[2014] Thank You for Your Support of "Yuzuru Hanyu’s Hometown Support"

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

2014.01.29

 

Source: https://asamizu.web.fc2.com/17tayori/2013/19.pdf

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231104192015/https://asamizu.web.fc2.com/17tayori/2013/19.pdf

 

News from the Asamizu Community Center:

Thank You for Your Support of "Yuzuru Hanyu's Hometown Support"

 

Issue No. 19, 2013
Published: January 29, 2014
Publisher: Center Director

 

Spoiler

It has now been one month since we launched the “Yuzuru Hanyu Furusato (Hometown) Support” on December 17 of last year. The support signature campaign concluded on January 21. We received many signatures and donations from a wide range of people, including residents of the Asamizu district, citizens of Tome City, former colleagues and alumni from Yoneya Technical High School, and even those originally from Asamizu who now live in Sendai and run businesses.

 

We received 1,757 supporters and donations totaling ¥909,500, far exceeding our initial expectations. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for everyone's generous cooperation.

 

On January 23, we welcomed Mr. Hidetoshi Hanyu, Yuzuru Hanyu’s father, to the Asamizu Community Center, where we formally handed over the signature list and the donations. Mr. Hanyu was deeply surprised and truly moved, expressing heartfelt appreciation.

At present, Yuzuru Hanyu is in the final stages of preparation in Canada and is reportedly in good health. He is scheduled to arrive in Sochi on February 2.

We were told that the sentiments of the local community would certainly be conveyed to Yuzuru. A copy of the signature list is being kept at the Asamizu Community Center. Thank you once again for your kind support and cooperation.

 

-Tsuta Onodera, Vice Leader of the Hanyu Yuzuru Furusato Support Group

 

 

Photo Caption: “Mr. Hidetoshi Hanyu,” Yuzuru Hanyu’s father, receives the signature list and donations from Group Leader Kasuga.

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

2014.03.07

 

Source: https://asamizu.web.fc2.com/17tayori/2013/21.pdf

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250818124856/https://asamizu.web.fc2.com/17tayori/2013/21.pdf

 

News from the Asamizu Community Center:

Yuzuru Hanyu's Furusato Support Squad Disbandment Ceremony Held

 

Issue No. 21, FY2013
Published: March 7, 2014
Publisher: Center Director

 

Spoiler

On February 21, the Yuzuru Hanyu Hometown Supporters Group held a disbanding ceremony to celebrate his achievement. Hanyu entered the Sochi Olympics with the goal of winning a gold medal, and thanks to the support of everyone in the local community, he brilliantly achieved the honor of a gold medal.

 

In light of this, the disbanding ceremony for the supporters group was held. During the event, there was an address from Representative Kasuga, a report on the group’s past activities, and a financial report. Additionally, the financial report was verified by Mr. Yasuo Hanyu and Takao Onodera, and the confirmation report was presented by Takao Onodera, who was in charge of overseeing the accounts.

 

Following that, there was a screening via projector of the February 17, 2014 NHK Special “Yuzuru Hanyu: The Road to Gold”. They also enjoyed songs performed by Mr. Ono, Mayor of the Nitta Ward, including “Sansa Shigure” and “Miyagi Daikokumai.” Lastly, since Yuzuru Hanyu’s roots are in Asamizu, everyone sang "Furusato" (Hometown) together to conclude the event.

 

 

Additional article:

Spoiler

Hometown Supporters in Tome Celebrate Again with Cheers / Disbandment Ceremony for Hanyu Support Group

 

A disbandment ceremony for the Yuzuru Hanyu Furusato Support Group, made up mainly of people from Tome City in Miyagi Prefecture where the father of Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu (19, ANA) is from, was held on the 21st at the Asamizu Fureai Center in Nakada Town, Tome City.

 

In celebration of Hanyu’s gold medal win in men's figure skating at the Sochi Winter Olympics, attendees broke open a handmade kusudama (decorative ball) and joined in three cheers of “banzai!” to once again share their joy.

 

Representative Ryogo Kasuga (80) said in his speech, “Tome City, where his (late) grandfather’s family home is located, is part of Hanyu’s roots. Thanks to everyone’s cooperation, we were able to gather the voices of support from the citizens.”

 

Attendees commented things like, “Let’s keep cheering so he can win again at the next Olympics,” and “I wish my late grandparents could’ve seen Hanyu today.”

 

The support group was formed in mid-December last year by residents of the Asamizu district, where Hanyu’s grandfather’s family home is, as well as his grandfather’s former colleagues from when he was a high school teacher.

 

They raised support funds from around 1,800 citizens, with contributions of 500 yen per person. In mid-January, they presented approximately 900,000 yen to Hanyu’s father, Hidetoshi.

 

 

[yuzurujenn]

(Adding some other mentions from the community over the years)

 

 

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

2018.02.23

 

Source: https://asamizu.web.fc2.com/17tayori/2017/38.pdf

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250820011701/https://asamizu.web.fc2.com/17tayori/2017/38.pdf

 

News from the Asamizu Community Center:

Cheering for Yuzuru Hanyu from Asamizu – Glorious Gold Medal and Olympic Victory Repeat

 

Issue No. 38, FY2017
Published: February 23, 2018

 

Spoiler

On February 16th, 34 people, and on February 17th, 40 people gathered in the special venue set up in the training room of the Asamizu Fureai Center to cheer for Yuzuru Hanyu, who competed in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics short program. This support was carried out by the leader of the "Yuzuru Hanyu Furusato (Hometown) Support Group", Mr. Ryogo Kasuga, and local residents.

