All Activity

*Machine translation, inaccuracies exist. Please do not reply in this thread.* A Very Short Preface This book, “Dear Yuzuru Hanyu,” includes many essays that were originally serialized in Yama to Keikokusha and Shueisha publications. The first half, in particular, is largely the same as the original, up to chapter four. From chapter five onwards, everything is newly written. New interviews were conducted. I had intended to revise and add to the serialized pieces, but my feelings at the time were, even to my own surprise, so intense that I gave up on the idea.

* Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: Quadruple Axel 2018: Miracle Olympic Season Summaryn, pg 48-51 [In-Depth Commentary] Minoru Sano: “On Japan’s Gold and Silver in PyeongChang Men’s Singles” At the PyeongChang Olympics, Yuzuru Hanyu won the gold medal and Shoma Uno won the silver medal. This historic achievement, the first of its kind in Japanese figure skating history, brought tears of joy to the eyes of men’s singles pioneer Minoru Sano, who said, “It was a dream come true.” Let’s relive this remarkable achievement by his successors through his passionate commentary! Profile: Born in 1955 in Yamanashi Prefecture. From 1972, he won the All Japan Figure Skating Championships in the men’s singles category five consecutive times and competed in the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympics. In the 1977 World Championships, he became the first Japanese skater to win a bronze medal. After retiring from competition, he worked as a professional skater and contributed to the production and staging of ice shows. He is currently the head coach at the Meiji Jingu Gaien Ice Skating Rink and is also highly regarded for his clear and easy-to-understand commentary.

* Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: Quadruple Axel 2018: Miracle Olympic Season Summaryn, pg 20-25 [Special Feature] Noriko Shirota, Head Coach, ANA Skating Team “The Road to Yuzuru Hanyu’s Back-to-Back Olympic Gold” Noriko Shirota, head coach of the ANA Skating Team, approached the PyeongChang Olympics with strong determination. Now that Yuzuru Hanyu has achieved the historic feat of winning back-to-back Olympic titles, she looks back on those turbulent days. PROFILE From 1994 to 2006, she served as the Director of Figure Skating Strengthening for the Japan Skating Federation. She established nationwide training camps to discover promising young talent and devoted her efforts to developing skaters in the novice and junior categories. This served as a stepping stone to international competitions, expanding opportunities for athletes to compete on the world stage. At the 2006 Turin Olympics, she played a key role in Shizuka Arakawa’s gold medal victory. She also served for many years as an ISU referee and judge. In March 2016, she was appointed head coach of the ANA Skating Team.

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* 2021.03.31 Source: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/27059 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230123224443/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/27059 The "too-low score" issue for Yuzuru Hanyu: A living legend of the figure skating world points out the trends in judging. Skepticism is erupting from people involved in the sport both domestically and internationally regarding the scoring of Yuzuru Hanyu (26, ANA), the two-time Olympic gold medalist in men's figure skating. It had long been a common belief among fans that "Hanyu's scoring is harsh," but the low score he received in the short program (SP) at the recent World Championships (Stockholm) has caused a sudden surge in controversy. In this turbulent situation, we asked a living legend of the figure skating world for his opinion. Hanyu returned to Japan at Haneda Airport on the 30th. After testing negative in an antigen test before entering the country, he appeared at the arrival gate wearing a mask and commented, "Thank you very much. Thank you for your hard work. I will be quarantined (as a measure against the coronavirus). Thank you." According to the Japan Skating Federation, he was taken from the airport to a hotel for quarantine in a dedicated vehicle. At this year's World Championships, Hanyu made several mistakes in the free skate, allowing his rival Nathan Chen (21, USA) to win his third consecutive title and taking the bronze medal. He was not in perfect physical condition, suffering an asthma attack after his performance, and the jump mistakes were clearly his own fault, but the problem was the short program. He landed all his jumps perfectly—a quadruple Salchow, a quadruple-triple toe loop combination, and a triple Axel (a 3.5 rotation jump)—and took the lead, but his score was only 106.98 points. He also missed some levels in his step sequence, and some officials argued that “he should have received around 110 points.” 　 When asked about this matter, former international judge Hideo Sugita (86), who is well-versed in the history of figure skating, said, "Honestly, when I saw the GOE (Grade of Execution), I thought, 'Why?' The evaluation wasn't the same as the skaters who performed in the first half. I felt like they should have looked more carefully." 　 As he pointed out, the opening quadruple Salchow received only +2.22 GOE. Shockingly, two judges even awarded it 0, and this fact spread on social media. In addition, his program component score of 47.96 was only 1.53 points higher than Chen’s, who had fallen during his performance. Why did this happen? 　 One active judge argues that "the bar has been raised to its limit for Hanyu's performance," but Sugita believes that "the absence of Japanese judges this time may also have had an effect. Also, judging has become extremely detailed recently, and it seems more like nitpicking mistakes rather than looking for the good points." He added, "Hanyu performs his jumps as part of a continuous flow. That kind of technique should be evaluated more highly. However, even if he is dissatisfied, he will never voice it. That's what's admirable about him." 　 After the competition, Hanyu appeared to have moved on and even expressed a strong determination to achieve the first-ever quadruple Axel (a 4.5-rotation jump), even stating, “My ultimate goal is the quadruple Axel rather than Olympic gold.” If he felt he had reached the limits of what others could evaluate him on and decided to pursue a "dream" he could achieve on his own, how will the figure skating world receive this "silent message"? It is likely to continue to spark considerable debate.

