.” Absolutely this one. [nods]
K: Ah, nice one. [Sota smiles]
R: I think this is seriously the best thing I've ever seen.
S: Thank you. I'm glad.
K: I love it!
R: Well, I was kind of blown away when I saw it for the first time. Since then Sota has performed it several times, at ice shows and so on. And I saw Sota's “Anthem” for the first time in All-Japan. He had been suffering a lot, and I think it was his comeback competition at All-Japan. I was watching it as a spectator in the audience.
K: I was watching it too.
R: I was watching from a seat near the rink, and even though I didn't have my boots on, I wanted to skate with him [laughter]. I really wanted to put on boots and skate with him. [Everyone laughs] I think Kusshi’s is that one, what was it? Something “Forever.” I can't come up with that name.
K: “Mission.”
R: You skated to the “Mission” song.
K: Yeah.
R: It left a great impression on me. I remember I was impressed that he could express himself so deeply, even though I had an image of him being really cool or powerful.
K: I wanted to use it so badly that I proposed it to my coach for the first time.
R: Oh, I see. Well, these are my views.
S: Then it's my turn, next? About Reo, umm, I haven't had a chance to see you guys skate, but recently I was able to see his short at the Inkare competition, the “Beatles Medley” in the audience, and for the first time in a long time, I thought skating was really nice [Reo smiles]. I thought that kind of tenacity in skating was something only Reo could do. I also saw his spins after a long time, and I felt that he was as fast and skillful as ever. [Reo shakes his head)
R: That's not for Sota to say.
S: [smiles] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
R: I'll send it right back to Sota, that compliment.
S: I reconfirmed that I love Reo's skating. Kusshi is...
K: Sorry for interrupting. I was off again.
S: Oh! If you could hear us, it's okay.
K: It's okay. I heard you guys.
S: You know, Kusshi, I've been saying this ever since he made this program, Kusshi's last season and this season's short, "Falling Like The Stars.," well, the short that he's been using for two years, and I really love it. The opening choreography already matches the song, and I feel like I'm immediately drawn into the song. I love the song itself, but I also love the choreography, which matches Kusshi's beautiful skating, and I love it to death [laughter].
K: Oh, dear, don't tell me you’re crazy about it [looks embarrassed].
S: Don't mind me. Kusshi sent me the song when I said I've always loved it [laughter].
K: Well, you are right.
S: I listened to the first part all the time. Kusshi's song for the short.
K: It's really beautiful, isn't it? I'm addicted to listening to it myself.
R: Kohei-sensei? Short.
K: Yes, all by Kohei-sensei. He created them with a grin on his face laughter] .
S: I saw you fall down in practice.[laughter]. It looked really difficult.
R: I saw it on Instagram too. I saw Kusshi fall down [laughter].
K: I've been falling all the time [laughter]. Am I next? Uh, yeah. When I saw Reo skating for the first time, he was quite soft and smooth, so it was the gap, you know. His “Poeta” really turns me on because of the different side of him. It makes my heart ache [Reo laughs loudly]. I really love “Poeta,” even more so because Sota also used Poeta, and it just looked a little different from Sota's version. I don't know how to describe it, but it's my own image that Reo's gliding is always so smooth, so I thought, "Oh, he is skating to Poeta," and I was drawn into it even more. I was struck by how amazingly good it was.
R: Tell the person beside me about “Poeta” [pointing to Sota].
S: I was a first-year high school student at the time, so I think Reo's program was definitely better than mine in terms of maturity, since he was older. I think Reo's program was definitely better [laughter].
R: You flatter me a lot, Sota [laughter].
S: No, I only say what I really think.
K: But I loved it so much. Poeta.
R: Thank you.
K: I loved their “Poeta.” But Sota, I think I'll go a little bit fanatical.
S: What? What?
R: Oh.
K: Where shall I go? I thought Sota's was also good because I used to use “Lorelei,” but I miss it so much. I thought I liked it because it was a nostalgic memory and I used it myself, but what I really liked was “Rachmaninoff.”
S: Which one? Which one?
K: Purple, and this, and this, and this [looks down and spreads his arms].
S: Yeah, yeah, yeah [burst into laughter]
K: Tenten-ten, paa♪ [laughter]
S: I like that one a lot myself. I always had my coach decide on songs in junior and Novice, but that was the first time I thought, "Oh, I like this song," and brought it to Kenji-sensei. I was still in the first year of high school, but I think it was a good program that I could only do at that time.
K: Well, it was really good.
S: Thank you.
K: I really like the new song now, but that one is good too.
S: Thank you. I wonder if there will be a day when I can perform it somewhere again [laughter].
K: I'd like to see that.
S: I can't get into the costume, though.
K: It's too tight.
S: It would be ripped [laughing loudly].
- End of Part 2 -
I: Also, many of the questions from the members were asking about your favorite programs. Besides your own programs, are there any programs of the other two that you really like? [Reo raises hand] How about you, Kushida-kun? By the two of you.
R: Kusshi, go ahead.
K: Reo just raised his hand, so Reo first.
S: Haha, you've got chosen.
