yuzurujenn Posted July 13 Share Posted July 13 Written interviews published on his 3-years journey as a professional skater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuzurujenn Posted July 15 Author Share Posted July 15 *Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist* 2025.07.13 Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20250712-OHT1T51245.html?page=1 Archived: http://web.archive.org/web/20250713073339/https://hochi.news/articles/20250712-OHT1T51245.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu turns professional three years ago on the 19th. A special interview and photos will be serialized in Sports Hochi from the 15th. On July 19th, professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu (30) will be celebrating three years since turning professional. From a top-class athlete to the performer "Yuzuru Hanyu". To commemorate Hanyu's third anniversary as a professional, who continues to evolve as an athlete, Sports Hochi will run a five-part series starting on the 15th with a special interview by reporter Megumi Takagi and photos taken by photographer Taito Kobayashi. The pages and photos will also be available for purchase through the e-print service "Sports Hochi Yuzuru Hanyu," which allows you to print from a multi-copy machine at a convenience store . The pages of each issue will be available for sale the day after publication (the first issue will be around noon on the 16th), and the photos will be available for sale seven days later (the first issue will be around noon on the 22nd). 2025.07.15 Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20250714-OHT1T51246.html?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250715051414/https://hochi.news/articles/20250714-OHT1T51246.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu-san – Third year as a professional was “a year of knowing” – Into Unknown Depths with Mansai Nomura – Special Interview Part 1 Professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (30) marks three years since turning professional on July 19. In celebration of Hanyu’s continued evolution as an athlete, Sports Hochi will publish a special five-part interview series through the 19th. Part 1 focuses on “A Year of Knowing” and “Mansai Nomura.” (Interview and composition by Megumi Takagi) Spoiler Hanyu appeared at a hotel in Sendai City, and even on this day, he was dignified and beautiful. The moment he sat down on the sofa, he seemed to switch gears. He spoke at length about his third year as a professional. “There were so many things I didn’t know, and before I realized it, I had ended up learning all sorts of things. While studying, I thought, ‘Ah, I’ve somehow made it this far without acquiring so many things, without knowing so many things, without studying.’ It was a year in which I was able to recognize the parts of myself that were lacking.” Hanyu, who says he has been interested in philosophical questions since he was a child, also took on the challenge of writing a story with a philosophical theme in his ice show Echoes of Life. “Until now, I had vaguely been thinking about things like the philosophy of life in my own way. But when I was creating Echoes, especially when I was writing the lines for the Guide (a character in the show), I decided to study so I could incorporate the philosophies and ways of thinking proposed by philosophers into the script. After learning about various philosophies, I realized, ‘Oh, maybe what I was thinking all along connects to this kind of theory,’ or ‘This kind of idea existed before, and that’s why I was thinking this way.’ I also encountered history, like how the thinkers of the past were contemplating these things, and maybe what I’m thinking now is just something Socrates thought about back then. I experienced that kind of historical connection. The same goes for jumping (in skating). I had been able to jump cleanly based on a kind of feeling, but I realized that it was actually possible because there were these theories and because I had been using my body in a certain way. I was really able to learn all kinds of things. It truly felt like ‘a year of knowing.’ And precisely because I’ve come to know these things, I now want to refine what I’ve done so far even more and fully absorb the knowledge I’ve taken in now.” Days of continuous learning. For Yuzuru Hanyu, there is no such thing as maintaining the status quo. “That might be something that stems from being a competitor. Precisely because I’m an athlete, I continue to make effort every day. For example, if there were no awards to win or scores to aim for, and I were just studying vaguely, I don’t think things would have turned out this way. Until now, I’ve lived a life where rankings and scores were always clearly presented to me. I constantly had to ask myself: What kind of training do I need to do to earn higher scores? What should I be doing? I lived each day with those kinds of goals in mind. So I think that’s how I developed the habit of studying and of thinking about how to approach a goal. Just as I always have, I continue researching my body and, in the same mindset, I’ve also continued studying in the artistic and philosophical realms. In that sense, I truly feel glad that I pursued sports.” Since turning professional, he has had significantly more opportunities to interact with leading figures from various fields. In his third year, this included performing alongside kyogen actor Mansai Nomura (59) in the ice show Yuzuru Hanyu notte stellata. The influence Nomura had on Hanyu as he continues to refine his physical expression was profound. “The presence of Mansai Nomura was right there in front of me during notte. He danced with me. He performed with me. In a way, I was the closest person to directly receive his energy. It’s hard to put into words, but… it felt like he brought me into a different dimension. It was as if he was saying, ‘This is the world over here,’ and showing it to me. I truly felt like I had been taken there. Of course, it was because it was his Mansai Bolero that he brought that alternate dimension into the world of notte. Even if you think only in terms of expression within figure skating, I’ve been doing this for 26 years. But Mansai Nomura has devoted himself to the performing arts for almost as many years as he has lived. I wasn’t directly taught anything by him. He didn’t tell me to ‘watch and learn.’ But just being near him, I could feel the difference in depth. I realized again: this is how deep it can go. This is how far one can be taken.” [Note 1] Mansai Bolero is a solo performance that fuses Ravel’s ballet music Bolero with the traditional kyogen piece Sanbasō. Nomura premiered it in 2011 as an expression of mourning and hope for rebirth following the Great East Japan Earthquake. ◆ Ice Story An ice show for which Hanyu himself is responsible for the planning, script, performance, and overall production direction. He skates solo for about two and a half hours. The first installment was the solo performance GIFT at Tokyo Dome in February 2023. The second was the nationwide tour RE_PRAY, held from November 2023 through April the following year. The third installment was Echoes of Life, held from December last year through February this year. ◆ Echoes of Life (エコーズ・オブ・ライフ) An "Ice Story" directed and performed by Hanyu, held from December of last year to February this year. The story centers on a protagonist played by Hanyu, who was born through genetic engineering and questions the meaning of their existence while seeking hope in the world. It is based on a sci-fi-style story written by Hanyu himself. 2025.07.16 Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20250715-OHT1T51318.html?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250715204121/https://hochi.news/articles/20250715-OHT1T51318.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu – Competition Days Were “Records over Memories,” Longing for London – Special Interview Part 2 Professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (30) will mark the third anniversary of his professional debut on July 19. In this second part of the special interview commemorating the anniversary, the focus is on “records” and “London.” Spoiler Hanyu has lived with figure skating since he was four years old. During his competitive career, he consistently prioritized “records over memories.” “As I pursued figure skating as a sport, I did it with the goal of achieving results. Of course, when I first started skating, what made me happy was when my coach was pleased, or my parents were happy, when someone smiled because I did well. That’s definitely true. I think that’s a fundamental part of my personality, and it hasn’t changed. But for someone to be happy, results were always involved. Someone being happy was directly connected to me producing results. So I believed I had to achieve records rather than just memories. Even winning back-to-back Olympic golds—it’s not just the memory of it, it’s the record that ties it to the memory. In that sense, I’ve always thought that records were more important than memories. I also felt I shouldn’t just do it for my own satisfaction. And while I still believe I shouldn’t be self-satisfied, I think the nature of that belief has changed a little over time." There are fans who have continued to support him since his competitive days. There are also those who came to know the charm of Yuzuru Hanyu the skater after he turned professional. He strives to deliver the best performances to those who need him, to those who come to see him. “There are billions of people in the world, and the words that those billions of people desire are just as many as there are