[2023.03] Yuzuru Hanyu Notte Stellata 2023

[yuzurujenn]

Articles & interviews relating to notte stellata 2023, held on Mar 10-12th at  Sekisui Heim Super Arena, Miyagi.

 

 

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2023.03.29

 

Source: https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/2062?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250113082307/https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/2062?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu's "Hope" ice show: "Even if it means sacrificing my own happiness, I will carry everything on my shoulders and move forward"

 

"Yuzuru Hanyu Notte Stellata" was held from March 10th to 12th to mark the 12th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. What Hanyu conveyed in his hometown of Miyagi was "hope." Here is an article from the April 3, 2023 issue of AERA.

 

Spoiler

A sky full of stars was projected onto the ice and the big screen, and the sound of "notte stellata" (starry night), which is also the title of the show, reverberated. Cheers erupted at the spectacular production that started with a solo by Yuzuru Hanyu (28).

 

"This time, the main theme was 'hope'. At the opening, the starry sky around the time of 3/11 was displayed on the screen, and I was able to skate with the feeling that 'I have been skating with the hope that has come from the starry sky.'"

 

On March 11, 2011, the same day that Hanyu himself was affected by the disaster, a star-filled night sky spread across Sendai after the city lost power. The concept of the show is based on the hope that Hanyu felt at that time. He had detailed discussions with general director David Wilson about how to convey the complex feelings he had about the disaster through the positive theme of hope.

 

"I talked with David about wanting to show the skaters in this cast like shooting stars, as if they were falling from the sky after my opening performance. My 'notte stellata' and the opening that follows it are seen as one program."

 

Collaboration with Kohei Uchimura

Joining him in the performance were eight guest skaters with whom he has a connection. Rika Hongo (26), born in Sendai, and Akiko Suzuki (37), who based her training base in Sendai during her university days, both performed in solemn remembrance. Satoko Miyahara (25), who competed alongside Hanyu at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, delivered an aesthetically pleasing performance. Jason Brown (28) from the U.S. made a special guest appearance despite the World Championships (March 22–26) being just around the corner, and commented on social media:

 

"Yuzu, thank you for giving me the opportunity to skate in this special show. Your heart and fighting spirit inspire me."

 

Then, there was a new initiative that strongly conveyed the theme of 'hope.' It was a collaboration with Kohei Uchimura (34), a legend in the world of gymnastics. It was a collaboration between two charismatic athletes who have both won Olympic gold medals.

 

"In the planning for something that’s not your typical ice show, the idea of collaborating with Uchimura-san came up."

 

At the end of the first act, the two of them appeared in black costumes with golden embroidery on the chest. As Uchimura began to spin on the pommel horse, Hanyu simultaneously performed a combination spin. Their rotations synchronized perfectly, causing a stir in the audience.

 

It felt like a match

 

Hanyu quickly accelerated and entered the jump course. Uchimura also started his run-up. Hanyu performed a quadruple toe loop, while Uchimura executed a double twist. Hanyu spoke about it:

 

"It felt a bit like a competition. I jumped a quadruple, and Uchimura-san also performed his technique with full commitment. While the floor and the ice rink are different places, the energy amplified, supported each other, and collided—there was this multiplication of forces."

 

As he had mentioned at his press conference last summer when he turned professional, "I want to do something that allows others to experience the tension of a competition."

 

The mutual inspiration was significant. Uchimura experienced Hanyu's concentration firsthand.

 

"Before the performance, at a distance of about two meters, I saw Hanyu-kun focused just like he does before the Olympics or World Championships. I saw it live and thought, "He really gives his all." He’s someone who gives 100% to everyone, and you can feel his thoughts and emotions coming through."

 

Hanyu also felt something from Uchimura.

 

"I really felt that we had the same aura. A charisma that draws people in, transcending the boundaries of sport or skill. To put it simply, I thought he was cool."

 

May it become your hope

 

The finale was the most meaningful moment for this show, which took place over three days spanning March 11. On the first day, after MISIA's "Kibou no Uta" and GReeeeN's "Michi", Hanyu took the microphone.

 

"Soon, it will be 12 years since that time. In the years to come, there will be difficult things, happy things, painful things, sad things, and times when we feel lonely. I hope that the programs that shone like our stars today will bring you even a little bit of hope."

 

The situation on March 11th, the day of the earthquake, was different. During his performance, Hanyu repeatedly touched the ice with his hands, and during his final greeting, his voice faltered. The venue, the Sekisui Heim Super Arena, had been used as a place to lay out bodies during the earthquake.

 

"This is truly a special place for the people of Miyagi Prefecture, the citizens of Sendai, and everyone. I wondered whether it was okay for me to skate here on March 11th, with the ice laid down. But today, I think we were able to create a moment where people could feel even a little bit of hope and kindness. I can affirm that the fact that I am alive and able to spend today here, in this venue, has some meaning."

 

On the same day, the memorial flower stand placed adjacent to the venue was filled with people offering silent prayers. It symbolized the significance of holding the show at this location on this day.

 

"Carry everything on my shoulders and move forward"

 

On the 12th, the atmosphere completely changed. The meaning of 'hope' became stronger. After the grand finale, BTS' "Dynamite" was played as a surprise, and Hanyu showcased a live dance. During his final greeting, he spoke for about seven minutes with a smile on his face, sharing his thoughts.

 

"Yesterday was such a painful, sad, and difficult day, but after a day had passed, I realized that I have to move forward beyond the sadness. If I let myself stay in a dark place, that wouldn’t be good, so I worked hard to shake it off, and I wanted to be a symbol of hope. (Omitted) I am happy to have been able to deliver hope to everyone, and at the same time, I want to continue to carry many things on my shoulders and dedicate my days solely to skating. Even if it means sacrificing my own happiness, I will move forward, carrying everything as Yuzuru Hanyu."

 

The feelings Hanyu infused into his performance changed over time. On the first day, it was a 'wish' for hope, including a challenge for new collaborations. On the 11th, it reflected his 'struggle,' and on the 12th, it was 'determination.' He carried the sadness of that day, transformed it into hope, and embraced the resolve to convey it. A certain soul resided in his chest at the age of 28. (Writer: Mie Noguchi)