[2024] Compilation of translated interview articles with Yuzu

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.01

 

Source: https://esse-online.jp/articles/-/30829

Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0DG5GJCC7 

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu feels a change in his mindset in his third year as a professional. "I've become able to rely on the strength of those around me."

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, a figure skater who continues to challenge himself to create new forms of expression even after turning professional, is attracting a lot of attention by appearing on the cover of the new year's issue of ESSE. We asked him about his changes in his mindset and the thoughts he holds dear.

 

Spoiler

During the shoot, the background music he chose was his best friend's song

 

Yuzuru Hanyu headed to the crimson filming set, picked up his smartphone and selected the background music himself. The songs he chose were "Ryakudatsu" and "Last Ambient" by Taisei Miyagawa, a musician who is also his good friend and with whom he has collaborated on an ice show. The staff cheered as he moved his body gracefully, just like in a real show.

 

Since making a new start as a professional in 2022, Hanyu has been taking on unprecedented challenges, including becoming the first skater to perform a solo show at the Tokyo Dome and successfully completing a national tour. Now in his third year as a professional, he says, "I've become able to rely on the people around me."

 

Because I've learned to care for those around me, I'm able to care for myself too

 

"When I was competing, I felt the pressure of having to carry the hopes of everyone and produce good results. But since I became a professional and started producing and structuring shows, I've been able to expand my world with the help of experts in each field. Maybe it's because I've grown up (laughs). I feel like I'm able to take care of myself now because I've learned to take care of those around me."

 

Hanyu is constantly evolving. We can't wait to see what new horizons he will show us in 2025.

 

The January issue of ESSE, which goes on sale on December 2nd, features a full interview with Yuzuru Hanyu, covering everything from the worldview of his national tour "Echoes of Life" that begins on December 7th to his favorite dishes he's looking forward to during the New Year. He also appears on the cover and poster of the [Special Edition], and on a different poster of the [Regular Edition]. Be sure to check it out.

 

It was photographer Toru Yaguchi's idea to have Hanyu hold an apple. On the day of the shoot, apples of various colors and lustres were prepared, and the shoot was shot with "Jonagold" apples, which best suited the atmosphere.

 

Costume credits: <Black costume> Shirt ¥46,200 (GALAABEND/3RD[ i ] VISIONPR) Ear cuff ¥11,000 (LION HEART/Sian PR) Pants (stylist's personal item) <White costume> Blouse ¥44,000, scarf ¥12,100 (both GALAABEND/3RD[ i ] VISIONPR

 

 

Profile

Yuzuru Hanyu

Born in Miyagi Prefecture in 1994, Yuzuru Hanyu started figure skating at the age of four, and has won two world championships and two consecutive Olympic gold medals. In 2018, he received the People's Honor Award. In 2022, he will turn professional skater. The third installment of "ICE STORY," in which he stars and serves as executive producer, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd -Echoes of Life- TOUR," will begin on December 7th. With themes of life's journey and growth, the tour will explore the essence of "living."

 

 

Photography: Toru Yaguchi / Stylist: Minako Orihara (Mi-knot Inc) / Hair & Makeup: Tomomi Kakizaki / Interview and Original Text: Hanae Kudo

 

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.02

 

Source: ESSE January 2025 Special Edition, pg 71-73
Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0DG5GJCC7

 

 

New Year Special Interview
Yuzuru Hanyu

 

The person who graced the cover of the New Year issue is figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, who continues to challenge himself with new expressions even after turning professional. He shared a message to welcome a fulfilling year ahead.

 

Spoiler

“Entering his third year as a professional, he has become able to rely on those around him.”

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, heading towards the crimson-themed photo shoot set, picked up his smartphone and chose the background music for the shoot: the songs "Ryakudatsu" and "Last Ambient" by his close friend, Taisei Miyagawa, with whom he had previously collaborated in an ice show. The staff cheered as he moved his body gracefully, just as if he were performing in a real show.

 

Since starting his career as a professional in 2022, Hanyu has continued to take on unprecedented challenges, including becoming the first-ever skater to hold a solo show at Tokyo Dome and successfully completing a national tour. Now entering his third year as a professional, he shared, "I've become able to rely on the people around me."