R: The one I definitely can't miss is Sota's “Anthem.” Absolutely this one. [nods]
K: Ah, nice one. [Sota smiles]
R: I think this is seriously the best thing I've ever seen.
S: Thank you. I'm glad.
K: I love it!
R: Well, I was kind of blown away when I saw it for the first time. Since then Sota has performed it several times, at ice shows and so on. And I saw Sota's “Anthem” for the first time in All-Japan. He had been suffering a lot, and I think it was his comeback competition at All-Japan. I was watching it as a spectator in the audience.
K: I was watching it too.
R: I was watching from a seat near the rink, and even though I didn't have my boots on, I wanted to skate with him [laughter]. I really wanted to put on boots and skate with him. [Everyone laughs] I think Kusshi’s is that one, what was it? Something “Forever.” I can't come up with that name.
K: “Mission.”
R: You skated to the “Mission” song.
K: Yeah.
R: It left a great impression on me. I remember I was impressed that he could express himself so deeply, even though I had an image of him being really cool or powerful.
K: I wanted to use it so badly that I proposed it to my coach for the first time.
R: Oh, I see. Well, these are my views.
S: Then it's my turn, next? About Reo, umm, I haven't had a chance to see you guys skate, but recently I was able to see his short at the Inkare competition, the “Beatles Medley” in the audience, and for the first time in a long time, I thought skating was really nice [Reo smiles]. I thought that kind of tenacity in skating was something only Reo could do. I also saw his spins after a long time, and I felt that he was as fast and skillful as ever. [Reo shakes his head)
R: That's not for Sota to say.
S: [smiles] Yeah, yeah, yeah.
R: I'll send it right back to Sota, that compliment.
S: I reconfirmed that I love Reo's skating. Kusshi is...
K: Sorry for interrupting. I was off again.
S: Oh! If you could hear us, it's okay.
K: It's okay. I heard you guys.
S: You know, Kusshi, I've been saying this ever since he made this program, Kusshi's last season and this season's short, "Falling Like The Stars.," well, the short that he's been using for two years, and I really love it. The opening choreography already matches the song, and I feel like I'm immediately drawn into the song. I love the song itself, but I also love the choreography, which matches Kusshi's beautiful skating, and I love it to death [laughter].
K: Oh, dear, don't tell me you’re crazy about it [looks embarrassed].
S: Don't mind me. Kusshi sent me the song when I said I've always loved it [laughter].
K: Well, you are right.
S: I listened to the first part all the time. Kusshi's song for the short.
K: It's really beautiful, isn't it? I'm addicted to listening to it myself.
R: Kohei-sensei? Short.
K: Yes, all by Kohei-sensei. He created them with a grin on his face laughter] .
S: I saw you fall down in practice.[laughter]. It looked really difficult.
R: I saw it on Instagram too. I saw Kusshi fall down [laughter].
K: I've been falling all the time [laughter]. Am I next? Uh, yeah. When I saw Reo skating for the first time, he was quite soft and smooth, so it was the gap, you know. His “Poeta” really turns me on because of the different side of him. It makes my heart ache [Reo laughs loudly]. I really love “Poeta,” even more so because Sota also used Poeta, and it just looked a little different from Sota's version. I don't know how to describe it, but it's my own image that Reo's gliding is always so smooth, so I thought, "Oh, he is skating to Poeta," and I was drawn into it even more. I was struck by how amazingly good it was.
R: Tell the person beside me about “Poeta” [pointing to Sota].
S: I was a first-year high school student at the time, so I think Reo's program was definitely better than mine in terms of maturity, since he was older. I think Reo's program was definitely better [laughter].
R: You flatter me a lot, Sota [laughter].
S: No, I only say what I really think.
K: But I loved it so much. Poeta.
R: Thank you.
K: I loved their “Poeta.” But Sota, I think I'll go a little bit fanatical.
S: What? What?
R: Oh.
K: Where shall I go? I thought Sota's was also good because I used to use “Lorelei,” but I miss it so much. I thought I liked it because it was a nostalgic memory and I used it myself, but what I really liked was “Rachmaninoff.”
S: Which one? Which one?
K: Purple, and this, and this, and this [looks down and spreads his arms].
S: Yeah, yeah, yeah [burst into laughter]
K: Tenten-ten, paa♪ [laughter]
S: I like that one a lot myself. I always had my coach decide on songs in junior and Novice, but that was the first time I thought, "Oh, I like this song," and brought it to Kenji-sensei. I was still in the first year of high school, but I think it was a good program that I could only do at that time.
K: Well, it was really good.
S: Thank you.
K: I really like the new song now, but that one is good too.
S: Thank you. I wonder if there will be a day when I can perform it somewhere again [laughter].
K: I'd like to see that.
S: I can't get into the costume, though.
K: It's too tight.
S: It would be ripped [laughing loudly].
- End of Part 2 -
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
Thank you Rainbow!
I have a number of thoughts about these excerpts.
- I'm hopeful that Sota & co. don't overdo it with Coke these days anymore. I am astounded how they 'survived' 10 bottles each!
- I wonder if Sota/Kushida and Reo will be able to see each other occasionally, now that Reo's retired.
