[2024.07.03] Figure Skating Magazine 2023-2024 Season Highlights (BBMOOK 1649)

[yuzurujenn]

Info:

https://www.bbm-japan.com/article/detail/52774?page=1

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/458362798X

 

Publisher: Baseball Magazine Co., Ltd. (July 3, 2024)

Release date: July 3, 2024

Language ‏: Japanese

Mook: ‎ 98 pages

Variable price: 1,390 yen (tax included) 

 

 

Contents

THANK YOU, FANS!
Yuzuru Hanyu, with the world's best fans.

 

Yuzuru Hanyu
Front column: No matter what, he is the "champion" of the ice.

 

Interview
Accepting the "support" of his fans.
I felt that "I could rely on them."

 

Postscript to the interview: True words.

 

PHOTO STORY: Yuzuru Hanyu SKATE & JOURNEY
Yuzuru Hanyu as "a young man."

 

Fantasy on Ice 2024 Makuhari
Every second is professional.

 

Opening
Overwhelming "skating"

 

Look! The body of the "man who returned from Saga."

 

Program: "Danny Boy"
Unchanging and everyday "love."

 

Steady skills in the silence.

 

Delicate finger movements.

 

Hope called "freedom."

 

Collaborative program: "Meteor"
Profoundness seen in the figure of a hero.

 

A "drawer" of versatile expression.

 

A heavy heroic performance.

 

Final
An unforgettable moment, and there will be another one.

 

An athlete and an entertainer.

 

Don't forget. I won't forget either.

 

Fantasy on Ice
An early summer, fireworks light up Makuhari!

 

PHOTO STORY Yuzuru Hanyu SKATE & JOURNEY
The "determination" of an artist.

 

ICE STORY 2nd
"RE_PRAY" TOUR Saitama performance
Question.

 

Press conference for Saitama performance
ICE STORY 2nd
"RE_PRAY "TOUR Yokohama performance

 

Press conference for Yokohama performance

 

PHOTO STORY Yuzuru Hanyu SKATE & JOURNEY
The "joy" of depicting the inner self. The "pain" of depicting the inner self.

 

Photographer TALK Yaguchi Toru
Hanyu is a "human person."
I express myself because I want people to know me.

 

notte stellata 2024
Unbeatable strength.

 

PHOTO STORY Yuzuru Hanyu SKATE & JOURNEY
The starry sky of Rifu in March.

 

Press roundtable
How difficult it is to attract spectators to a sport.
I want to explore the reasons why Yuzuru Hanyu is so popular.

 

Meeting 5pm @ 1st floor conference room

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

Source: https://weibo.com/6473801248/OmbzigSpE

 

Yuzuru Hanyu Interview: Accepting the support of his fans.

‘I felt like I could rely on them’

Spoiler

 

- It's been a long time! As you know, Figure Skate Magazine's editorial mission is to conduct interviews on behalf of its readers, so please be prepared to do the same when you answer, Hanyu-san. But please relax and speak as you normally would. Thank you.

 

Hanyu: Yes, please! 

 

- There's still Fantasy on Ice left that starts in late May, but you're approaching two full seasons as a professional. How does it feel to have been a professional for almost two solid years now?

 

Hanyu: Well, this... If you ask me "Are you happy?", I would say that just being happy is definitely not enough. This has not changed since the competitive period. In the end, I couldn't just "enjoy the competition". I have always, how should I put it... I think I said in an interview that "I can't be happy if I can't win." In a sense, competition is "betting your life", and various things in life will change depending on the outcome of the competition. So, in this sense, I have always skated with the idea of "betting my life in competitions" and thinking "this is not the time to enjoy myself". And this feeling has not changed in a sense. So, even though there is no longer a visible "ranking", for me, the "results" are now directly related to the feedback or evaluations from everyone, and they can be seen. It's just that the format has changed in a more rigorous world. I feel this deeply again now almost two years after I turned professional.

 

- Honestly, I wonder if you have also felt difficulties and hardships as a professional skater? 