people. I don’t think I can say the exact words that every single one of those people wants to hear. I do aim to express something that can reach each person, everyone, but at the same time, I'm also a little resigned to the fact that it’s impossible. That’s something I need to acknowledge properly. So, my goal is to keep creating things for those who want to see me, for those who want to understand my form of expression, things that make them say, ‘Wow, I really saw something good.’” Then, suddenly, in the flow of the conversation, he said: “For some reason, I’m just really someone who wants to go to London right now (laughs).” Incidentally, Hanyu has never been to London. It was simply that a cityscape that appeared on X (formerly Twitter) caught his eye. “I think there are things that can only be felt because of that cloudy sky and that kind of cityscape. In the same way, I think Japanese scenery probably feels unique from the perspective of people overseas. Precisely because it exists within those landscapes, I believe there are expressions that come as a complete package, including that atmosphere. For example, say you go to a museum in Paris. There may be things there that you can only see at a museum in Paris, but you’re probably also savoring the air of Paris itself. As I continue doing Ice Story, I want to create something that makes people from around the world think, ‘I want to go to Japan and experience that whole atmosphere.’ I’m a living, breathing human being, so I can’t be preserved like a painting, and I won’t stay there forever like a sculpture. But we live in an age where things can be digitally preserved. I want to keep creating something that makes people living in this moment think, ‘I want to go there and see that, I want to experience something wonderful,’ and choose Hanyu’s Ice Story because of that.” He traveled overseas often for competitions. But he didn’t have time for sightseeing. The desire to experience the world and accumulate knowledge has grown stronger. “With the World Championships in Helsinki [Note 1], I think Hope and Legacy was what it was because I felt the very air of Helsinki. The same goes for the World Championships in Nice [Note 2]. The Mediterranean climate, the resort-like feel of the place, and the temporary gym-like venue—everything about it made it the 'Nice Worlds,' in my mind. I probably had those impressions back then too, but I hadn’t paid much attention to them. So now I feel I should really take the time to experience the things the world says are ‘good.’ Instead of dismissing them without trying, I feel like I need to actually feel for myself, ‘Ah, this really is good,’ and know it as part of my own cultural understanding. If I don’t do that, I won’t be able to confidently present something to the world and say, ‘This is something truly good.’ I feel I need to keep acquiring all kinds of knowledge.” Note 1: 2017 World Figure Skating Championships (Helsinki, Finland): After placing 5th in the short program, Hanyu performed Hope & Legacy in the free skate, setting a new world record for free skate score and making a comeback to win his second world title in three seasons, overcoming a 10.66-point deficit. Note 2: 2012 World Figure Skating Championships (Nice, France): At age 17, Hanyu made his debut at Worlds. Though 7th after the short program, he earned a personal best in the free skate (Romeo and Juliet) to win the bronze medal—making him the youngest Japanese man ever to stand on a World podium. This event is now known as the “legendary Nice Worlds.” 2025.07.17 Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20250716-OHT1T51177.html?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250716215129/https://hochi.news/articles/20250716-OHT1T51177.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu – Games, music, and "curiosity" fuels his creative endeavors – Special Interview Part 3 Professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (30) will mark three years since turning professional on July 19. The third part of the special interview commemorating his 3rd anniversary focuses on “curiosity” and “games.” Spoiler Before starting a game or a device, Hanyu-san thoroughly reads the instruction manual from cover to cover. His perfectionism and value for preparation are evident even in such actions. “I’ve loved reading instruction manuals since I was little. People find it really strange, though. But I want to start something only after I’ve read and properly understood the manual. I’m actually pretty cautious by nature. Even as a child, I wasn’t the type to just dive in right away after getting something. I wanted to understand it as much as possible. I’m the kind of person who wants to do things after fully understanding the logic behind them. I guess I have a bit of a researcher’s mindset (laughs).” It’s the same with role-playing games (RPGs). He makes sure to thoroughly read the strategy guides before starting. "Normally, most people don’t like spoilers. They go through the game themselves first, and only afterward look at spoilers or strategy guides and go, ‘Oh wow, so that’s what was there!’ But I look at the walkthroughs right from the start (laughs). I check them properly and then proceed. If I don’t check them properly beforehand, I sometimes can’t even move forward. I'm the type of person who isn't satisfied until I've thoroughly researched things like the dungeon layout and how to fight.” In the second installment of the ice story, “RE_PRAY,” he incorporated ethics and values from video game worldviews into the narrative. As a game lover, what has been Hanyu’s recent favorite? “Right now, I’m looking around various things to gather material for stories. Feels like I’m in a bit of a scouting phase right now. When I’m in that phase, I usually set the game to the easiest difficulty just to enjoy the story first. Then, after going through it once, I set it to the hardest mode. From easy to very hard. There’s a kind of thrill in suddenly switching to the hardest mode and properly defeating strong enemies (laughs). I just really want to be well-prepared. Also, I really hate not being able to do something. That’s probably a fundamental part of my personality, and I think that’s what’s allowed me to come this far. When it comes to skating, I don’t think I’ve reached the point where I can say I’ve done it perfectly using a ‘walkthrough.’ I still feel like I’m in the process of searching for that 'walkthrough.' But even so, over the course of these 26 years, despite having days when I feel down, I’ve pursued it intensely. That’s why, on the flip side, I feel such a strong gap when it comes to other things. Since I’ve come so far in skating, when I try something else and can’t do it, I end up going, ‘Why can’t I even do this?!’—and I kind of just give up." Hanyu, who is also well-versed in music, has an interest in musical instruments. "I really want to play bass and drums. I especially want to try bass... But honestly, even if I go all in, I’ll probably still end up being terrible at it. I might get really into it, but compared to how far I’ve gone with skating, I'd still be at the 'egg stage' with anything else. So it's like, I'm still inside the egg, there's a little crack in the shell, but I think, ‘Ah, maybe I won’t come out after all’ (laughs)." He has such a keen ear that he can pick out individual sounds and incorporate them into his programs on the ice. We asked why he chose bass and drums. He responded instantly. “Because I like their sound quality.” When listening to music, does his ear naturally focus on the bass and drums? “Maybe it does. I might be listening to the bass while picking up the vocal line. I probably notice the bass more than the vocals at first. Actually, maybe I listen to the drums the most. I guess I tend to really focus on the drums. Probably, my ear is naturally drawn to that kind of sound." His good sense of “otaku temperament” and insatiable curiosity across many areas give his artistry limitless depth. “I do have curiosity, after all. I think that kind of curiosity all leads to creation. There are times when I experience setbacks and moments when I feel joy from various things, really, many different emotions are swirling around in our daily lives. It’s precisely these swirling emotions that become the source of production and creation. While cherishing that, and consciously expanding the range of those feelings, I don’t want to just zone out and pass time. I hope to live fully, feeling deeply and experiencing as much as possible." 2025.07.18 Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20250717-OHT1T51175.html?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250717203800/https://hochi.news/articles/20250717-OHT1T51175.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu-san – Dedicating Himself to His Dream Is 'Proof of Life' — Reflections on the Beijing Olympics – Special Interview Part 4 Professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (30) marks three years since turning professional on July 19. In Part 4 of this special interview series commemorating the milestone, the main theme is the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Following his gold medal in Sochi (2014)—a first for a Japanese man—and his historic back-to-back win in PyeongChang (2018), Hanyu reflects on what would become his third and final Olympic appearance. Spoiler The Beijing Games three years ago were Hanyu’s final competition as an athlete. Even now, he holds himself to training and study routines that surpass those of his competitive days, performing solo shows that stretch over two hours. As an athlete who continues to push his limits, Hanyu reflects on