- I agree with the boys' choices for favorite Sota programs. Those are my favorites too. I am happy that Kushida mentioned Sota's current free, too.
- which program is Kushida referring to? He says Rachmaninov, but the humming, the purple costume, and the opening pose description sounds rather like the Tchaikovsky FS. I think the boys mean Tchaikovsky, as that's the program that Miyamoto choreographed. The Rachmaninov FS from the season before was choreographed by Rika's mom Yuko Hongo. I loved that one too, BTW. Little Sota was super-fast in it.
- Hmm, Sota says he cannot wear the 2015 Tchaikovsky costume anymore, but at the beginning of last season, he was wearing his Poeta costume before his Dark Eyes costue got made. Different material, perhaps?
- I am regretful Kushida couldn't skate at Kokutai as that was watchable abroad for free. Inkare is only saved in a few videos thanks to the kindness of a fan, and Nationals videos are hounded on YT by the rabid copyright programs of the Japanese channels. I wonder what the 'Falling Like the Stars' program was like since Sota liked it so much.
- maybe it's just my imagination, but it sometimes seems to me that programs with lyrics about 'falling' attract falls
I have a number of thoughts about these excerpts.
- I'm hopeful that Sota & co. don't overdo it with Coke these days anymore. I am astounded how they 'survived' 10 bottles each!
- I wonder if Sota/Kushida and Reo will be able to see each other occasionally, now that Reo's retired.
- I agree with the boys' choices for favorite Sota programs. Those are my favorites too. I am happy that Kushida mentioned Sota's current free, too.
- which program is Kushida referring to? He says Rachmaninov, but the humming, the purple costume, and the opening pose description sounds rather like the Tchaikovsky FS. I think the boys mean Tchaikovsky, as that's the program that Miyamoto choreographed. The Rachmaninov FS from the season before was choreographed by Rika's mom Yuko Hongo. I loved that one too, BTW. Little Sota was super-fast in it.
- Hmm, Sota says he cannot wear the 2015 Tchaikovsky costume anymore, but at the beginning of last season, he was wearing his Poeta costume before his Dark Eyes costue got made. Different material, perhaps?
- I am regretful Kushida couldn't skate at Kokutai as that was watchable abroad for free. Inkare is only saved in a few videos thanks to the kindness of a fan, and Nationals videos are hounded on YT by the rabid copyright programs of the Japanese channels. I wonder what the 'Falling Like the Stars' program was like since Sota liked it so much.
- maybe it's just my imagination, but it sometimes seems to me that programs with lyrics about 'falling' attract falls
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
New online talkshow by FS Life, this time with Sota and Taichiro: https://twitter.com/fskating_Life/status/1511897956253040642?cxt=HHwWhIDQscnLq_spAAAA
It says they'll talk of next season as well. I'd love to know what they'll be saying about that, as it might be Taichiro's last one, and Sota will face the challenge of keeping Koshiro, Tatsuya and Keiji behind him while trying to do his best to overtake Sena and at least one of the young quadsters. And that would be necessary *just* to make the top 6 in Japan, and become 3rd sub for major events
... This is one of the times that make me frustrated that this stuff doesn't get a version with English subtitles, but it'd probably be expensive and, for the team, not worth the money. 
It says they'll talk of next season as well. I'd love to know what they'll be saying about that, as it might be Taichiro's last one, and Sota will face the challenge of keeping Koshiro, Tatsuya and Keiji behind him while trying to do his best to overtake Sena and at least one of the young quadsters. And that would be necessary *just* to make the top 6 in Japan, and become 3rd sub for major events
... This is one of the times that make me frustrated that this stuff doesn't get a version with English subtitles, but it'd probably be expensive and, for the team, not worth the money.
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
I'm so happy that Sota is doing so many events in the off-season! He seems to be in a good place mentally 
Part 3 https://www.mem.unlim.team/post/kazukikushida_20220331
Translation (1 of 2):
I: I also have a question about the costumes. I wonder what your favorite costumes are, and if you can say that this one from this program is your favorite. Do you always think about some particular points when you decide on a costume?
S: Kusshi, go ahead.
K: I used to have a lot of stones and stuff, but recently I feel like it's too heavy. I've been thinking that I'm always going for the lighter side, or that it would be fine as long as I could capture some kind of essence of the program. I was thinking about it when I made the blue shirt and black pants for the short, this time. My coach suggested it to me. Since then, I have not focused on lightness, but I have been thinking that just wearing a costume is enough, and that is good enough. I'm not too particular about it; as long as it's easy to move around in, I'm fine with it.
R: I understand the idea of lightness.
K: Yeah, yeah.
R: Well, the lighter the better.
K: Yeah, yeah. [nods] The easier it is to move around, the better.
R: How about you, Sota? Do you feel that way? Like the lighter the better.
S: Me, hmm, of course I prefer lightweight one, and for this year's programs, I chose very simple costumes with no stones to match both songs. But usually, I wear Orihara-san's costumes, and since there are a lot of stones and stuff, they are a little on the heavy side. I don't mind if it is a little heavy. I think it's fine as long as the costume matches the vibe of the song. I would also ask that the pants be rather tight. Pretty much at every competition, I'd look at my picture, and if I think the pants are a little too baggy, I ask for them to be adjusted. What about Reo?