 

Hanyu: Well... First of all, purely because the number of programs has increased a lot, which is... It's quite hard work indeed. I have to think about how to train for it, and also if it gets easier... It's true that if I make things easier, including the jumps, I could do some easier performances, but if I do that, it'll get boring. Or the "range of performance" that the audience wants to feel will be lost. So, in terms of difficulty, such as the difficulty of jumps, or the program itself, how should I put it... the skating, transitions, rotations, including all these difficulties, how to achieve the ultimate in both performance and technique, I have been trying to find such a balance, which is really difficult. 

 

- In your solo ice show, Hanyu-san has to perform for two and a half hours, or two hours and forty minutes. 

 

Hanyu: Yes (laughs). 

 

- Figure skating is a particularly hard sport on the feet, and those who have had experience with competitive skating will find that even skating for just one minute can be quite taxing. But Hanyu-san has to perform multiple programs in a row in a single public show, which is generally impossible, and I just simply want to ask, why do you do something so hard?

 

Hanyu: Hmm... why is that... just like when I did Prologue, I wasn't really sure whether everyone had expectations for it, but I think it must be because of "everyone's expectations of me" and "my expectations of myself" that I felt that I had to do it. So, I have standards like "generally impossible" or "generally should be done this way" in my mind, but if I just follow those standards, it will become "normal". I felt that this was not what I expected, and everyone who has been watching me until now, and everyone who has been following my activities since I turned pro, will also feel that "this is not what they want to see from Hanyu", I felt this while trying to do it... That's the feeling.

 

- Hanyu-san is 29 years old now, right? 

 

Hanyu: Yes, 29. I will be 30 after this year (birthday). 

 

- Perhaps the peak of physical strength is still ahead, but it's generally possible that by the time one reaches their 30s, maintaining physical strength becomes difficult. At that time, what is Hanyu-san going to do?

 

Hanyu: That's right, what should I do? (laughs). To put it bluntly, I'm full of questions myself. For example, when it comes to holding various events, I think it's necessary to plan a blueprint. I have a vague idea that I should be thinking about what I will be doing in the next one, two, three, and eventually five years. Generally speaking, it is very necessary. This is not only for figure skating as a "job", but also for consideration as a person. But I always feel that because I always complete every performance with such enthusiasm that I don't have time to think about these things. It doesn't feel right to perform with the idea that "I should reach this point in five years, so I am at this stage now accordingly".

 

- Can you explain this in more detail? 

 

Hanyu: Well... This is just an example. Suppose I already have an idea of when I will feel that my physical strength will decline or that I will not be able to do a solo performance in the future when I am in my mid-to-late 30s or 40s. Then, we discuss and make a plan, and decide to do it “until here", so then we can decide to do this performance this time, and that performance next time according to this plan, and backtrack in order to present something good in the end at the point where we planned it. It's kind of like this. If I were to do a "reverse calculation", I would have to present a "carefully calculated" performance which… how can I put it… I feel that I wouldn't be able to do my max at every point in time. For example, if I think of it as a competition, four years feels like an Olympic cycle. If I want to go to the Olympics in four years and win a gold medal, I'd think about something like, "I'll do this the year after Sochi," "I'll do this in the second year," "I'll challenge myself a little bit in the third year, and then stabilise in the fourth year". I'd think about it like that, but it won’t work now. Now I am not thinking about "I can do this kind of thing at this age", instead I am performing with the passion of "I will have no regrets even if it ends here this time". When I feel the limit of this approach, or in the process of continuing to train my body, when I feel that "I can't keep it up anymore" or "It's only going to go downhill from here on out", even if I have just a little bit of this premonition, I probably won't skate anymore (laughs). I don't know when that moment will come, and it won't help no matter how much I think about it. But anyway, this is how I feel right now. However, if I think about it from a completely different perspective, if I put aside things like "solo performance", "quadruple jump", "quadruple and a half" and think about "physical performance", how should I put it... I feel that there are still many things I can do. As I grow older, there are many aspects that can become more profound. So, in this sense, I am looking forward to what I can do in the future and how I will perform and express myself.

 

- Has the position of "fans" changed in your heart? 