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: Quadruple Axel 2019: A Compilation of the Fierce Season, pg 28-31 [Special Guest] Hideo Sugita: "The reason for his strength — The essence of Yuzuru Hanyu" Hideo Sugita, who played a key role in the early development of Japanese figure skating and helped lay the foundation for men’s singles, unravels the secret behind Yuzuru Hanyu’s strength through the keen eye he developed during his long career as an ISU referee. Profile: Born in 1935 in Tokyo. Honorary referee of the Japan Skating Federation. During his competitive career, he was active in men’s singles and won the All-Japan Championships in 1956. After retiring from competition, he served as a judge for many years and participated as an international judge at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games. He is currently a commentator for figure skating broadcasts on J SPORTS, and his accurate and insightful commentary has earned strong trust from viewers.

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: Quadruple Axel 2019: A Compilation of the Fierce Season, pg 38-39 [Special Guest] Kikuo Makabe: “The Enthralling World of Fantasy on Ice” Kikuo Makabe, President and CEO, CIC Co., Ltd. This year, the full-fledged ice show season has begun, and Fantasy on Ice has kicked off. We spoke with Kikuo Makabe of CIC about the behind-the-scenes workings of this elaborately crafted show, including the much-talked-about collaboration between Toshl and the skaters.

* Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: Quadruple Axel 2019: Special Issue for the Start of the Exciting Season, pg 38-41 [Special Feature] Kikuo Makabe: “Supporting Ice Shows - The Professionals Behind-the-Scenes ” Kikuo Makabe, President and CEO, CIC Co., Ltd. Kikuo Makabe has produced numerous ice shows, including "Fantasy on Ice" and "Dream on Ice." How are these dream stages that captivate so many spectators created? We spoke with him about his passionate dedication to ice shows and their origins. Profile: Born in Tokyo. After graduating from university, he worked at a broadcasting station and an event production company, before establishing CIC Co., Ltd. in 1999. He has been involved in the planning and management of various sports events, primarily figure skating, but also baseball, soccer, rugby, and table tennis.