R: Me? I'm happy with lightweight ones, but I'm also okay with a little heavier one as long as it reflects the atmosphere of the song. I have been fortunate to have Ito-san make my costumes, so I leave a lot to her design sense, and she makes super nice costumes every time, so I'm very happy to wear them.
I: Do you have any comments on the costumes of other skaters, not necessarily the three of you, but do you have any comments on the costumes of other skaters that you think are good? Like, how you admire that outfit.
S: Kusshi, go ahead.
K: Costume? Because I am not very particular about it, I feel even more strongly that if you place importance on lightness or ease of movement, then Nathan is the man.
S&R: Hahahaha.
S: I knew you would say that.
K: I like that Nathan doesn't use his costume to show off his performance, but rather shows off himself, or rather, I like that he uses all of his technical skills alone. Only Nathan can do that, and I can't move like that, like yay-yay-yaying on the choreo at the end.
S&R: Hahahaha!
R: "Yay yay."
K: Only Nathan could pull that off [everyone laughs].
S: "Rocket Man."
K: It is hard to believe that we are really the same age.
R: Ah, you are right. Same age.
K: So we are the same age.
S: Oh, I see. Why don't we invite Nathan? [all bursting out laughing]
R: Go get him, Sota. You can do it, can't you, Sota?
S: Today we are doing "Shoten" [laughter]. (t/n: "Shoten" is a popular long-running Japanese television show, in which rakugo storytellers must give an immediate witty reply to a question and get some laughs.)
R: Oh, I see [laughter].
K: I gotta cheer him (Nathan) on.
R: Right.
S: I'll take this opportunity to talk about the costumes of both of you. I love Kusshi's short so much, and I love that simple blue costume. About Reo's, it's "Singin' in the Rain" from this year's free skate. Reo's is this year's free skate, "Singin' in the Rain.” I can't imagine myself in that kind of color scheme, but I think it matches Reo very well, and I think it fits him.
K: The yellow color was really good, the vest.
R: Maybe I'm a bit of a fanatic, but I liked Lambiel's "Four Seasons," the winter.
K: Zebras?
R: Yes. the one with zebra and tiger. (see photo)
K: Oh, okay.
R: I really like the one with the blue color put in it, and I had watched it on YouTube quite a bit, and I was amazed that even though I couldn't do it, Lambiel was so good that he could handle it.
K: Let me add something... [a message saying that a white screen is displayed, but please understand that it is temporary] when was it that Sota performed in an ice show? Well, no, at the All-Japan Middle School Championships gala, you know, the one he wore with a blue hat in ice shows back in the day.
S: Hehehe. "Thunderbird."
K: They were so cute, I loved them.
S: Hahahaha. I just watched it for the first time in a long time a few days ago, because it suddenly came up as a recommendation on my YouTube.
K: I love it, he was so cute.
S: [laughter] I was cute, so cute. I was doing okay.
K: He glided so smoothly [Sota chuckles]. I guess that's about it.
I: Thank you very much. Okay, I still have another topic on skating to talk about, or rather, I have a question for you. If the three of you were to do a collaborative program, what kind of music and what kind of content would it be? Can you imagine what it would be like?
K: You mean the three of us skating together?
S: If there is a show or something. I mean assuming there is a show or something. [Ro and Kusshi nod.]
K: Ah.
S: If there is an opportunity for the three of us to collaborate and skate together.
K: Oh, isn't it difficult? This one. [Reo cocks his head to the side.]
S: I wonder how we would do it. I think that the three of us are pretty good at, well, anyone can jump, so I would like to suggest a program that can showcase our skating skills and spread eagles or something like that. Well, it would be interesting if we could skate together, and have some parts to attract the audience, with spins and so on, so that the true beauty of skating would come out. [Reo and Kusshi nod.] I think it would be good if the three of us could skate together. Well, this is just my delusional imagination [laughter].
K: Makes sense. Ah, the spread eagle would certainly make a great visual impact.
S: We'll all look cool doing spread eagles [everyone smiles].
K: I'm probably gonna go for a joke. I might do compulsory figures [everyone breaks out into laughter].
S: Alone? [laughter]
K: I might do compulsory figures by myself [All explode with laughter]. I do it even during the six minutes warm-up time of the competition.
S: He was doing solitary compulsory figures in the 6-minute warmup of the Inkare and the Nationals as well [laughter].
R: I thought, "How can he have the time for that?" (laughter)
K: Don't you feel kind of relaxed? When you practice compulsory figures?
S: No, He can spare time for that. It's amazing he can afford the time for doing that.
R: The way you use your time...
S: Doing compulsory figures in practice right before competition.
K: I was laughed at the first time I did compulsory figures at the All-Japan Championships. The judges laughed at me. I drew three turns in front of them and it came out of my mouth, "Oops! I screwed up!" and they laughed at me [laughter].
S: Actually, there is no rule that says you have to practice jumps [Reo and Kusshi nod]. It doesn't matter if you do compulsory figures, circle eight or snake.