 

"During my competitive years, I felt the pressure of having to carry the hopes of everyone and produce results.... But since becoming a professional and getting involved in the production and choreography of shows, I've been able to expand my world by relying on the expertise of professionals in various fields. I guess it means I’ve grown up (laughs). I feel like I can take care of myself because I've become able to take care of the people around me."

 

"I believe that an athlete is someone who pushes themselves to their limits."

 

His current challenge is how to create the world of his national tour "Echoes of Life," which will take place from the end of this year into next year.

"I’m nervous about how the upcoming show will be received, but right now, I just want to get better at skating (laughs). Depending on the program, the way I use my stamina changes, so I need to figure out how to manage it this time, and I also need to create the choreography... Right now, I’m in the most intense, tight situation."

The ice shows Hanyu has been involved with since turning professional have all been physically and technically demanding.

 

"The structure is such that after the show, I’m often so exhausted I can’t stand, so it's hard every time. Actually, I saw something on SNS today that said: 'Even if you can run 10 meters per second, you shouldn’t think you can run a full marathon at the same speed.' I thought that’s true... but I’m the type who tries to run a full marathon at 9.5 meters per second (laughs). But I believe that pushing yourself to the limit is what makes an athlete, and if you compromise, it can't be called art."

 

 "It's important to acknowledge the 'self that did their best.'"

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, who is pursuing his potential even more stoically than during his competitive years, has put in an unimaginable amount of effort behind the scenes.

"But I believe it's not just me—everyone is giving their all in their respective places. I have a dream to pursue and a stage to perform on, so I give it my all, using all of my lung capacity... But even if someone's way of using energy is more subtle or long-lasting, I believe that’s their own form of giving their all. These days, it's hard to understand the meaning of life. That's why I think it's important for everyone to not compare themselves to others, but to acknowledge the 'self that did their best.'"

In his 25 years of skating, Hanyu has sometimes felt discouraged, but he has always managed to pick himself up and move forward. One of the keys to maintaining a positive mindset is "falling into despair to the fullest."

 

"I believe that if you don't just half-heartedly suppress your feelings, but rather let them fall to the bottom, you will find the opportunity to have hope again. That chance could be a word from a podcast you happened to hear or lyrics from a song playing on the street. Honestly, I’d be happy if it came from my performance. But that kind of opportunity doesn’t come just by waiting for it. No matter how down I feel, I make sure not to stop reaching out when that moment of opportunity comes."

 

“Nabe and ozoni with ponzu sauce are wintertime delights.”

 

The performance of "Echoes of Life" is coming up early in 2025, but will there be time to enjoy New Year's food?

 

"I love ozoni. Ours is soy sauce-based, with chicken, seri (Japanese parsley), and shredded daikon radish and carrots called 'ohikina,' topped with ikura (salmon roe). In the winter, we often eat nabe (hot pot) as well. I'm not good at eating a lot of raw vegetables, so nabe is perfect because I can get plenty of cooked vegetables. It's also easy to make. I like to eat it with a refreshing ponzu sauce."

 

The first day of the tour, December 7, is also Hanyu’s 30th birthday. When he was a teenager, he thought, "People in their 30s are old," but does he have any habits that help him stay youthful, contrary to those words?

 

"Keep seeking freshness in both hobbies and work. This is something I've been mindful of since my competitive days, as there is data showing that people are more likely to focus on new things. For example, in beauty, instead of applying lotion out of habit, I believe that if you gain new knowledge about the right temperature and method of application, it can motivate you. I think accumulating such experiences helps you stay youthful."

 

Hanyu is constantly evolving. We can't wait to see what new frontiers he will show in 2025.

 

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.02

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241201-OHT1T51228.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu's birthday countdown series starts in Sports Hochi on the 3rd

 

Professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu will celebrate his 30th birthday on December 7, the opening day of his ice show "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR" at the Saitama Super Arena. "Sports Hochi" will publish a five-day countdown series starting on December 3. The series will reflect on Hanyu's journey, from his childhood to his career, which saw him reach the pinnacle of the sport with two Olympic gold medals, and continues to shine in the professional world.

 

 

2024.12.03

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241202-OHT1T51184.html?page=1#
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241203001106/https://hochi.news/articles/20241202-OHT1T51184.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu: Meeting figure skating at the age of 4 and living with it; Olympic champion at 19; Countdown to 30 years old.