what that third Olympics meant to him: “Looking back, I do think it was a good thing that I trained for the quad Axel (4A) leading up to Beijing. I was seriously aiming for results at that point. If I didn't have a clear goal, like results, I don’t think I could’ve pushed myself to train that hard. There might be a parallel world where I did land it, but the reality is that I’m living in this world where I didn’t succeed. And because I didn’t succeed, I’ve been researching the body even more intensely since then. I’m still training constantly, still striving for that quad Axel. What I learned back then, and the fact that I’m still pushing myself along that same path now, is something I’m certain of.” Hanyu hesitated until the very last moment before deciding to compete at the Beijing Olympics. He finally announced his participation at the Japanese Nationals in December 2021, and once again, the deciding factor was his dream jump, the quad Axel. “I couldn’t land the (quad) Axel at all before Nationals. I couldn’t land the 4A. Honestly, I was planning to retire at Nationals. Actually, I’d wanted to quit even earlier than that (laughs). I’ve said this before, that I wanted to retire after PyeongChang. I kept thinking, ‘I want to quit, I want to quit.’ But the thing is, I’m someone who’s always followed through on everything I’ve said in interviews. I kept saying, ‘I’m going to land the 4A,’ and ‘That’s what I’m working toward.’ So the thought of giving up halfway through and letting go of my dream was terrifying.” Having won Olympic gold in Sochi (2014) and again in PyeongChang (2018)—the first man in 66 years to win back-to-back Olympic titles in men’s singles—Hanyu had already achieved nearly everything in the sport. After PyeongChang, his biggest motivation became the quad Axel. “Lately, I’ve been thinking in a more philosophical way, and this idea has kind of become a core belief for me: I feel that continuing to dedicate myself to pursuing a dream is proof of my life. So letting go of that dream felt almost like losing my life itself. I think that’s how I’ve been seeing it all along. Because I kept saying, ‘I’m going to land the 4A,’ I just couldn’t bring myself to quit. And honestly, before I knew it, I had made it all the way to Beijing, and I was like, ‘Well… what now?’” His performance featured even more evolved transitions than at the PyeongChang Olympics. With meticulous attention to detail, he crafted a beauty truly characteristic of figure skating. He continued to chase his dream without abandoning his pursuit of ideals. “When I headed into Nationals in 2021, I was absolutely determined to land the Axel. That’s why I went for it. Until the very end, even during the six-minute warm-up, I didn’t know if I could do it, and I was hoping that maybe I could land it just once in the actual performance. I thought, ‘If I don’t land it at Nationals, I won’t be able to quit.’ And since I couldn’t land it, that’s basically what happened. I felt like, having come this close, there was no way I could just give up. That moment was the closest I’d ever come to landing the quad Axel. I told myself, ‘I can’t give up now.’ Because if I did, if I let it go, I felt like I would truly fall apart.” ◆ To Shun Sato and Mone Chiba, aiming for the Milano Olympics: “They’re hard workers. I hope their efforts are rewarded.” Yuzuru Hanyu offered words of encouragement to two younger skaters from his hometown, who are aiming for the 2026 Milano–Cortina Winter Olympics: Shun Sato (21, AIM Services/Meiji University) and Mone Chiba (20, Kinoshita Group), both from Sendai. Hanyu trained alongside them at Ice Rink Sendai. “I’ve been watching them since they were little. They’re really hard workers. They always practiced on their own a lot. Back when I was training, before the rink went bankrupt, I had access to lots of lessons with coaches and plenty of practice time. There were many hours of private ice time. But they grew up in a different era where they didn’t have as much access to private ice when they were little. Even so, they worked hard from a young age.” Currently, Sato trains in Saitama and Chiba in Kyoto, both pushing forward toward their first Olympic spots. “They’re in different environments now, but I truly believe all the effort they put in back then will pay off. I really hope their hard work is rewarded,” he said with a gentle expression. 2025.07.19 Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20250718-OHT1T51163.html?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250718210103/https://hochi.news/articles/20250718-OHT1T51163.