K: People were staring at me so hard. "Whoa!" like that. (laughter)
S: He is cool on the contrary [laughter].
R: Compulsory figures are important.
K: Yes, compulsory figures are important.
- to be cont'd to 2 of 2 -
Translation (1 of 2):
I: I also have a question about the costumes. I wonder what your favorite costumes are, and if you can say that this one from this program is your favorite. Do you always think about some particular points when you decide on a costume?
S: Kusshi, go ahead.
K: I used to have a lot of stones and stuff, but recently I feel like it's too heavy. I've been thinking that I'm always going for the lighter side, or that it would be fine as long as I could capture some kind of essence of the program. I was thinking about it when I made the blue shirt and black pants for the short, this time. My coach suggested it to me. Since then, I have not focused on lightness, but I have been thinking that just wearing a costume is enough, and that is good enough. I'm not too particular about it; as long as it's easy to move around in, I'm fine with it.
R: I understand the idea of lightness.
K: Yeah, yeah.
R: Well, the lighter the better.
K: Yeah, yeah. [nods] The easier it is to move around, the better.
R: How about you, Sota? Do you feel that way? Like the lighter the better.
S: Me, hmm, of course I prefer lightweight one, and for this year's programs, I chose very simple costumes with no stones to match both songs. But usually, I wear Orihara-san's costumes, and since there are a lot of stones and stuff, they are a little on the heavy side. I don't mind if it is a little heavy. I think it's fine as long as the costume matches the vibe of the song. I would also ask that the pants be rather tight. Pretty much at every competition, I'd look at my picture, and if I think the pants are a little too baggy, I ask for them to be adjusted. What about Reo?
R: Me? I'm happy with lightweight ones, but I'm also okay with a little heavier one as long as it reflects the atmosphere of the song. I have been fortunate to have Ito-san make my costumes, so I leave a lot to her design sense, and she makes super nice costumes every time, so I'm very happy to wear them.
I: Do you have any comments on the costumes of other skaters, not necessarily the three of you, but do you have any comments on the costumes of other skaters that you think are good? Like, how you admire that outfit.
S: Kusshi, go ahead.
K: Costume? Because I am not very particular about it, I feel even more strongly that if you place importance on lightness or ease of movement, then Nathan is the man.
S&R: Hahahaha.
S: I knew you would say that.
K: I like that Nathan doesn't use his costume to show off his performance, but rather shows off himself, or rather, I like that he uses all of his technical skills alone. Only Nathan can do that, and I can't move like that, like yay-yay-yaying on the choreo at the end.
S&R: Hahahaha!
R: "Yay yay."
K: Only Nathan could pull that off [everyone laughs].
S: "Rocket Man."
K: It is hard to believe that we are really the same age.
R: Ah, you are right. Same age.
K: So we are the same age.
S: Oh, I see. Why don't we invite Nathan? [all bursting out laughing]
R: Go get him, Sota. You can do it, can't you, Sota?
S: Today we are doing "Shoten" [laughter]. (t/n: "Shoten" is a popular long-running Japanese television show, in which rakugo storytellers must give an immediate witty reply to a question and get some laughs.)
R: Oh, I see [laughter].
K: I gotta cheer him (Nathan) on.
R: Right.
S: I'll take this opportunity to talk about the costumes of both of you. I love Kusshi's short so much, and I love that simple blue costume. About Reo's, it's "Singin' in the Rain" from this year's free skate. Reo's is this year's free skate, "Singin' in the Rain.” I can't imagine myself in that kind of color scheme, but I think it matches Reo very well, and I think it fits him.
K: The yellow color was really good, the vest.
R: Maybe I'm a bit of a fanatic, but I liked Lambiel's "Four Seasons," the winter.
K: Zebras?
R: Yes. the one with zebra and tiger. (see photo)
K: Oh, okay.
R: I really like the one with the blue color put in it, and I had watched it on YouTube quite a bit, and I was amazed that even though I couldn't do it, Lambiel was so good that he could handle it.
K: Let me add something... [a message saying that a white screen is displayed, but please understand that it is temporary] when was it that Sota performed in an ice show? Well, no, at the All-Japan Middle School Championships gala, you know, the one he wore with a blue hat in ice shows back in the day.
S: Hehehe. "Thunderbird."
K: They were so cute, I loved them.
S: Hahahaha. I just watched it for the first time in a long time a few days ago, because it suddenly came up as a recommendation on my YouTube.
K: I love it, he was so cute.
S: [laughter] I was cute, so cute. I was doing okay.
K: He glided so smoothly [Sota chuckles]. I guess that's about it.
I: Thank you very much. Okay, I still have another topic on skating to talk about, or rather, I have a question for you. If the three of you were to do a collaborative program, what kind of music and what kind of content would it be? Can you imagine what it would be like?
K: You mean the three of us skating together?
S: If there is a show or something. I mean assuming there is a show or something. [Ro and Kusshi nod.]
K: Ah.
S: If there is an opportunity for the three of us to collaborate and skate together.
K: Oh, isn't it difficult? This one. [Reo cocks his head to the side.]
