barbara

I am not a Japanese satellite - but I do know that Yuzu is a very diligent student. And acquiring a good education is very important to him and to his family. Maybe lots of students have to cram (I didn't know there were schools for that) but think of Yuzu's full life. He practices. A lot. He spends an enormous amount of time on his programs and his physical conditioning. And he goes home. He doesn't have a social life as what most other students do. He doesn't go out. He doesn't party. He studies. He does his work. And he is bright. Yuzu knows how to focus and genuinely applies himself to his studies. I think his grades are exemplary but not inhuman - just reflective of a very bright young man, taking his education seriously, who pushes himself to achieve. What is a "cram school"?

I can get past the mustard/pickle thing. We can just order separately. And his family supporting him? Yes, lots of sacrifice, but as a mom of a son who is accomplished in his own field, I think they feel as I do - It's been my privilege and joy to support my son pursuing his dream. If you're lucky enough to have someone with a gift and the drive to pursue it, the sacrifice is not a burden. The Hanyus have done so much for their son but I'm sure it has been without reservation and without regret.

Yeah! I love being right (most of the time). I have watched a number of videos with Yuzu visiting badly damaged areas near his home and remember this visit - and the tweet translated to "Ishinomaki City Minato Junior High School". That school was demolished in the tsunami and many students died. So sad.

I could be wrong about this (and I suppose if I could read Japanese, there would be more clarity) but I thought this was a visit to a school that had been badly damaged during the earthquake and, in addition to the messages for Sochi they sent him, the re-building of the school was why he visited. Something to cheer the students who had been through so much, But I might be wrong...

And he never gives details bout his sister, either. I think that the most positive thing that has come out of the quarantine in Japan (and everywhere) is that this has been an opportunity for Yuzu to spend time with all his family. It must be very comforting for him to be spending such an anxious time with the people who mean the most to him.

Thank you. Salting has been great for preserving all varieties of foods forever - but I guess I never thought I'd want to preserve a cherry in salt. I suppose if you have an abundance of them and need to preserve them for decades (so turning them into preserves or jam isn't good enough), that would be the way to go. Does preserving them in salt do something in particular to the flavor that remains after the cherries have been rinsed off?

Pickles! I don't blame him for not liking pickles. Okay on their own, but I, too, feel betrayed when they appear on a cheeseburger. And it's standard practice to put them on a burger here so I have to pick them all off. Of course, what goes on a burger varies around the country. People expect mustard on them in the south and that's just burger blasphemy. I think Yuzu has fairly normal tastes in food, for someone raised in Japan. If it sounds unusual to me, it's probably because it's not something I grew up eating.

I'm still lost here.

Wow.

Okay, I give. What is a "knob of crude salt"? Who sells (where would you get) salted cherries? Salt pickled cherry blossoms? What? I kind of get Katsuo since it is similar to bonito. And what is "sprinkle with bar mix (mincer)". I don't, for a minute, claim to know very much about Japanese cooking (Chinese, yes; Korean, yes; Thai, yes; even Vietnamese. And possibly sushi (like a California Roll). The only things I recognize in this recipe are the potato and the onion. I'm open to new tastes and the idea of cherry soup is appealing. I'm just baffled with the terms.

It's available on HBO. If you have Amazon Prime, you could always go for a free week of HBO and watch it. (If you do, list a bunch of other things you'd like to see, as well, while you have your free week.) It's possible, I think, to get a free week of HBO some other way, too.

Interesting to hear about the English-French translations. I have read that English is particularly difficult for those brought up learning a different language. So many words sound the same or even spelled the same but mean very different things. I know Americans who have trouble understanding Scottish English and almost need a translator. So many varieties, regional words and accents, and colloquialisms - I can understand it would be frustrating. I admire anyone who takes on learning a language that uses an entirely different alphabet. Yuzu understands a great deal more than he usually lets on in interviews. (For me - if it's not this alphabet, I am totally lost.)

Both brilliant. I recommend the film "Tolkien" to learn more about his early years. Rather sad but illuminating.

Rika spending part of her training at TCC doesn't say anything about her choice of choreo will be. It's a smart move for her. She must have quads to compete with the little Russian girls. And I don't think the team would have accepted her as a student if they thought they wouldn't have the time for her (or for the other skaters.) It's a win-win, especially for the girls.

Great - I didn't even though this was there. Yet another forum to get sucked into. Thanks.

Dense text and invented languages that have no translation (unless you want to go to the films and translate the subtitles under he "elfish", etc.). Although, as a natural elf, he might be able to understand.

Has no one mentioned that Rika is going to Toronto to train with Brian and Yuzu - to work on her quads? Reports say she hopes to be there in July. (She's not quitting her other coach, just doubling her team.)

And, yes, Sweden would be a problem. They know their approach was a failure. How that plays out remains to be seen, but it could be the action of other Euro nations that alters what they do. Even other Scandinavian countries aren't allowing Swedes to travel there. Perhaps they will start using some of the strategies of other countries or, and this wold be interesting, true herd immunity will eventually prevail - which would be positive (except for all those who have to die to achieve it) if it means that we do develop effective antibodies to the virus. Worlds could always be held elsewhere (someplace on this continent would be preferred).

Not only NOT Montreal, but who wants an all-event ticket when we know that the Gala is not a Gala. Damn, that makes me furious. (And possibly the only light note of Montreal cancellation is that the stupid awards extravaganza absurdity didn't happen.)

Agreed - I don't think we can even count clothes he's paid to wear. Those are not representative of what he chooses to wear when he's being his casual self...

Black and white - classic. And I laughed at thinking of Keegan in ANY of Yuzu's costumes.

Both.

And he is 25. He is ALWAYS training. And no one looks better in black workout gear. No one. But we can all remember just how sharp he looks in a well-cut suit and tie or in his beautiful kimono for his special honors award.

I think it's funny (but totally expected) that all the other skaters spoke in English (with Japanese subtitles) but Yuzu speaks Japanese with English subtitles.