 

Spoiler

Professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu will celebrate his 30th birthday on the 7th. After reaching the pinnacle of his career with two Olympic gold medals, Hanyu continues to take on challenges in the professional world. In this countdown series, we look back on his journey, starting from his early years when he first encountered figure skating to the evolution that led him to become the first Asian Olympic champion at the age of 19.

 

Yuzuru Hanyu met figure skating at the age of 4, an encounter that became something he could devote his entire life and energy to. With a deep, cherished love for skating, he grew from a boy into an adult.

 

Soon after starting the sport, he met a future "rival"—his 9-year-old self. "I’ve always been in battle with the 9-year-old version of myself. I feel like that confident, unshakable self is always telling me, 'You're still not there yet,'" he said in a 2019 NHK interview. The "invincible self" he encountered when he won his first national novice B competition continued to support him throughout his career.

 

On March 11, 2011, at the age of 16, he was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and was forced to live in a shelter. There was a time when he resented being seen not as a figure skater, but as a "representative of the disaster area." The turning point came the following year in March.

 

In his first World Championships appearance in Nice, he won the bronze medal. "I could truly feel the support for the disaster area, and it brought tears to my eyes," he said. After recovering from 7th place, he reached the podium. "I could truly feel that people were supporting me. I realized I wasn't in the position of supporting others, but being supported." He decided to shoulder this responsibility, accept it, and move forward.

 

In February 2014, Hanyu was in Sochi. He stood on the Olympic rink, a dream he'd had since childhood. In the short program, he achieved the first-ever score of over 100 points, opening the door to history. His gold medal was the first ever for an Asian figure skater. "Now that I became an Olympic gold medalist, I feel there are things I can do for the disaster area and reconstruction. This is the start of that." At 19, he was already looking ahead.

 

Two months later, 92,000 people gathered in Sendai for his victory parade. "The gold medal was thanks to everyone's support. I think it's proof that we became one," he expressed his gratitude. The ambition to improve his skating skills and the ability to accept the support of others led him to reach the pinnacle in his teens. He would go on to break many more "firsts" in the years that followed.

 

(Written by Megumi Takagi) —敬称略—

 

 

On his 30th birthday, Hanyu will premiere the third installment of his ice show, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 3rd 'Echoes of Life' TOUR," at the Saitama Super Arena. The tour will begin with performances in Saitama (December 7, 9, 11) and continue with shows in Hiroshima (January 3, 5, 2025) and Chiba (February 7, 9, 2025) at the Lala Arena Tokyo Bay.

 

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.04

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241203-OHT1T51160.html?page=1
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241204001534/https://hochi.news/articles/20241203-OHT1T51160.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu: 'Beyond the Wall is Another Wall' – His Ongoing Challenge in His 20s, Consecutive Victories in PyeongChang, Pride in Beijing, and the Countdown to 30

 

Spoiler

Professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu will celebrate his 30th birthday on the 7th. The second installment of the countdown series reflects on his 20s, the era of his competitive career that left an indelible mark in both records and memories, including his historic consecutive victories at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, the first in 66 years for a male figure skater.

 

Hanyu’s evolution continued as he turned 20. As an athlete who has etched his name in history, he advanced through records and into the memories of fans. After winning his third consecutive title at the 2014 Japan National Championships, he said, "I overcame the wall, but beyond that, I saw another wall. Beyond the wall, there was only another wall." Living his 20s in this world, where only a hero aiming for the highest peak can truly see, Hanyu continued his journey.

 

In the 2015 NHK Trophy, he led figure skating into a new era. After updating his own world record in the short program (SP), he became the first skater in history to surpass 200 points in the free program and 300 points overall. Two weeks later, in the Grand Prix Final in Barcelona, he set another triple world record. "I’m happy and honored by the evaluation of having the world’s highest score, but more than that, the important thing is how much I can refine my own performance," said the reigning king of figure skating.

 

A skater who can turn pressure into strength is a strong one. At the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, he overcame adversity and achieved a historic consecutive victory for the first time in 66 years in men's figure skating. In November of the previous year, just a day before the start of the NHK Trophy, he fell during practice and was diagnosed with a "right ankle lateral ligament injury." His first competition in four months, since the Russian Cup, would be on the Olympic stage. He delivered a perfect performance in the short program and fought through the free program with gritted teeth. "I wondered what I would do if I had to quit skating. I’ve poured everything into skating and given up so many things." His passion was unwavering, and he dedicated himself fully to the sport.