 

Hanyu: Well... I do feel that the form of "support" has changed. To be honest, during the RE_PRAY tour from 2023 to 2024, I was also worried about "what should I do". I think there must be some fans who were also struggling, but when the tour ended, I found an answer that satisfied myself and thought, "Ah... So that's how it is." As a performer, as a professional performer, of course I am determined to inherit what I have worked hard for as an athlete, including techniques in the world of performance, and at the same time further evolve and develop them and continue to move forward as a professional. But as for "receiving support,” if it were in the past, for example, when I was ranked high, I would be praised "Great!”, and there would always be so-called "results" like this which could be evaluated as "good" or "bad,” so I could accept everyone's support relatively easily. For example, when I received support and got good results, I'd feel that "I have properly repaid the favour." I have been thinking this way since around 2011. Then, after Gift ended and I started to create and perform the new RE_PRAY, creating a story which I wanted to express as a "work", so how should I put it... For example, when you read a novel and enjoy it, wouldn't it be a bit strange to support the novelist? It's like saying "Please work hard to write a novel!" It feels like there’s something not quite right. When we listen to concerts or songs, we don't say to the singer "Please work hard to sing!" It feels a bit like this. I also hope that everyone can enjoy the performance itself. And in a sense, this is my struggle as a professional, um... I’ve also thought about whether I can make everyone enjoy the performance itself if I do it perfectly. These thoughts were always wavering in my heart. But like this time in RE_PRAY, when there was a difficult program such as "The Messenger of Destruction”, there were still many people willing to support me and hoping that I could complete the program successfully. For a moment, I felt this very strongly, and reflected on it in my heart, and gradually felt that "Ah... maybe I can accept the support too". So far, when I am in the world of performance, the world of my profession, or the world of my ICE STORY, no matter what, when I perform in ICE STORY, I still hope that everyone can appreciate the story and the work itself. To enjoy it well, hmm, how should I put it? Because it isn’t a competition, the feeling of "I hope everyone can enjoy the story itself" is very strong in my heart, but at the same time I’m also wondering, "Then is this not support?" But I started to think that I didn’t have to be stuck in that kind of framework. In other words, unlike singers and people who write stories, there is another category called “Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY,” which is both a place for appreciation and a place for support. And I’m a skater who receives that support and a performer at the same time, and I think that’s fine. It took some time to figure out how the way of support has changed and how I should accept the support, and I think I found the answer.

 

- You always train alone at the ice rink in your hometown Sendai, which often worries me. Don’t you feel discouraged? 

 

Hanyu: I feel very overwhelmed, every time (laughs). After all, the practice time has increased, and in a sense, there is a lack of motivation. Because even when the brain is extremely tired, I have to think about the story and the choreography, but even in that state, I can't stop training. I want to escape, but I can't, and this situation keeps continue. If the physical condition is really good, there is no such feeling at all. I will feel, "Training is so fun!", "I completed this thing today!" or "I successfully did this kind of training today". There are certainly moments when I feel a sense of accomplishment like this. However, I’ll be lucky to have such good physical condition three times a month. Considering that, it is actually more of a struggle. So, I do often collapse (laughs), and there are more days where I feel "I don't want to do it today". 

 

- Do you have times when you dwell in the memories of the competition? Or, do you often reminisce things from the competition? 

 

Hanyu: Well, rather than saying that I "dwell" in the memories, it is better to say that I often "recall" them. Competitions also appear in my dreams. For example, I am almost late for the 6-mins practice, and I haven't changed my clothes yet, but I am still warming up slowly. The loudspeaker shouted that the 6-mins practice had started, but I hadn’t even put on my shoes (laughs). When I hurried to join in the 6-mins practice, I heard "1 minute left". I had such a dream recently. I still have such dreams now, and sometimes the scenes in them are replaced by ICE STORY. Of course, I will also think about "Ah, this competition felt like this" or "I had such feelings during this competition", and I often think about the daily routine at that time, and there are also many memories about what kind of training I did back then. Instead of saying that I am "dwelling" in the memories, it is better to say that it is because of these memories and experiences that the “present things" are born, and I cherish these ‘children’ (memories and experiences) very much. How should I put it, it's not a very negative or backward-looking thought, but more like I'm making use of these ‘children’. So, let's say there is a table called "now", and I am at this table. I often let things from the past to exist on it, not of their own accord, but of my own volition. Because of these ‘children’, these past experiences and memories, the "now" can be so fulfilling. That’s all.