S: I wonder how we would do it. I think that the three of us are pretty good at, well, anyone can jump, so I would like to suggest a program that can showcase our skating skills and spread eagles or something like that. Well, it would be interesting if we could skate together, and have some parts to attract the audience, with spins and so on, so that the true beauty of skating would come out. [Reo and Kusshi nod.] I think it would be good if the three of us could skate together. Well, this is just my delusional imagination [laughter].
K: Makes sense. Ah, the spread eagle would certainly make a great visual impact.
S: We'll all look cool doing spread eagles [everyone smiles].
K: I'm probably gonna go for a joke. I might do compulsory figures [everyone breaks out into laughter].
S: Alone? [laughter]
K: I might do compulsory figures by myself [All explode with laughter]. I do it even during the six minutes warm-up time of the competition.
S: He was doing solitary compulsory figures in the 6-minute warmup of the Inkare and the Nationals as well [laughter].
R: I thought, "How can he have the time for that?" (laughter)
K: Don't you feel kind of relaxed? When you practice compulsory figures?
S: No, He can spare time for that. It's amazing he can afford the time for doing that.
R: The way you use your time...
S: Doing compulsory figures in practice right before competition.
K: I was laughed at the first time I did compulsory figures at the All-Japan Championships. The judges laughed at me. I drew three turns in front of them and it came out of my mouth, "Oops! I screwed up!" and they laughed at me [laughter].
S: Actually, there is no rule that says you have to practice jumps [Reo and Kusshi nod]. It doesn't matter if you do compulsory figures, circle eight or snake.
K: People were staring at me so hard. "Whoa!" like that. (laughter)
S: He is cool on the contrary [laughter].
R: Compulsory figures are important.
K: Yes, compulsory figures are important.
- to be cont'd to 2 of 2 -
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Is anyone else slightly panicking with Sota's IG stories... He posted two 4F attempts with pretty hard falls. Sota please have mercy on us 
Part 3 (2 of 2)
K: Isn't it hard to find good music, though?
S: Music, umm, we would have to use the music that we have skated to.
K: Sota's music selection is good, so I think it would be good to let him choose the music.
S: Ahaha. Whatcha talkin' 'bout? I dunno. Songs I've picked? Yeah, there are some, but, nah, nah, nothing special. I just use songs that seem easy to skate to [laughter].
K: But your music is a good match every time.
S: Maybe Kusshi just likes me too much.
K: Ah, that's mutual, isn't it [everyone laughs]?
S: We are both in love with each other [everyone breaks into laughter].
S: Say something about Reo too.
R: Reo is good, too. I like Reo, too really. I like his music selection, but I don't think I can handle his music. No can do.
R: Oh, well, that's mutual, isn't it? We all are.
S: Well, Reo has a large repertoire, while my music selection range is a little narrow.
R: Narrow?
S: Well, I have my own view on how to express myself, but Reo is versatile and can handle comical, cheerful tunes, or beautiful music. That's how I feel about him [Reo and Kusshi nod].
K: True. He has a broad range. Reo has a wide range of parts or songs that he can use.
R: Well, it would be great if you could skate to a lot of different songs. If you can skate to a variety of songs, you learn more about music.
K&S: Yeah.
R: But Sota, too, you know, you skated to the music like "Dark Eyes."
S: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
R: I really liked that one.
K: Yep..
S: Uh, seriously, that was quite a challenge for me, and to be honest, there were some parts that were hard for me to do even during practice, but so many people liked it, and, well...
R: It was awesome [nods].
S: It was somewhat difficult for me, but well, people around me said it was really good.
K: I think it was good.
S: I guess it turned out to be good.
K: Yeah, because we were able to practice together at that time, so I know.
S: Yeah, yeah, right.
K: I liked this one too [blows a kiss]. [Sota bursts into laughter].
K: We practiced together all the time. I'll be mimicking you for the rest of my life.
R: What, what, what?
S: "East of Eden." It was when I was using the music, "East of Eden," and when I was doing backward crossover before the Axel, I did something like throwing a kiss, and Kusshi was mimicking it over and over again. It was hilarious how he exaggerated it a bit [laughter].
K: I want to do it again.
S: When the practice was over and after coming out of the rink, he repeated the exaggerated mimicking of it forever, and we were laughing our heads off the whole time [laughter].
K: I miss it so much.
S: I have fond memories of that [laughter].
K: It was really funny, the practice back then.
S: Shall we go to the next question [everyone laughs out loud]? I got sidetracked too much.
I: No, not at all.
S: I apologize.
I: No problem at all. I'm going to start a new topic, not about the program. What do you do on your off days? Well, now that the season is over, I would like to ask if there are any other things you would like to do from now on besides skating. Do you have any?
S: Kusshi, anything?
K: I, umm...well, I think I would like to hang out and have fun with my peers. I want to spend hours chatting, and I'm personally into a song called "Cinderella Boy" by Saucy Dog [Sota laughs out loud], and I want to sing it with you guys with a lot of passion [everyone laughs]. It looks like Sota is into it too.
S: Hahahaha!
K: I thought we would hit it off. I'd like to sing it together with my peers, and we can all sing our hearts out to it together, Including you, Reo. I want to get everyone involved.