 

At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, his third Olympic appearance, Hanyu attempted the quad axel (4.5 rotations) in the free program "Heaven and Earth". He attempted the jump despite injuring his right ankle in the official practice the day before. "It was an Olympic performance where I gave it my all, a challenge filled with my pride." For a skater who had reached a realm that couldn't be measured by points, it was inevitable that he would move on to a new stage. On July 19, 2022, Hanyu announced his transition to a professional career at a hotel in Tokyo. "I made this decision because I want to become stronger. While cherishing figure skating as a sport and as a professional athlete, I want to keep striving toward the ideal of Yuzuru Hanyu." As a professional, Hanyu is now carving out a new path.

 

[yuzurujenn]

2024.12.05

 

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20241204-OHT1T51179.html?page=1
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241204224734/https://hochi.news/articles/20241204-OHT1T51179.html?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu 'thoroughly picks up every detail of the sound,' Takahito Mura talks about his otherworldly sensitivity as the countdown to his 30th birthday begins.

 

Even after Yuzuru Hanyu (29) turned professional, Takahito Mura (33), his 'older brother' who has performed together with him in ice shows such as 'notte stellata' (March, Miyagi) and the 'Noto Peninsula Reconstruction Support Charity Performance' (September, Ishikawa), spoke from a fellow skater's perspective about the greatness of 'Professional Skater Yuzuru Hanyu.' (Interview and composition by Megumi Takagi)

 

Spoiler

If I had to describe Yuzu's professional activities in one word, it would be 'otherworldly.' It's exactly what he said at his press conference when he declared, 'a professional athlete.' He must be training incredibly hard, and his preparation and curiosity to deliver the maximum performance are extraordinary. I went to see his first solo show, 'Prologue' (November 2022, Yokohama). What I want to say loud and clear is that it’s not normal to perform a full ice show by yourself. If it were a 15-minute or 30-minute set, that would be understandable, but 90 minutes? Seriously... I was truly shocked. It really was beyond ordinary. From start to finish, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of Yuzuru Hanyu.

 

Since last year, I’ve participated in 'Yuzuru Hanyu notte stellata' for two years in a row. For Yuzu, this ice show deeply reflects his thoughts on the Great East Japan Earthquake. While preparing and rehearsing together, Yuzu also spoke about these feelings, and you could really sense it in his approach. While skating alongside him, I could feel the intense dedication he pours into each show.

 

In September, I performed with Yuzu, Akiko Suzuki, and Satoko Miyahara at the 'Noto Peninsula Reconstruction Support Charity Performance.' The opening song was "Noto Kuni Kiriko Festival" by the Wajima City Japanese drum team Toranosuke. It was my first time skating to a taiko drum piece, and it was difficult. When you listen to it midway through, it's impossible to tell where it begins. We had to figure out, 'This part has so many beats, so we should start moving after the nth beat.' Yuzu worked hard, listening intensely until the last minute.

 

For the finale, we did a duet to 'Que Sera Sera' by Mrs. GREEN APPLE, which Yuzu choreographed. His ability to pick up on the music and the beats is amazing. He captures twice as many sounds as a normal person would. For every lyric or note in the song, he adds multiple movements. The rhythm Yuzu takes from the music is different from the one we usually use. I think this ability to pick up the sound comes from his sensitivity. He picks up every little detail of the sound thoroughly.

 

While we take a beat like '1, 2, 3,' Yuzu might take it at '0.5' first, and then wait a little before moving. He doesn't always take the sound in a regular pattern. It was a fresh surprise to see how he took it here. After everyone's practice was over, Yuzu said, 'I'll stay and practice a bit more until I'm more confident,' and he stayed behind. Once he decides to do something, he’ll keep going until he's satisfied.

 

I'm really looking forward to Yuzu's 30s. He even said that after turning professional, 'I think my body might be in better shape now.' I'm sure he'll show us even more evolved skating. Back when he was competing, I used to think, 'Since Yuzu is doing his best, I have to do my best too.' If there's anything I can do for Yuzu, I want to repay him.