 

- On the last day of RE_PRAY’s Yokohama performance, didn't you say "(The performance is about to end) It's really lonely...?” I feel like that was the first time that Hanyu-kun “showed himself” in front of people. You've been working on your own as a professional, and that's been hard for you at times, so I think it's okay for you to be a little spoiled in front of your fans every once in a while! Although the word "acting like a spoiled child" may be a bit inappropriate, it's not bad to have such moments in life, isn't it? I know how precious the connection between Hanyu Yuzuru and his fans is, and because of it you've been able to achieve so many things that can be called "miracles", I've witnessed them with my own eyes.

 

Hanyu: As I said earlier, the meaning of the word "support" has changed a lot this year, and at the same time, the people who came to watch were not just fans but also people who wanted to watch because of the game theme, and of course, people involved in the ice show too. However, when these people came to this place and occasion, although it was hard to say whether it could be considered "acting spoiled,” I did feel that "maybe I could rely on them a little bit..." or "maybe I could trust them completely".

 

- Are you referring to the fans here? 

 

Hanyu: Yes. I’ve been skating for these people so far, wanting to convey the best I can, wanting to give back all the energy and emotion they've put into me, and I've always felt like I had to work hard for that. It's not that I don't have such thoughts now, but I didn't know how to accept that support before. But through this tour, I gradually figured it out and felt that "Maybe I could rely on their strength". I think I drew this clear line in my heart during this period. 

 

- I see. It's great that Hanyu-kun's mood has cleared up! I saw you today after a long time, and I really feel like you’ve become a "man"! 

Hanyu: Do you mean I have become calmer? (laughs). Well, for example, in the case of ‘Danny Boy’, some things will live on in the program, like ‘Haru yo, koi’ and ‘Hope & Legacy’, which require genderless movements, and a sense of lightness that is not limited by age, etc. I think that as I grow older and experience various things, it will broaden my range of expression, and the "tenderness", "softness", and "ethereality" that I'm good at becomes broader as well. It goes back to what I said at the beginning: what kind of performance will I perform in my late 30s when I have experienced various things, accumulated age and experience, and experienced the physical time of "years", how much emotion I want to convey, how deep such emotions will become, how much training I have done, and how deeply I have thought about "physical expression". This makes me look forward to it with anticipation. Training is indeed painful. There is a clear change before and after Saga. The quality of training itself, the mindset, and the actual length of training have changed a lot, and it is indeed tough because there’s so much to do. However, I also feel that this has allowed me to perform well, and putting on good performances means being able to make all the fans happy. For me, this is really one of the most important happiness, and it is precisely because I feel that I have been rewarded for my efforts here that I can continue to work hard. Well, there’s a show coming up (this interview was done a few days before Fantasy on Ice). I have emotions that I want to convey and things that I want everyone to feel at every moment through my performances. Everyone has their own experiences and memories, and I hope that watching my performance can ignite some emotions in everyone's hearts. I want to continue to work hard with this commitment.

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

Source: B.B.MOOK 1649 magazine, pg 25

 

Postscript to the interview with Yuzuru Hanyu

True Words.

 

It's been a while since our last interview, and it was a solo one. Yuzuru Hanyu appeared before us in mid-May. Until now, there was always an air of tension around him. But on this day, for some reason, I didn't feel that at all. I don't know why. I don't know, but I have a feeling inside me that maybe...

Text / Shinichi Yamaguchi Photo/ Ryosuke Menju

 

Spoiler

Ah, why is that?

Hanyu-kun. 

 

At first, I didn't understand why I said that, even though it was my own words.

 

Up until now, I have called him "Hanyu-senshu" in interviews, and "Hanyu-san" after he became a professional skater. In fact, I’m sure I called him "Hanyu-san" in the first half of this interview. When writing the article, I wondered what I should do, but in the end, I decided to just go with "Hanyu-kun" from the middle of the article. I don't know the reason myself. But I think there was an atmosphere on that day that made me want to call him "Hanyu-kun.

