Umebachi

Jeff said the new SP has a very different energy from Chopin. He zipped his mouth after that comment, so we are left guessing. The {not Chopin} set is very large.

I found this great article about state of Japanese-English translation using Machine Learning and AI. I totally agree with the author: "As a translator of Japanese light novels and manga, I’ve found that many (or even most) sentences in Japanese need to be completely reimagined from scratch. Scrap word-order, ignore dictionary definitions, and add a lot of context that tends to be only implicit in Japanese but is grammatically necessary for English—and that’s just the beginning." I also find that I have to rewrite the sentence / paragraph from scratch when translating Yuzu related articles/videos from Japanese to English. Otherwise we lose the nuance and at times the entire meaning of that expression. https://unseenjapan.com/will-ai-technology-ever-translate-japanese-accurately/

I am sure he will have new costumes for his new programs. It will take additional time and extra effort but it should be quite feasible to have the fitting done over Zoom and having the costume mailed back and forth to make the adjustments.

I think this is unlikely at a very formal occasion like the JNats. Perhaps he could be open to a more casual approach at a non-national event, but he is someone who feels the weight of the People's Award and JNats represents the pinnacle of Japanese skating. There will be a great deal of social pressure to demonstrate the highest level of Japanese aesthetics as well as athletic prowess at this event. I imagine that for him, wearing something casual would be akin to showing disrespect toward JNats. Well, this is my own speculation - based on the cultural moraes drilled into me in my childhood - but I am of a different generation and I might be completely off base! It's just fun to take note of different cultural points of view.

A recent interview with Nomura Mansai on the planned layout for the opening ceremony for Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He speaks about his vision of returning to the origin of the Olympic spirit - away from commercialization and refocusing on the athletes. He also speaks about simplicity and frugality. There is a section where Mansai speaks about his experience working with Hanyu-senshu on Seimei. Specifically he makes reference to their shared senssibilities toward the creative process. I have extracted the interesting paragraph that throws new insights on the way they shared that process (with my quick translation below). …あれだけ広い空間を一人で埋めないといけない。天地人という垂直軸と水平軸もあり、宇宙に向かう気持ち、氷という地面もあり、観客という人への意識もある。ジャンプするということは天への意識だ。そんな話をした。フィギュアスケートには職人的な技術力も必要だが、芸術性もある。単に回っていればいい、跳んでいればいいではない。アドバイスしたらすぐ変わった。元々その意識を持っていたから、僕の言ったことが響いた。そういう意味では羽生選手と僕は共通する。意識が近かった。 (In reference to single Figure Skating) there is a need to fill that enormous expanse of space (the rink) on one's own. (This space) is composed of the vertical axis and the horizontal axis called "Ten-Chi-Jin" (Heaven-Earth-Human) and comprises a feeling of opening towards the cosmic universe (heaven); there is also this "earth" called ice; and the consciousness of "humanity" in the form of the spectators. To jump is to reach toward the heaven... We talked about such things. Figure skating requires a very high (craftsman-like) level of technicality, but it also has to have artistry: it is not simply about turning or simply about jumping. He (Hanyu) was able to absorb and incorporate these changes as soon as I gave advice. Since he was already highly attuned to these sensibilities, my words immediately resonated /reverberated within him. In that sense, Hanyu and I have a common understanding. We are very close in our (artistic) sensibiltiies. PS Mansai uses words that evoke musical notes and beating of the drum. I tried to capture some of that feeling in the translation. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d1719d2e35a1b17cca503fd5705429db362a9715 This post has been tagged by yuzuangel as [NEWS].

Sounds very interesting & promising for the future of figure skating. I look forward to more of artistically evolved and sophisticated shows. (Curious to know what they are doing now, during Covid... hope they are doing ok? The article was from 2019.)

Shoma is travelling back to Japan with his toy poodle, "Toro"! Getting ready for JNats...

Nice video from Shoma interviewing Satton. In the first part he is continuing his interview with Satton about her new choreography. In the last section, he talks about how low he had fallen at the IdF Grand Prix in France last year. He almost quit skating after that event, but he felt so much love and support from his fans that helped him overcome the hardship and find new inspiration to continue skating. He decided to make these regular videos to share his life and views with fans as a way to show his gratitude for their support. The boy has grown up into a more caring and mindful person! Good for you, Shoma! Being part of Team Champery was also part of this big change in life, and will be an important part of his development. BTW: He's made a series of adorable videos with his toy poodle (who travelled from Japan to Switzerland!), and in the recent one he indicated that he will be home soon (probably travelling back to Japan soon for JNats?).

[NEWS] A Japanese fan captured the news bulletin on JR (Japan Railways) train. Yuzu has made it on the front page even on a regular commuter train news channel! Local fans are aware that he may not actually compete, but the news item is lifting up our spirits to see that he is still an active competitor.