[NEWS]

Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/フィギュアスケート男子ファンブック-Quadruple-Axel-2019-熱戦のシーズンイン特集号-ebook/dp/B07LBN9DYR/ Men’s Singles Special Magazine, Reissue Vol. 2! The figure skating scene has entered a new four-year cycle leading up to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. In this book, we shine a spotlight on Japanese male skaters—from top athletes competing on the world stage to promising junior skaters. Through exclusive interviews, dialogues, and in-depth coverage reports, we explore the appeal of these skaters! CONTENTS [Exclusive Long Interview] Daisuke Takahashi — “Everything Was for This Day” [Coach Interview] Utako Nagamitsu — “The Long and Winding Road” [Designer Interview] Minako Orihara & Taketoshi Hara — “Creating Unprecedented Costumes” [In-Depth Report] Yuzuru Hanyu — “The Absolute Champion, Unbreakable Spirit” Shoma Uno — “The Power to Believe in Oneself” [Exclusive Interviews] Keiji Tanaka — “To Surpass Myself” Kazuki Tomono — “With Pride, Moving Further Forward” Sota Yamamoto — “Now, the Curtain Rises Again” Hiroaki Sato — “A Challenge Toward Maturity” Ryuju Hino — “A Fresh Start to the Season” Yu Nakamura — “Continuing to Chase an Idol’s Back” Jun Suzuki — “Valuing Each and Every Step” [Junior Men’s Interviews] Tatsuya Tsuboi — “Where Effort Becomes Talent” Shun Sato — “Armed With a New Big Skill” Koshiro Shimada — “The Resolve to Stand at the Top” Mitsuki Sumoto — “Turning Adversity Into Strength” [Junior Men’s Dialogues] Yuto Kishina × Sena Miyake — “Takasaki Boys: Good Friends, Good Rivals” Yuma Kagiyama × Kao Miura — “From Kanagawa to the World, Together” [Want to Know More! Japan’s Elite Men] Koshi Yamada / Taichiro Yamakuma / Taichi Honda / Tsunenari Karakawa / Kento Kobayashi / Eiji Kamata / Yoji Nakano [In-Depth Analysis] Takahiko Kozuka — “Prospects for Men’s Singles” [Special Gallery] Tatsuki Machida — “Double Bill” [Special Feature] “The Behind-the-Scenes Professionals Supporting Ice Shows” Kikuo Makabe [New Series] “The Power of Choreographers Who Refine Individuality” #01 Yuka Sato [Event Report] Rinkai Sports Center Renovation Commemorative Event J SPORTS “Kenji’s Room” Recording Set Report [Competition Reports] All Japan Junior Championships / All Japan Novice Championships [Regular Feature] 2018/2019 Season Men’s Singles Skater Guide

Zero-kun and Kaku-chan picking mushrooms. So cute!

Absolutely gorgeous!

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: FIGURE SKATING TRACE OF STARS 2020-2021, pg 18-23 [The Determination Gained at the World Championships] Yuzuru Hanyu: "Just One-Eighth More Rotation" Following the All Japan Championships, this was his second competition of the season, and he faced the grand stage of the World Championships. He led after the short program, but a slight lapse in form led to a bronze medal. Even so, what he discovered through that experience was a renewed, burning desire to realize his dream. Yuzuru Hanyu Born December 7, 1994, in Miyagi Prefecture. He won back-to-back Olympic gold medals at the 2014 Sochi and 2018 PyeongChang Games. He also won the Grand Prix Final four consecutive times from 2013 to 2016. He became World Champion in 2014 and 2017. In February last year, he won the Four Continents Championships, achieving the first-ever “Super Slam” in men’s figure skating. In this season’s All Japan Championships, he claimed his fifth title, his first in five years. Height: 172 cm. Coaches: Brian Orser, Tracy Wilson, Ghislain Briand Choreographers: Jeffrey Buttle (SP), Shae-Lynn Bourne (FS) Programs this season: “Let Me Entertain You” (SP), “Heaven and Earth” (FS) Personal best scores: 322.59 (total), 111.82 (SP), 212.99 (FS)

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: FIGURE SKATING TRACE OF STARS 2020-2021, pg 26-27 [Innovation Explained by the Arranger] Keiichi Yano: "A Unique Expression of Japanese Style" “A unique expression of Japanese aesthetics” The pursuit of a new expression of “wa” (Japanese aesthetics) began with “SEIMEI,” the iconic program that has become synonymous with Yuzuru Hanyu. The arranger who supports the creation of the music spoke about the intentions behind this season's "Ten to Chi to" (Heaven and Earth) and shares his vision for the “completed form” he hopes to see realized in the coming season. Profile: Born in 1957 in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Sound designer and music editing programmer. He has worked as a sound engineer since 1977. Since 1985, he has been involved in figure skating, and currently works as a freelancer, handling figure skating audio production and creating program music for many skaters, including Yuzuru Hanyu.