 

July 2022. Less than a week after Hanyu became a professional, I was taken to the hospital. Two years have passed since then, but it is still difficult for me to travel far for interviews, and in fact, the interview in Sendai was also conducted remotely. Photographer Menju took some photos after the interview. After that, Hanyu-kun said, "Now I just have to go home," and we had a chat for a while. It just so happened... really, this chat was just recorded by chance, and although I wasn't sure what to do with it, I decided to share it with you, the readers, because I thought it was worth sharing. Perhaps Hanyu-san and his staff would allow me to do so.

--Hanyu-kun, thank you so much for today! It's been a long time since we last met. I feel like you have really grown into a mature man! 

Hanyu: No, I haven't changed. I’m still the same inside (laughs). But I do feel like I’ve started thinking a lot more because I’m in a world where I have to express myself.

 

--It's been a long time since I interviewed you. When I got sick, I thought, "Maybe I won't be able to do this kind of interview anymore." I never dreamed that I would get sick.

Hanyu: You really never know what's going to happen. I, too, have been living on the edge of death...

 

--During RE_PRAY's Yokohama performance, Hanyu-kun said, "Life goes on as long as you don't stop," right? Oh, I thought he was saying it to me. No, that's an exaggeration to say that you were speaking to me, but "Hanyu Yuzuru's words are the truth." I really thought so.

Hanyu: For me, well...you know, there are wars, natural disasters, and people who die suddenly...

I heard that Hanyu-kun also experienced the death of someone close to him. During the tour, he was sometimes at a loss for words on the microphone, perhaps because he was thinking of that person. 

 

Hanyu: I was just realising that again.... So, I don't want to waste it. There are so many people who have come to be involved with me this way. I want them to be happy, even if only for that moment.

 

It was time for Hanyu-kun to leave. He turned around and said, “Please keep up the great work. Let's do our best! Thank you very much,” before leaving.

 

He is a person who cannot lie. This is what I thought after interviewing Yuzuru Hanyu. That’s why he must have been hurt by the world's comments about what he is and what he is not, and by the things he has been told since he was young. But even though he was hurt, or rather, it was because of those experiences that Hanyu-kun was able to treat others so gently. That is how I feel now.

 

And to all the fans of Yuzuru Hanyu. His words are truly what he means from the bottom of his heart, they are true words.

 

I want to shout this out loud.
 

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

Source: B.B.MOOK 1649 magazine, pg 26

 

PHOTO STORY: Yuzuru Hanyu SKATE & JOURNEY

Yuzuru Hanyu as a "young man"

 

May 17, 2024, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture

Photo & Text/Ryosuke Menju

 

Spoiler

Give it a title, okay? At the request of Editor Y, I came up with a name that would suit the occasion, but what do you think? In order to bring a "fresh breeze" that is fitting for the season of fresh greenery to our readers, I went to Sendai in the early summer of 2024.

 

This is the first time that Figure Skating Magazine has a solo interview. Previously we had a media day in Toronto, Canada, but that was mainly a joint interview with other companies. But this is an opportunity for Y-san, the interviewer, and me, the photographer, to meet Hanyu-senshu "one-on-one".

 

I have to confess that I had been feeling restless for the two months prior to the interview. I was so nervous and tense that I didn't know what to do, even though I'm 50 years old.

 

In March, Y-san suggested that we try to apply for an interview with Hanyu-senshu. At first, I just wanted to give it a try and thought "What would the result be?", but unexpectedly, I received a reply from Hanyu’s side very quickly, saying "OK". The two months that followed were incredibly long.

 

On this day, I met Hanyu-senshu for the first time in a long time, and he showed up at the venue on time.

 

The Q&A session with Y-san started as normal, not so much at first, but gradually, as if to match his words, he began to show his typical Hanyu-like "gaze" and "expression." I think I was able to get the shots I had in mind, both during the interview and outdoors.

 

On this day, I felt that I captured the appearance of Yuzuru Hanyu as "a young man". The person in front of me was not Hanyu-senshu, but “a young man”. I can't describe it well, but there was definitely such a scene in my mind.

 

After the shoot, I decided to fulfill a promise I made to myself. I wanted to express my gratitude to Hanyu-senshu for all he has done for me.

 

As a sports photographer, my career can be divided into two stages: "before I met Yuzuru Hanyu" and "after I met Yuzuru Hanyu". How can I take cool photos of Hanyu-senshu? For this reason, I competed with other photographers and prepared harder than ever before competitions, and readers started giving feedback on the photos I took. All this was because I met Hanyu-senshu.