R: KinPri? (t/n: "King & Prince," a popular Japanese boy band) KinPrli? "Cinderella Boy" by who? KinPri?
K: Alright, let's see. Saucy Dock, you know.
S: Isn't it "Cinderella Girls" [everyone laughs]? I don't know. I don't know. I wonder what it is. I forgot.
K: Saucy Dog, that's the one.
R: Ah.
K: It's all the rage now.
S: It's catching on.
R: Tell me about it someday.
K: Yeah, I'll fill you in. It's a really good song.
R: Really?
S: Also, a song called "Someday" by Saucy Dog is good.
K: "Someday," right.
S: It's really good.
K: And "Contact Case" is also good.
S: Hmmm, wait a minute. I'm such a trend follower that I'm gonna listen to that one too.
K: Yeah.
S: Send it to me through LINE.
K: Okay. I'm on it.
R: Send it to me too.
K: Okay, okay. I'll send it to you. I guess that's about it. I would like to hang out with my peers during the off-season.
S: Well, of course I would like to get together with the three of us, and if I go back to Kansai or Osaka, I want to meet up with Kusshi, and Rao, too, if possible [Reo nods]. Well, what do I do in the off-season? I haven't been able to go to the sauna recently. I like saunas a lot and used to go there often, but I haven't been able to do that these days. What is it? Oh, the movie, "10 Years to Live".
K: Ah [Reo nods]
S: It killed me! I cried in the movie, for the first time in a movie.
R & K: Hmm.
S: I've been moved in the past, of course, each time by any movie. But I don't cry at all [laughter]. But for the first time, I cried buckets.
K: Geez.
S: My mask was drenched [laughter]. It was a great movie, so if you have a chance to see it, please do.
K: Oh, I wanna see it so bad!
R: Yeah [nods].
S: It was really good. Seriously, it made me cry. I was crying all the way through the second half.
R & K: Wow.
K: RAD (RADWIMPS), I think, is the singer.
S: I'd like to try my hand at playing the guitar, too. I've been saying that for a long time, but it's hard to find the time.
K: Uh-huh.
S: And Reo?
R: I would like to get together with everyone if possible, and if we have a day off, I would like to eat out with them. Well, also [laughter] … Are we supposed to talk about what we want to do on our off-days?
S: Yes, things you want to challenge yourself with.
I: Yes, things you want to try. Something you want to try your hand at.
R: I see. I, well, I would like to be able to dance a little better on the ice and on land as well, so [Sota and Kusshi nod with serious faces] I think I would like to go to a dance school if I have some time.
S: You were a pretty good dancer, as usual. Years ago, you were like that too.
R: I have been dancing, but I'm very slow at learning choreography.
S: Huh?
K: Oh, really?
R: Little by little. Really, a little bit at a time.
S: Why don't you just do it yourself already? If it's too hard for you to memorize it [laughter].
R: With creativity.
S: It's better that way, isn't it?
R: Oh, that's better?
S: Think about going in that direction [laughter].
K: Seriously.
S: Like the choreography.
R: Uh, choreography?
S: It will work, absolutely.
R: The choreography, well, it's something I've always aspired to do, but you can never lose the levels, can you? The step elements, and so on.
S: Ah.
R: I have to study those things too. Well, I'm just getting started, but I'd like to learn more and more. I guess it's just the beginning [Sota and Kusshi nod].
I: Thank you very much.
- End of Part 3, 2 of 2 -
NOTE: Since the Part 4, the last part, is accessible only to the paying members, sharing is unavailable. Sorry.
K: Isn't it hard to find good music, though?
S: Music, umm, we would have to use the music that we have skated to.
K: Sota's music selection is good, so I think it would be good to let him choose the music.
S: Ahaha. Whatcha talkin' 'bout? I dunno. Songs I've picked? Yeah, there are some, but, nah, nah, nothing special. I just use songs that seem easy to skate to [laughter].
K: But your music is a good match every time.
S: Maybe Kusshi just likes me too much.
K: Ah, that's mutual, isn't it [everyone laughs]?
S: We are both in love with each other [everyone breaks into laughter].
S: Say something about Reo too.
R: Reo is good, too. I like Reo, too really. I like his music selection, but I don't think I can handle his music. No can do.
R: Oh, well, that's mutual, isn't it? We all are.
S: Well, Reo has a large repertoire, while my music selection range is a little narrow.
R: Narrow?
S: Well, I have my own view on how to express myself, but Reo is versatile and can handle comical, cheerful tunes, or beautiful music. That's how I feel about him [Reo and Kusshi nod].
K: True. He has a broad range. Reo has a wide range of parts or songs that he can use.
R: Well, it would be great if you could skate to a lot of different songs. If you can skate to a variety of songs, you learn more about music.
K&S: Yeah.
R: But Sota, too, you know, you skated to the music like "Dark Eyes."
S: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
R: I really liked that one.
K: Yep..
S: Uh, seriously, that was quite a challenge for me, and to be honest, there were some parts that were hard for me to do even during practice, but so many people liked it, and, well...
R: It was awesome [nods].
S: It was somewhat difficult for me, but well, people around me said it was really good.
K: I think it was good.