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: FIGURE SKATING TRACE OF STARS 2020-2021, pg 24-25 [Speaking of a Reunion After a Year] Brian Orser: "The Magical Moment to Come" Due to the closure of rinks during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent strict restrictions, a year passed without him being able to return to his training base at the Cricket Club. His coach, who finally reunited with him at the World Championships, reflects on his protégé's growth.

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: https://www.kiiya.co.jp/jitsurei01/ Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220522224056/https://www.kiiya.co.jp/jitsurei01/ "Thank you for your support! Yuzuru Hanyu Exhibition" Costume display mannequin From April 11, 2018, the "Thank You for Your Support! Yuzuru Hanyu Exhibition" was held at the Nihonbashi Takashimaya 8th Floor Hall. The exhibition mainly featured over 100 powerful news photographs taken by Yomiuri Shimbun photographers over the 10 seasons from when Yuzuru Hanyu won his first All-Japan Junior Championships in 2008 until he achieved his second consecutive Olympic victory at the Pyeongchang Games in February. This time, we'd like to share an episode about how we created a display mannequin of the costume that Yuzuru Hanyu actually wore in competitions. Through this process, we encountered the physical form of the extraordinary figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, and gained a new and valuable experience regarding the creation and presentation of the human body.

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: FIGURE SKATING TRACE OF STARS 2021-2022, pg 28-29 Artists Talk About Yuzuru Hanyu's Past Programs Murakami Mai x 'Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso' & 'Heaven and Earth' "Like a Painting That Captures a Single Moment" In artistic gymnastics, the floor exercise is the only event performed to music. The Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, who specialized in this discipline, praises Hanyu's wide range of expression, saying, "Perhaps there is no piece of music that doesn't suit him." What does she see in Hanyu when viewed through the perspective of two judged sports—gymnastics and figure skating? Profile: Born on August 5, 1996, in Kanagawa Prefecture. Gymnastics instructor. Contributed to Japan's 4th-place finish in the team event at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Won the floor exercise title at the 2017 World Championships. The following year, she became the first Japanese woman to win a silver medal in the individual all-around at the same championships. Won a bronze medal in the floor exercise at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Retired in October of the same year. Currently serves as a coach at Nippon Sport Science University.

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: FIGURE SKATING TRACE OF STARS 2021-2022, pg 26-27 Artists Talk About Yuzuru Hanyu's Past Programs Ushida Tomoharu x 'Parisienne Walkways' “Absolute beauty that never loses its rationality” A signature program performed with deep emotion, set to the melancholic sound of the guitar. A genius pianist, who has also arranged the piece for piano, praises the performance, saying, "I feel a composure that completely controls technique and expression." Profile: Born October 16, 1999, in Fukushima Prefecture. Pianist. Debuted with a CD in March 2012 at the age of 12, the youngest Japanese classical pianist to do so. Won second place at the 2018 Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, the highest ranking ever achieved by a Japanese competitor. Received the 29th Idemitsu Music Award in March 2019. Performs both domestically and internationally.

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: FIGURE SKATING TRACE OF STARS 2021-2022, pg 24-25 Artists Talk About Yuzuru Hanyu's Past Programs Ishimaru Kanji x 'The Phantom of the Opera' "Riding the 'Wind' of the Phantom of the Opera" In the free skate “The Phantom of the Opera,” performed in the season following the Sochi Olympics, how did Yuzuru Hanyu perceive the protagonist, the Phantom, and the world of the work? An actor active across many fields, including musical theatre, shared his thoughts that echoed those impressions. Profile: Born August 15, 1965, in Ehime Prefecture, actor and singer. He made his debut in 1990 with the Shiki Theatre Company in "The Phantom of the Opera." After leaving the company in 2007, he has been active in stage, film, and music, and has also hosted TV programs such as "Untitled Concert" and "Genki no Jikan." He is scheduled to appear this summer in the stage production "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child."