 

Above all, the "voices" of the fans were especially special to me. Fans would "give their opinions," "praise," and "call out" to me, a photographer, in various places. I was able to experience things I had never experienced before as a sports photographer by getting to know "Yuzuru Hanyu". So, on this day, thanking Hanyu-senshu was more important to me than taking pictures of him. (Editor Y: Please come to the staff room later, Menju-kun)

 

After all the photos were taken, I had a minute or two to put down the camera and chat. It was during this time that I expressed my gratitude to Hanyu-senshu, something I had been wanting to say but had never been able to do so.

 

Hanyu-senshu responded with a smile.

 

"No, no. Everyone is working so hard to take photos of me, I’m really grateful for that."

 

Anyway, it was a somewhat strange day. There was me talking to him without a camera, and there was Hanyu-senshu without his skates.

 

And, after all, there was Yuzuru Hanyu as a "young man". That's just how I feel now.

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

Source: https://weibo.com/2919885090/OnviUnSb6 

 

PHOTO STORY: Yuzuru Hanyu SKATE & JOURNEY

The "joy" of depicting the inner self. The "pain" of depicting the inner self.

 

Feb 19, 2024, Kanagawa - Pia Arena MM

Text/Ryosuke Menju

 

Photographers were saying that "Ashura-chan" was great, but I was immersed in "Chicken, Snake, and Pig". Every expression and every muscle movement could be conveyed to the audience more deeply than during the competition.

 

Spoiler

For me, this was the first time I have photographed an ice show again after a long time. The last time I saw Yuzuru Hanyu perform was about 9 months ago. I came to the venue and met several figure skating photographers after a long absence. I often met Kogaito when shooting football games, but this was the first time I have seen Yaguchi since last year's FaOI. "Menju-san! I miss you so much!" He couldn't help but gave me a big hug (laughs).

 

I cleared all my thoughts and went to watch the performance without any prior preparation, but I saw Yuzuru Hanyu's "inner world", and the overall composition was also quite good. Integrating the game world he loves into the whole performance, the word "PLAY" became "PRAY". This was probably one of the points he wanted to express.

 

The performance lasted two and a half hours and included 12 programs. I was shocked again! God... two and a half hours... this is unthinkable in common sense. But Yuzuru Hanyu managed to do it all by himself. Seeing that scene with my own eyes, I was at a loss for words and could only say "It's really amazing".

 

I focused on every move of Yuzuru Hanyu and was deeply attracted by him. The flexibility and expressiveness of his body. He was restricted in his movements during competitions, but he was completely freed after becoming a professional skater. The “free Yuzuru Hanyu" is so amazing! Yuzuru Hanyu is constantly improving and getting better and better.

 

In terms of physique, he has become stronger or more solid, especially his abdominal muscles which are well trained. Speaking of the "atmosphere" at the scene, I think this atmosphere has already been formed in the venue. Fans' expectations for Yuzuru Hanyu remained unabated, whether in competitions or ice performances. This was reflected in the six-minute practice for "The Messenger of Destruction".

 

There were more young people in the venue, and it seemed that many were from China and South Korea. It goes without saying that everyone came just to see Yuzuru Hanyu. Indeed, this atmosphere must have been comfortable for Hanyu himself. In previous performances, there seemed to be strict requirements for "wearing masks", but this trend has waned now. Although many people still wore masks, many people took off their masks and sat in the audience. Seeing the expressions of the audience, Hanyu must have felt that the emotional transmission was more direct.

 

After the main performance, Hanyu returned to the backstage. After a while, he came out again for the encore, "Let Me Entertain You" followed by "SEIMEI" and "Introduction and Rondo", which was a time of great happiness for fans.

 

Hanyu was just like an artist performing a "live performance"! At concerts, singers usually perform songs from their latest albums, and for the encore, they sing popular songs at the moment. "I was like that when this song was popular." Fans must have such memories. On this day in Yokohama, these memories and emotions with these “songs” gushed out like a spring.

 

Seeing the enthusiastic atmosphere of the audience during the encore, I thought, "Maybe Hanyu can keep skating like this."