S: I guess it turned out to be good.
K: Yeah, because we were able to practice together at that time, so I know.
S: Yeah, yeah, right.
K: I liked this one too [blows a kiss]. [Sota bursts into laughter].
K: We practiced together all the time. I'll be mimicking you for the rest of my life.
R: What, what, what?
S: "East of Eden." It was when I was using the music, "East of Eden," and when I was doing backward crossover before the Axel, I did something like throwing a kiss, and Kusshi was mimicking it over and over again. It was hilarious how he exaggerated it a bit [laughter].
K: I want to do it again.
S: When the practice was over and after coming out of the rink, he repeated the exaggerated mimicking of it forever, and we were laughing our heads off the whole time [laughter].
K: I miss it so much.
S: I have fond memories of that [laughter].
K: It was really funny, the practice back then.
S: Shall we go to the next question [everyone laughs out loud]? I got sidetracked too much.
I: No, not at all.
S: I apologize.
I: No problem at all. I'm going to start a new topic, not about the program. What do you do on your off days? Well, now that the season is over, I would like to ask if there are any other things you would like to do from now on besides skating. Do you have any?
S: Kusshi, anything?
K: I, umm...well, I think I would like to hang out and have fun with my peers. I want to spend hours chatting, and I'm personally into a song called "Cinderella Boy" by Saucy Dog [Sota laughs out loud], and I want to sing it with you guys with a lot of passion [everyone laughs]. It looks like Sota is into it too.
S: Hahahaha!
K: I thought we would hit it off. I'd like to sing it together with my peers, and we can all sing our hearts out to it together, Including you, Reo. I want to get everyone involved.
R: KinPri? (t/n: "King & Prince," a popular Japanese boy band) KinPrli? "Cinderella Boy" by who? KinPri?
K: Alright, let's see. Saucy Dock, you know.
S: Isn't it "Cinderella Girls" [everyone laughs]? I don't know. I don't know. I wonder what it is. I forgot.
K: Saucy Dog, that's the one.
R: Ah.
K: It's all the rage now.
S: It's catching on.
R: Tell me about it someday.
K: Yeah, I'll fill you in. It's a really good song.
R: Really?
S: Also, a song called "Someday" by Saucy Dog is good.
K: "Someday," right.
S: It's really good.
K: And "Contact Case" is also good.
S: Hmmm, wait a minute. I'm such a trend follower that I'm gonna listen to that one too.
K: Yeah.
S: Send it to me through LINE.
K: Okay. I'm on it.
R: Send it to me too.
K: Okay, okay. I'll send it to you. I guess that's about it. I would like to hang out with my peers during the off-season.
S: Well, of course I would like to get together with the three of us, and if I go back to Kansai or Osaka, I want to meet up with Kusshi, and Rao, too, if possible [Reo nods]. Well, what do I do in the off-season? I haven't been able to go to the sauna recently. I like saunas a lot and used to go there often, but I haven't been able to do that these days. What is it? Oh, the movie, "10 Years to Live".
K: Ah [Reo nods]
S: It killed me! I cried in the movie, for the first time in a movie.
R & K: Hmm.
S: I've been moved in the past, of course, each time by any movie. But I don't cry at all [laughter]. But for the first time, I cried buckets.
K: Geez.
S: My mask was drenched [laughter]. It was a great movie, so if you have a chance to see it, please do.
K: Oh, I wanna see it so bad!
R: Yeah [nods].
S: It was really good. Seriously, it made me cry. I was crying all the way through the second half.
R & K: Wow.
K: RAD (RADWIMPS), I think, is the singer.
S: I'd like to try my hand at playing the guitar, too. I've been saying that for a long time, but it's hard to find the time.
K: Uh-huh.
S: And Reo?
R: I would like to get together with everyone if possible, and if we have a day off, I would like to eat out with them. Well, also [laughter] … Are we supposed to talk about what we want to do on our off-days?
S: Yes, things you want to challenge yourself with.
I: Yes, things you want to try. Something you want to try your hand at.
R: I see. I, well, I would like to be able to dance a little better on the ice and on land as well, so [Sota and Kusshi nod with serious faces] I think I would like to go to a dance school if I have some time.
S: You were a pretty good dancer, as usual. Years ago, you were like that too.
R: I have been dancing, but I'm very slow at learning choreography.
S: Huh?
K: Oh, really?
R: Little by little. Really, a little bit at a time.
S: Why don't you just do it yourself already? If it's too hard for you to memorize it [laughter].
R: With creativity.
S: It's better that way, isn't it?
R: Oh, that's better?
S: Think about going in that direction [laughter].
K: Seriously.
S: Like the choreography.
R: Uh, choreography?
S: It will work, absolutely.
R: The choreography, well, it's something I've always aspired to do, but you can never lose the levels, can you? The step elements, and so on.
S: Ah.
R: I have to study those things too. Well, I'm just getting started, but I'd like to learn more and more. I guess it's just the beginning [Sota and Kusshi nod].
I: Thank you very much.
- End of Part 3, 2 of 2 -
NOTE: Since the Part 4, the last part, is accessible only to the paying members, sharing is unavailable. Sorry.