Whether he competes or not at JNats, it was good to see how much attention he can draw from the Japanese media by just having his name on the roster of potential participants. With the new restrictions being put in place throughout Japan this week, will the infection rates be brought under control in a month's time? Probably not, but hopefully the curve will be flattening by then. Still, this means that Yuzu will not likely compete, and Shoma will remain in Champery...

Daisuke Takahashi and Kana Muramoto will debut their program at the NHK Trophy on Nov 26 (BS NHK).

[NEWS] Japanese TV just announced that Yuzu will be competing at the Japanese Nationals in Dec! Yuzu is entry number 20:

I think we should delete the post. The admin has been diligent in keeping our Forum respectful of other skaters and I hope you will continue to do so. The post has invited unwelcome attention to PH that plays into the anti-fanyu narrative.

Happy to help out with translations where needed (native Japanese speaker).

These gentlemen are thanking Yuzu for supporting the Hanyu Yuzuru Line Stamp Project which funded disaster relief activities. Their community had suffered severe flooding damage from last year's Typhoon #19 and they lacked the means of transportation for their recovery efforts. Through the funds, they were able to purchase this small truck to assist in their recovery activities. In these photos they wanted to convey their thanks to Yuzu.

Mao Asada’s Thanks Tour will be live-streamed this Sunday. I managed to purchase the ticket!

Source: https://tourdetohoku.yahoo.co.jp/2019/info/pedal/ This is Yuzuru Hanyu's handwritten message to Tour de Tohoku organizers. (See below: English translation follows the Japanese transcription.) Yuzu makes references to Onoda-kun and Midosuji-kun - who are among the top characters in Yowamushi Pedal, and they appear with Yuzu in several illustrations. Through this event, Yuzu has truly entered into the world of anime - as a cyclist - even though in real life he doesn't know how to ride a bike! lol Japanese transcription ツール・ド・東北フレンズとして応援している、ツール・ド・東北のポスターに、「弱虫ペダル」の世界のみんなと一緒に、初めて登場させていただくことになりました。 「弱虫ペダル」は大好きな作品で、前へ踏み出す強さ、一つのゴールへ向かっていく力の大きさ、をいつも感じています。 限界を超えていく方々と、東北の皆さんを小野田くんや御堂筋くんたちと応援できることが、とてもうれしく、幸せです！ ライダーの方々の"力"を感じ、応援することで、一つになって、"東北の力"になる。そんなツール・ド・東北を応援しています！ 東北に大きな力が集まるように。小野田くんたちと、僕と、応援してくださる皆さんで、ツール・ド・東北に力を！ English translation I will be appearing for the first time on the posters of Tour de Tohoku, which we support as Friends of Tour de Tohoku along with everyone in the world of "Yowamushi Pedal". "Yowamushi Pedal" is my favorite work as it always gives me the strength to step forward and the feeling of great power in chasing a singular goal. Together with Onoda-kun and Midosuji-kun, I am so happy and delighted to be able to support all the people (cyclists) who are pushing to exceed their limits as well as the people of Tohoku. By supporting and feeling the "power" of the cyclists, we become one and turn our energies into "the power of Tohoku". I am cheering for such a “Tour de Tohoku”! Wishing for the gathering of great power in Tohoku, Onoda-kun and I, along with everyone who supports us: all power to Tour de Tohoku!

Source: https://tourdetohoku.yahoo.co.jp/2019/info/pedal/ 9. "Let's move forward, at our own pace". 9. 進もう。ペースは自由だ。 震災から8年半。街の立て直しが進む地域も、 まだまだこれからの地域もある。でも、それでいい。 ペースはそれぞれでいいのだと東北の街は私たちに教えてくれる。 9. Let's move forward, at our own pace. It has been eight and a half years since the earthquake. There are areas where the reconstruction is progressing, and other areas that have yet to start. But that is fine. The towns and cities of Tohoku teach us that it is all right to go at our own pace.

Source: https://tourdetohoku.yahoo.co.jp/2019/info/pedal/ ８．Ishi-no-maki City - "We don't need any words." 8.「がんばれ」「立ち上がれ」…… 被災したこの街に、そんな言葉を思わずかけてしまいそうになる。 しかし実際に降り立った時、むしろ言葉を失っただろう。 無限の希望を与えてくれる美しい景色が、そこにはある。 8. “Go for it (Ganbare)!” “Rise up!” Those words may spill out of you when you see this damaged city. But when you actually arrive here, you would be lost for words. Because you will find - spread before you - a beautiful scenery that bestows infinite hope.