 

But looking at him, I also worry about whether he will continue to communicate with his "heart" to create works in the future? Hanyu is almost 30 years old, and I understand his desire to portray the delicate parts of the human "heart", but it is undoubtedly a "tough" job. Can Hanyu perform with a more relaxed mindset? This thought suddenly occurred to me when I looked at the audience seats where the fans were still lingering around.

 

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

Source:  https://weibo.com/2919885090/OnSbppc9w 

 

PHOTO STORY: Yuzuru Hanyu SKATE & JOURNEY

The Starry Sky of Rifu in March

 

Mar 8, 2024, Sekisui Heim Super Arena

Text/Ryosuke Menju

 

Although indoors, it feels like being under the "starry sky". In the eyes of Hanyu, he clearly sees one star after another.

 

Spoiler

The Notte Stellata venue is located in Sendai Rifu Town, Sendai, just like last year. It is a bit far from the center of Sendai, and most of the fans who came to see the ice show took the shuttle bus. I flew from Osaka to Sendai Airport, then took the train and then a taxi to the venue. From the flight to Sendai Airport, you can see the scene of "Oh, those are fans going to notte stellata" everywhere.

 

Last year's collaboration with gymnast Kohei Uchimura caused a lot of discussion. I thought, "What kind of ice show is notte stellata?" "What kind of program will Hanyu present?" These were unknown before arriving at the ice rink. This year is the second time it has been held, and the audience has a deeper understanding of Hanyu's thoughts. This time, he worked with Ms. Daichi Mao, but the performance of "notte stellata" was the most impressive in my heart. Hanyu's posture was soft and smooth, and every movement made people think of the "starry sky". His eyes were mostly upwards. After becoming a professional, people tend to be attracted by new things, but the "notte stellata" on this day was particularly attractive. In

 

March 2011, an earthquake occurred, and as a victim, Hanyu experienced many difficult times. Everyone who suffered from the earthquake was full of anxiety about the future life, "What will life become from now on?" This anxiety has never dissipated. Despite this, from the spring of 2011 to today in 2024, the "starry sky" has always protected everyone. Notte stellata first conveyed this emotion, and created an atmosphere of "the performance is about to begin" with "notte stellata" as the opening. As the feeling gradually deepened in the quiet venue, the audience naturally immersed themselves in the performance more easily.

 

Last year was the first time it was held, and people might have wondered "What kind of performance is this", and it was also the first year of Hanyu's professional career change. Everyone is busy following his footsteps, but he decided to hold notte stellata again because it has a "special meaning" in his heart. Think about it, notte stellata is the only event held two years in a row. As a witness to the earthquake, it is for this reason that Hanyu feels that "there is something he can do" and then takes action to do it. I think this event will continue in the future. Compared to Sendai, it takes more "spirit" to go to Rifu. But holding an event here itself has a profound meaning. On the way back, Rifu in March was shrouded in the night sky, and those who came to the scene will surely deeply understand its meaning.

 

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

Source: https://weibo.com/2919885090/OnpAnmlws 

 

PHOTO STORY: Yuzuru Hanyu SKATE & JOURNEY

The "determination" of an artist.

 

May 24, 2024, Chiba - Makuhari

Text/Ryosuke Menju

 

Everyone present was attracted by "Danny Boy". 
Hanyu's emotions on the ice were clearly visible. 

 

Spoiler

In late May, as usual, I took the Shinkansen to Tokyo, then transferred to the Keiyo Line and arrived at Kaihimmakuhari, sighing in my mind, “This year’s summer has begun again.” The shooting location at FaOI this time was particularly good, and the shooting position on the short side in front was unexpectedly vacant. Thanks to this, I was able to take some very stunning photos.

 

After Hanyu's magnificent opening, he performed the first program at the end of the first half. This was the second time I have seen him perform "Danny Boy", after the last time at Notte Stellata in March. It's a gentle melody and a familiar tune often used in television commercials.