 

The leader contacted us the night before, expressing a strong desire to cheer him on, so it was immediately decided. Even though it was a last-minute notice, many fans gathered and shouted things like “Do your best!” and “Go for it!” They all cheered together with loud applause whenever he landed a jump successfully.

 

Also, since the competition time on the 16th was delayed compared to the information on the 15th, the mothers in the support group thoughtfully prepared rice balls (onigiri) to provide food, showing the warm-hearted nature of the group.

 

Despite returning from injury and still having to take painkillers, Yuzuru Hanyu gave it his all and achieved a splendid gold medal and back-to-back Olympic victory.

 

Messages of congratulations poured in from all over Japan and around the world, but we, in Asamizu, Nakada Town, Tome City, continue to support Yuzuru Hanyu as his hometown.

 

Additionally, coverage by Kahoku Shimpo and Tohoku Broadcasting TV helped to further energize the local community.

 

 

Congratulations on the Gold Medal and Second Olympic Victory
Yuzuru Hanyu Men's Figure Skating Singles
Yuzuru Hanyu Hometown Support Group – Hand-made Soba "Yuzuru no Sato"

 

 

2018.02.17

 

Source: https://weibo.com/1428123685/4225503118371755

https://x.com/kahoku_shimpo/status/964612327558455296 (not archived)

 

<PyeongChang Olympics> Volunteers from Asamizu district, Tome City, the hometown of Hanyu's grandfather, watch the games on TV

 

Spoiler

The grandfather of men’s figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, the late Mr. Toshie Hanyu, was born in the Asamizu area of Nakada Town, Tome City. On the 16th, residents there spontaneously gathered to cheer for Hanyu, who was competing in the short program of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

 

At the Asamizu Community Exchange Center in the city, 34 people assembled and watched the large-screen TV broadcast intently. As soon as Hanyu began his performance, they sent cheers such as “Go for it!” and “Let’s go!” and when he landed jumps successfully, they clapped with joy.

 

Mr. Ryogo Kasuga (84), a former colleague of the late Mr. Toshie Hanyu, who used to teach at the former Yoneya Technical High School (now Tome General Industrial High School), expressed his hopes:

“Although few of us have actually met Yuzuru Hanyu, to the local residents, he feels like one of our own. He didn’t seem affected by the injury. I hope he can win back-to-back titles.”

 

According to Mr. Kasuga and others, Mr. Toshie Hanyu lived in the Asamizu area until graduating from Tome High School. After graduating from Hosei University, he worked at Yoneya Technical High School and lived in the city’s Towa-cho district.

 

During the previous Sochi Olympics, when Hanyu won his first gold medal, the residents formed a support group and watched the event on TV. At the soba shop “Yuzuru no Furusato” (“Yuzuru’s Hometown”), which is run by the Asamizu Community Management Council and only opens on Sundays, Hanyu fans from all over the country have come to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022.02.09

 

Source: https://asamizu.web.fc2.com/17tayori/2021/18.pdf

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250820012157/https://asamizu.web.fc2.com/17tayori/2021/18.pdf

 

News from the Asamizu Community Center:

Hanyu Yuzuru's Hometown Cheering Squad Formed 🎉 January 23rd: "Hanyu Yuzuru's Hometown Cheering Squad"

 

Issue No. 18, FY2021
Published: February 9, 2022

 

Spoiler

A founding meeting was held to decide on the formation of a cheering squad. The group is led by Ryogo Kasuga, and 27 members include alumni of Yoneya Technical High School (Yuzuru's grandfather was a teacher), Yuzuru's father's mentor, his grandfather's relatives, and local residents. The group has decided to support Yuzuru in his quest for a third consecutive gold medal at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

 

Television broadcast: ★ Men's Singles Short Program: Tuesday, February 8, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM on NHK BS1
★ Men's Singles Free Program: Thursday, February 10, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM on NHK General TV.

How to support: Although everyone wants to gather at the Fureai Center to cheer in large groups, we ask that you refrain from doing so and support from home. However, if there is no need to prevent the spread of infection or a state of emergency is declared, we would like to consider holding a small-scale public viewing at the Fureai Center. We ask everyone in the community to support Yuzuru Hanyu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011.03.08

 

Source: https://asamizu.web.fc2.com/17tayori/2010/17.pdf

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250820091736/https://asamizu.web.fc2.com/17tayori/2010/17.pdf

 

News from the Asamizu Community Center:

16 years old – 2nd place on debut / Figure skating roots in Asamizu!

 

Issue 17, FY2010
Published: March 8, 2011

 

Spoiler

February 20 (Sunday) – In the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, in the men’s division, a much-anticipated rising star, 16-year-old Yuzuru Hanyu (ゆづる, from Miyagi, Tohoku High School), delivered an outstanding performance, achieving a 1-2 finish with ace skater Takahashi!

 

In his first year after transitioning to the senior level, and in his first appearance at the event, he stood on the podium. Expectations for him are now incredibly high!!

 

By the way, the home of teacher Masayuki Hanyu in Asamizu-Shinden Ward was also the birthplace of Yuzuru Hanyu's grandfather (the late Mr. Toshie Hanyu, a former teacher at Yonetani High School, born in 1932), making Asamizu the hometown roots of this superstar.

 

From now on, representing Japan in figure skating and expected to be active on the world stage, why not make a point to cheer on Yuzuru Hanyu with this in mind?