[2022.10.28] NHK - Yuzuru Hanyu x Shae-Lynn Bourne: Two Artists Resonating Together on the Ice

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20221028/k10013871951000.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231026134839/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20221028/k10013871951000.html

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu x Shae-Lynn Bourne: Two Artists Resonating Together on the Ice

 

This July, Yuzuru Hanyu announced his transition to professional skating. When reflecting on his performances, many people recall not only the impressive movements of each program but also the unique atmosphere that Hanyu exudes.

 

In an effort to expand the range of his expressions after turning professional, Hanyu had a conversation this fall with Shae-Lynn Bourne, a world-renowned choreographer from Canada (46). Shae-Lynn, a former ice dance world champion, is one of the people who understands figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, having worked with him on programs such as "SEIMEI" and "Ten to Chi to."

 

In this conversation, initiated by Bourne, the two discussed their encounter, the behind-the-scenes of their creative process, and what Hanyu is striving for. (Reporter: Konno Tomohisa, Sports News Division)

 

Spoiler

"Seeking a program that expresses his 'passion'"

In September of this year, Hanyu appeared at a studio in Sendai City wearing a suit.

 

He met Shae-Lynn Bourne in 2014, and after the Sochi Olympics that year, he requested her choreography for the first time. Since then, they have worked together on various programs, including the free skate "Ten to Chi to" for the Beijing Olympics in February.

 

Due to the impact of COVID-19, it had been about three years since the two last met in person.

 

After exchanging smiles and hugs, Shae-Lynn presented Hanyu with a gift.

 

It was a bottle of champagne from 2014, the year the two first met. The conversation began in a harmonious atmosphere, celebrating Hanyu's new start as a professional skater.

 

Shae-Lynn: 

"I am very grateful that you came to talk with me. I’m not sure where to begin, but I will keep it brief. I think it was Brian (Orser) who called me for the first time in 2014, right after the Olympics, and he said, 'Yuzu wants to do a long program with you.' I was shocked that you still wanted to continue competing, because I thought you had already achieved the ultimate performance. Yet, you wanted to work with me. I was excited, scared, and overwhelmed, and I wondered, 'Why me?' Of course, I said yes, because I was scared. I didn’t want to disappoint you, and those feelings were stronger than anything else. But I always had the question of 'Why?' in my mind."

 

Hanyu:

"When I moved to Cricket (the training base in Canada), the first person to choreograph a program for me was David (Wilson). Honestly, when I was at Cricket, I think Brian probably wanted David and Jeff (Jeffrey Buttle) to do the choreography for me. At that time, Shae wasn’t really an option in our minds, or in Brian’s mind. But I really wanted a powerful program that could bring out more passion. When I first met Shae, I felt your passion, and I thought, 'I want her to make my program.' That’s when I decided. So, even before the Sochi Olympics, I was already thinking I wanted you to choreograph for me. I was still a teenager back then, so I wanted to show strength and power in my performances."

 

Shae-Lynn nodded and listened to Hanyu, then began talking about the time the two first worked together on the choreography.

 

Shae-Lynn: 

"I remember the times we worked together. I was impressed by how you knew from the very beginning what music you wanted to skate to. Not all skaters can identify the exact music they want, even if they know the direction they want to take. I was also impressed by the fact that you were still competing. You wanted to improve, to show more of yourself. In other words, you had a desire to elevate yourself, and that, to me, is passion. I saw that you truly loved this sport. I felt a depth in you, and I wanted to show that in your skating. At that time, you were light and graceful, but I knew you also wanted people to see the weight in your skating. I thought that if they did, they would see your many different levels and, as you said, your different emotions — a different side of you."

 

Hanyu:
"Among the programs Shae choreographed for me, the most contrasting ones are 'Hope & Legacy' and 'Phantom of the Opera.' There’s a lot of contrast between them, and as Shay said, I have very strong skating and also very light skating. But when we talked before, we agreed that we wanted to be like the moon. If the sun represents the audience, we wanted the audience’s feelings to shine through us, so we could shine like the moon. I always wanted my skating to reflect what the audience thought about the program. Of course, I know that there are many stories within us, but I always wanted my skating to reflect how the audience would feel about the program."