 

The performance was really great. Hanyu was wearing a white outfit that showed the innocence of a boy, and his expressiveness was really amazing as he paid attention to every detail. Hanyu focused on "artistry" in his performance skills. As there was no longer "win or lose" based on scores, he now puts all his energy and thoughts into "performance". Watching the performance, I also deeply felt the enthusiasm and motivation of Hanyu. Each performance had its own theme, and I felt the "awareness" of the performer. The "emotion" in every of his movement. I was so entranced that I forgot to breathe and felt like I was being "carried away".

 

Finale was also wonderful. He must have done a lot of muscle training for the "arm" under the sleeveless clothes, and there seemed to be nothing superfluous about his body and movements. At the end, they stood in a line to thank the artists. It was rare to see Hanyu looking very tired. He must have exhausted his last bit of strength, and it was really remarkable that he could persist to that extent.

 

At this point, the second year of Hanyu's career has completed.

 

Through all these practices, he probably figured out what he “really wants to do” and what “he should try to do next year.” Although it's just speculation, I think he will really start to think about spending two and a half hours or three hours to perform the performance that Yuzuru Hanyu wants to do - I have this feeling. To be honest, I think the goal that Yuzuru Hanyu is pursuing "may be beyond our understanding." My job title is "sports news photographer," but Hanyu seems to want to go in a different direction. I've started to feel this way recently.

 

So what does editor Mr. Y think?

 

"Hanyu's path to growth is full of infinite possibilities. If he decides to try new challenges in his only life, shouldn't we, as people who have been following him, support him?" (Editor Y)

 

I completely agree with this view. I choose to support Hanyu 100%! But frankly speaking, I feel a little lonely. However, I would like to support him with a hundred times more enthusiasm. This is my sincere words. Maybe in half a year, I will still be sitting by the ice rink like before, thinking about "how to start serializing in the magazine". But no one can predict the future, and that's why life is interesting.

 

A bright future is definitely waiting for Hanyu, and there are fans who will continue to support him. I hope he can firmly believe in the path he has chosen and move forward.

 

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

Source: https://weibo.com/1746783312/OpuSzlec8

 

FS Magazine Press Conference Excerpts

 

Spoiler

Takagi: Notte Stellata was the first performance of Danny Boy at that time, and Kogaito-san, who watched the show in Miyagi at that time, said, "This show can be ranked in my top three." As a result, the music producer of the TV station directly told Hanyu-san, "Kogaito-san said this show is in his top three (favourite shows)" (laughs).

 

Kogaito: At that time, there were only me, the producer, and Takagi-san present. I never thought that what we said in private would reach Hanyu's ears (laughs). In addition, I have to correct it. Although I said impulsively "they can be ranked in the top three of my favourites", but when it comes down to it, "One of them is Chopin, and the other one...", I really can't decide. So I want to change it to "they can be ranked in the top two of my favourites."

 

Yamaguchi: What was Hanyu-san's expression when he heard it?

 

Kogaito: I didn’t see his expression. To be honest, I felt very embarrassed (laughs). And what if he thought I was arrogant and conceited after hearing what I said? I was very anxious about this for a while.

 

Yoshida: Hahaha (laughs).

 

Kogaito: Can I also talk about my own personal memories of the PyeongChang Olympics? That was the day when Hanyu won the gold medal. The stadium was very far away from the medal ceremony square. Normally, it would take about 40 minutes to drive there. But since figure skating ended at noon, there was plenty of time. However, when I got in a taxi to the medal ceremony square, there was a huge traffic jam on the highway...

 

Yamaguchi: Now that you mention it, I remember that day, the wind was particularly strong. I waited and waited, but you still didn’t get to the medal ceremony square. I have this impression.

 

Kogaito: Then it was almost time. When I got off the highway, I thought, "I might as well run", and I got out of the taxi and ran directly to the medal ceremony square. “I could run over there, probably in this direction”—that was all I knew. At that time, I could see the “Olympic flame” from a distance. From there, I carried a 20kg camera bag and ran towards the Olympic flame while chanting “Hanyu’s gold medal” “Hanyu’s gold medal” …

 

Takagi & Yoshida: Hahaha (laughing until tears).

 

Kogaito: I ran as hard as I could for 30 minutes, and I finally caught up!

 

Takagi: The “picture” of him on the podium is great.

 

Yoshida: Ah, it’s the picture of Hanyu-san jumping on the podium.