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu reaches out his hand — In his 4th year as a pro, toward the "continuation of the continuation" – Special Interview Final Part On July 19, professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (30) marked the third anniversary of his transition to professional skating. In the final installment of a special interview commemorating this milestone, he wrote the phrase “The continuation of the continuation” by hand on a calligraphy board to express his aspirations for his fourth year as a pro. Spoiler He also expressed strong motivation for his self-produced ice show, “ICE STORY,” in which he serves as planner, writer, performer, and executive producer. “I want to keep creating,” he said. A relentless performer always striving for more, Hanyu continues to reach out toward even greater heights. On December 7th of last year, his birthday, following the premiere of “Echoes of Life,” Hanyu shared his goals for his 30s—brimming with the spirit of an athlete: “I want to face each practice, training, and performance with hope for my own future and the constant determination to seize every chance I get.” So what does “a chance” mean to Hanyu now? “I wonder… maybe it’s the hope found in daily life. In a previous interview I was asked: ‘Do you ever think about parallel worlds?’ I remember saying, ‘If I hadn’t chosen skating, I wouldn’t be who I am now.’ Just choosing skating in the first place meant I kept reaching for opportunities, and when those chances came, I was able to quickly grab them properly, and I think that’s why I’ve become who I am now. That’s probably because, even after choosing skating, all the way up until now, I’ve kept reaching out like that, thinking ‘I want to become this kind of person.’ And in those moments when I felt ‘I can become that,’ I had properly prepared for it. That’s why I think I’ve been able to grab hold of many different things.” Hanyu has often said, “The future is truly uncertain.” And it’s precisely because of that uncertainty that he lives each moment earnestly, wholeheartedly, and with everything he has. “I might just be reaching out into total darkness. My image of the ideal self, what I call my ‘ideal figure,’ keeps changing more and more every day. It’s not about whether I can achieve it or not, but because I’m now standing in the place of what kind of image I choose to draw, just reaching out might not have any meaning. But if, by chance, at the end of where I’ve been reaching, something is there, something like my ideal, in the moment when it brushes against my hand, I want to make sure I can properly grab it. I’ve always been doing this kind of act, of grasping something, as an athlete from the very beginning, so I think that’s why I’ve become this 'mass of thought' that is Yuzuru Hanyu.” Dancing with his whole heart and soul, like a light gently illuminating and staying close, his presence itself feels like hope. To the outside world, it may seem like he’s constantly giving, day in and day out. But Hanyu himself sees it differently. “If anything, I think there are more moments when I’m the one receiving. Of course, there’s all the support and cheers from fans, the comments, the reactions I see in various places. I’m so grateful for all of it, and I feel a huge amount of energy from that. It really makes me think: yes, this is why I do what I do. Also, I get a lot of energy from the artists I love, like Mrs. GREEN APPLE, Kenshi Yonezu, BUMP OF CHICKEN… Through their music, through art, and through so many people’s thoughts and feelings out there in the world, I receive so much. That’s why, from everything I take in, I try to squeeze out even just a little bit of my soul, turn it into a droplet, and give it back somehow. So conversely, I feel like I spend more time receiving than giving.” When asked about moments in daily life that move his emotions, Hanyu recalled the last time he cried was while watching the animated film “Belle” (Ryū to Sobakasu no Hime, directed by Mamoru Hosoda). “I really like Mamoru Hosoda’s films. I watch a lot of them. Right now I’m watching various movies as creative inspiration. I watch movies, and also anime like The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto). I laugh and cry while watching anime, and honestly, I find myself tearing up at things like that pretty often in everyday life (laughs).” It seems Hanyu is spending his days with a constant spark of creative energy. He said, “I want to keep creating Ice Story.” Toward the “continuation” of the “continuation.” Yuzuru Hanyu pursues his ideals, reaches out his hand, and seizes them. “I’ve finally come to realize just how much I didn’t know before. And at last, ICE STORY has begun to take shape. After doing RE_PRAY and Echoes, everyone involved have started to get a real sense of what it means to create an ICE STORY, and what kind of progression or flow might lead to its best form. With that in mind, I feel like we’re finally standing on solid ground. From here, it’s about how deeply I can internalize it not just as an idea or knowledge, but really connecting it to my expression. I want to develop it with such precision that it seeps into every cell of my body.