 

 

The Bond Between the Two Woven through "SEIMEI"

 

As the conversation grew more passionate through the exchange of their thoughts since they first met, it gradually shifted toward the process of creating the free program "SEIMEI" for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, where Hanyu achieved his second consecutive Olympic gold medal. The discussion also delved into the behind-the-scenes story of its creation.

 

Shae-Lynn: 

"I remember that for 'SEIMEI,' you had the whole playlist of the music. You sent me an email and provided all the information about it. The music was so beautiful, and I was so surprised. I closed my eyes and listened to it over and over again before starting the work. I couldn't wait to begin the choreography. The music had such depth, and there was a history to the story. In that story, of course, you were the character, and it was your life. When I read your words, I was able to understand you more. For me, that was the ultimate thing, because I feel that my goal is to uncover who the skater truly is—their true essence, spirit, and soul. On the first day, I knew that this would be a wonderful program. Even though it wasn't complete, I knew it already. That moment was so important, and just remembering it fills my heart. I almost want to cry because it felt like you began to show your soul."

 

Hanyu:
"In the previous discussion, you talked about how the person Yuzuru Hanyu appears in the program. Listening to that, I really thought about how when Shae created 'SEIMEI,' she explained many things, and I believe she also explained feelings and concepts that only Japanese people could understand."

 

Hanyu:
"I could tell that Shae studied a lot about 'SEIMEI' beyond what I had communicated. Additionally, since I’ve never seen Japan from outside the country, I didn’t know how to express Japan, but she was able to capture that essence accurately in the choreography. Because of that, I felt like I could really express myself. Since she deeply understood Japan and 'SEIMEI,' I felt reassured that she could understand who Yuzuru Hanyu is, and because of that, I think I was able to bring out my true self."

 

The bond between the two deepened with the birth of the legendary program.

Although "SEIMEI" was created in 2015, Hanyu is said to have had a strong conviction from the very beginning.

 

Hanyu:
"When 'SEIMEI' was created, I honestly thought, 'This is going to be my Olympic program.' It allows me to express myself, and it allows me to express Japan. It's a program that lets me showcase the Japanese culture and values that are so important to me. I felt there was no program that could express what I wanted to convey as well as this one."

 

 

"The Path of Challenge Continues Beyond 'Ten to Chi to'"

 

Towards the end of the conversation, Shae-Lynn mentioned two programs that held deep meaning for her. These were 'Hope & Legacy' from 2016 and 'Ten to Chi to,' which he performed at the Beijing Olympics.

 

'Ten to Chi to,' in which he attempted the quadruple Axel, was created remotely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning they never met face-to-face for the choreography sessions.

 

Shae-Lynn:
"These two programs really made me feel like I understood you. Because you imagined everything, and everything was in your vision. And the final program, I simply thought it was amazing. Even when things were difficult, even when you were struggling, even when you didn’t know why or what you were doing, or what the motivation was, I’m grateful that you didn’t run away from it. The final program, even though we were far apart, your words came into me, and it didn’t feel like you were in Japan and I was in America. When I was on the ice, I felt like you were right there with me. Thanks to your open attitude, I could feel your presence. That was the ultimate thing. Because beauty and truth are what truly reach people’s hearts. And that is what moves my heart and moves the audience’s heart. So, working on these programs was truly enjoyable."

 

Hanyu:
"For me, encountering the program 'Hope & Legacy' was truly something very important in my life."

 

Hanyu:
"When I was making that program, I didn't really develop a specific storyline. But through it, I felt the richness of nature and realized that humans are just a part of nature. It made me think a lot about what 'Yuzuru Hanyu' really is. It's not directly connected, but because I was able to express myself like that, 'Ten to Chi to' was created. That program, I believe, truly depicted the essence of my life as Yuzuru Hanyu."

 

After their roughly 30-minute conversation, the two stood up from their seats and continued exchanging words about what the future holds for Hanyu as he embarks on his new journey.

 

Finally, Shae-Lynn spoke to Hanyu with the following words.

 

Shae-Lynn:
"You need challenges. You'll never be satisfied, right?"

 

Hanyu quickly responded to this question.

 

Hanyu:

"When I'm challenging myself, I can feel my soul. And I can feel that I am alive."

 

 

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Program Introduction:
A documentary program that delves into the choreographic work of Shae-Lynn Bourne, including this conversation, will be aired on November 11th, Friday, at 10:50 PM on BS1. Be sure to watch it!