Source: https://tourdetohoku.yahoo.co.jp/2019/info/pedal/ 7. Kesennuma City (This is my absolute favorite of the series of illustrations because it captures both the beauty and sadness of the place. Yuzu is leading the group of cyclists along the field of blooming flowers, with his face turned back toward the cyclists, with a gentle smile. The school building in the background is Koyo High School - one of the most severely damaged buildings in the area, which has been turned into a museum to remind everyone about the scars from the tsunami. Last summer, I saw the giant mural of this illustration in Shinjuku station - and I was overwhelmed by its sheer beauty: the colors - pink and yellow blooms close up and out of focus, the red, green and yellow jerseys of the cyclists moving forward, and the looming grey and beige school building in the back. There were many people surrounding this mural in the middle of a very busy underground passageway of Shinjuku Station, and the place felt like an art museum...) 7. 涙はいつか、花咲かす。 奥に見えている宮城県気仙沼向洋高校旧校舎は、 「気仙沼市東日本大震災遺構・伝承館」として被害の様子を残している。 人々の努力によって街が再び整えられ、新しい広場や建物ができていく中でも、 その美しい景色の背景で起きた現実を忘れずにいたい。 7. The tears will one day make the flowers bloom. In the background you can see the former school building of Keiyo Senkai High School in Miyagi prefecture. The building has been preserved in its damaged state as "Kesennuma City Great East Japan Earthquake Remains and Traditional Museum". While the efforts of the people to rebuild the city are giving rise to new plazas and buildings, we don’t want to forget the stark reality of happened behind this beautiful scenery. (Fortunately, the school was well-prepared for the earthquake and tsunami, and all the students and staff managed to escape before the tsunami hit the building. The power of tsunami can be seen in the following photo which shows a car thrown into the classroom - on the third floor of the building!) Source: https://visitmiyagi.com/feature/tsunami-museum-at-the-ruins-of-koyo-high-school/

Source: https://tourdetohoku.yahoo.co.jp/2019/info/pedal/ 6. Higashi-Matsushima-shi (Eastern Matsushima City) "There is something I want to express with my back". (Yuzu is the second cyclist in the illustration.) 6. 背中で伝えたいことがある。 東日本大震災から立ち上がってゆく、東北の街。 さまざまな地域で災害が起き続けている時代だからこそ、 その背中が、日本中の人々に多くのことを教えてくれる。 6. There is something I want to express with my back: The resurgence of this town in Tohoku from the devastation of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake. Because we live in an era when disasters continue to strike throughout various regions, this back of mine could serve to teach many things to people all over Japan.

Source: https://tourdetohoku.yahoo.co.jp/2019/info/pedal/ Onagawa City: "This sweat will turn into our bond (kizuna)." 5. その汗が、絆になる。 見ず知らずの人々が、仲間になっていく。 それは、ツール・ド・東北でも復興活動においても同じこと。 逆境をともに乗り越えることで、絆が生まれるのだ。 5. This sweat will turn into our bond. People who had never met before are becoming friends. This is true for both Tour de Tohoku as well as Tohoku Reconstruction activities. Deep, lifelong bonds (kizuna) are created by riding out all the adversities together.

Source: https://tourdetohoku.yahoo.co.jp/2019/info/pedal/ (This is the view from a tour boat in Matsushima - surrounded by the ocean and the multitude of seagulls. I have taken this boat ride myself, and this illustration captures that delightful and nostalgic moment - the play of light shimmering off the ocean waves and the flapping wings of seagulls). 4. 待ってたよ、と風が言う。 誰でもあたたかく迎え入れてくれる東北。 この地の風や日差しに包まれると、まるで故郷に帰ったような心地よさを感じる。 塩釜港から奥松島へ、遊覧船に自転車を積み込むライドなら 360度を海に囲まれてより一層、東北の自然とつながる感覚に。 4. "The wind whispers: "I was waiting for you..." Tohoku - where everyone is welcomed so warmly. When you are surrounded by the breeze and sunshine of this place, you will feel at ease as though you had returned home. For the segment from Shiogama Port to Oku-Matsushima, you can load your bicycles onto the sight-seeing tour boat and be surrounded 360 degrees of ocean. Then you can feel even more connected to the natural beauty of Tohoku.

Source: https://tourdetohoku.yahoo.co.jp/2019/info/pedal/ Minami-Sanriku 南三陸町 3．一緒に走ってる。どんな時も。 あなたの大切な人は、いつだって心の傍にいる。 辛い時や困難にぶつかった時でも、一緒にいてくれることを感じられれば、 もっと強く、次の一漕ぎを踏み出せるはずだ。 3. We are always running together. No matter what (through thick and thin). Your loved one is always nestled close to your heart. If you could feel that closeness, then even during times of difficulty and when you are suffering, you should be able to take the next step (next dip of the oar) with greater strength.

source: https://tourdetohoku.yahoo.co.jp/2019/info/pedal/ Sendai City - "We will never forget. No matter how many years may pass..." 2. ここは、津-波で大きな被害を受けた仙台市東部沿岸の藤塚地区。 「避難の丘」として、8年経ったいまも震災の記憶を私たちに伝えてくれる。 ここで起きたことは、何年経っても絶対に、絶対に忘れてはいけないと心に誓いたい。 一緒に走ってる。どんな時も。 2. This is the Fujitsuka area on the eastern coast of Sendai City, which was severely damaged by the tsunami. Even after 8 years, this "Evacuation Hill" transmits the memories of the disaster. We swear that what happened here should never, ever, be forgotten, no matter how many years may pass. We are continuing to run together, always together at every moment.