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: FIGURE SKATING TRACE OF STARS 2021-2022, pg 22-23 Artists Talk About Yuzuru Hanyu's Past Programs Nozomi Futo x 'SEIMEI' “A Figure That Overlapped with Beethoven” Inspired by SEIMEI, the celebrated program that also brought victory at the PyeongChang Olympics, the former Takarazuka top star portrayed Beethoven in her farewell performance. What is the unique charm of Hanyu, as told by this renowned actress who continues to be inspired by him? Profile: Born on October 19 in Kanagawa Prefecture. She joined the Takarazuka Revue in 2003 and became the top star of the Snow Troupe in 2017. She retired from the company in April 2021 with the production “fff – Fortississimo: Sing with Joy!”. Currently active primarily in stage productions. From June, she will play Miss Adelaide in the musical "Guys and Dolls".

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: FIGURE SKATING TRACE OF STARS 2020-2021, pg 32-33 Artists Talk About the Beauty of Yuzuru Hanyu's Past Programs Reon Yuzuki x "Romeo and Juliet" "The figure of Juliet appearing on the ice" An immortal masterpiece he performed twice in his teens. Coincidentally, the acclaimed actress who twice played the lead role in the same work felt a unique worldview in Romeo on the ice. Profile: Reon Yuzuki Born in Osaka Prefecture. In 1999, she joined the Takarazuka Revue and was assigned to the Star Troupe as an otokoyaku (female performer specializing in male roles). In 2009, she became the top star of the Star Troupe. She retired from the company in 2015 after performing in “Kurohyō no Gotoku” and “Dear DIAMOND!!”. She is currently active mainly in stage performances. She will appear in the ice show “LUXE”, to be held at Yokohama Arena from May 15–17.

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist* Source: FIGURE SKATING TRACE OF STARS 2020-2021, pg 28-31 Artists Talk About the Beauty of Yuzuru Hanyu's Past Programs Shunji Iwai x "Hana wa Saku" A skater who embodies strength, suppleness, and beauty through delicate movements that seem to carry awareness to the very tips of his fingers. Artists working in different fields are also captivated by the worldview he creates and the many exquisite programs that reach the realm of art. “Thoughts that do not land, jumps that do land” This March marked 10 years since the earthquake, and Yuzuru Hanyu performed “Hana wa Saku” (“Flowers Will Bloom”). What does the filmmaker who wrote its lyrics and has delivered numerous acclaimed works, think of the performance of fellow Sendai-born artist Yuzuru Hanyu? Profile: Shunji Iwai Born January 24, 1963 in Miyagi Prefecture. In 1993, he won the Japan Film Directors Association New Director Award for "Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?". In 1995, “Love Letter” became a major hit in Japan and abroad. In 2012, he produced the documentary “Friends after 3.11 Theatrical Version.” In 2020, he released “Last Letter.”

Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B092ZDQWDQ/ Content: FIGURE SKATING TRACE OF STARS: The Ice Rink of Determination. Figure Skating 2020-2021 Season Highlights [Detailed Report on the World Team Trophy] Yuzuru Hanyu: "Illuminated by the Guiding Light" [Determination Gained at the World Championships] Yuzuru Hanyu: "Just One-Eighth More Rotation" [Speaking of Reunion After a Year] Brian Orser: "The Magical Moment to Come" [Innovation Explained by the Arranger] Keiichi Yano: "A Unique Expression of Japanese Style" Artists Talk About the Beauty of Yuzuru Hanyu's Past Programs Shunji Iwai x "Hana wa Saku" Reon Yuzuki x "Romeo and Juliet" Daisuke Nagamine x "The Phantom of the Opera" Satoshi Nakabachi x "Notte Stellata" [Men's Power Map Explained by Takeshi Honda] "Each Person's Strengths Revealed at the World Championships"