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wintek Posted July 15 Share Posted July 15 *Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist* 2025.07.16 Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20250715-OHT1T51318.html?page=1 Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20250715204121/https://hochi.news/articles/20250715-OHT1T51318.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu: Competition Days Were “Records over Memories” —Longing for London –Special Interview Part 2: On His 3rd Anniversary as a Pro Spoiler Professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu-san (30) will mark three years since turning professional on July 19. In this second installment of the commemorative interview series, the themes are “Records” [記録] and “London.” (Interview & Composition: Megumi Takagi) Hanyu-san has lived together with figure skating since he was four years old. During his competitive days, the foundation of his approach was “Records [記録] over Memories [記憶]”. [1] “In doing figure skating as a sport, I did it in order to leave behind results. Of course, at the origin of when I started skating, there’s no doubt that it was things like: when I did well, my teacher was happy, my parents were happy, someone was happy, and that made me happy too. I think that’s probably a fundamental part of my personality, so it hasn’t really changed. But in that equation of ‘someone being happy,’ results [2] were absolutely always there. By getting results, someone would be happy. So, rather than memories, I always had to get records. Rather than the memory of having won two Olympic gold medals, it’s through the record that those memories are connected to. So in that sense, I’ve always thought: ‘Records over memories’. That it must not become self-satisfaction, and that’s something I still think even now. Though, perhaps the nature [3] of that idea has changed a little.” There are fans who have supported him since his competitive days. And there are also those who discovered the appeal of Yuzuru Hanyu the skater after his professional transition. For those who need him, for those who come to see him, he strives to deliver the best possible work. “There are billions of people in the world, and the number of words those billions of people are wanting is equal to that number. I don’t think I can speak words that all of those people want to hear. I’m aiming to create expressions that can reach each one of them, every person, but there’s also a bit of resignation in knowing that I can’t do that. That’s something I have to properly acknowledge. That’s why, for those who feel like, ‘I want to see what he’s doing,’ or, ‘I want to know his expression,’ my goal is to just keep creating works where they’ll feel, ‘Ah, I really saw something good.’” And then, suddenly, he said: “Somehow, I’m really just someone who wants to go to London right now (laughs).”[4] Incidentally, Hanyu-san has never been to London. A street view that came up on X [formerly Twitter] caught his eye. “I think that, precisely because of that cloudy sky and that cityscape, there are certain things you can feel only there. And in the same way, I think that Japanese scenery probably looks unique from the perspective of people overseas. I believe that expressions can exist as a kind of complete package that includes that kind of scenery, and that it’s because they’re within those landscapes that they reach people in a certain way. For example, say you go to Paris and visit a museum. There may be works there that you can’t see unless it’s a Parisian museum, but you’re also probably savoring it along with the Parisian air. When it comes to doing my Ice Stories, I want to make something that people from around the world will want to come to Japan for, something that makes them think, ‘I want to experience that atmosphere with everything included.’ Because I’m a living human being, I can’t remain like a painting. I can’t stay there like a sculpture forever. But it’s a time where things can be preserved digitally. So I want to keep creating something where people, those alive right now, will choose to come here, wanting to see it, wanting to feel something good, and pick Hanyu’s Ice Story as what they want to experience.” He had traveled abroad often for competitions. But there was never time to go sightseeing. The desire to experience the world, to accumulate knowledge, that feeling has grown. “The Helsinki Worlds, I think Hopurega [note 1] was what it was because I was able to feel the atmosphere of Helsinki. I think the same probably goes for the Nice Worlds [note 2]. There was the Mediterranean climate, it was a resort-like place, and we competed in this sort of temporary gymnasium, so I think there was a Nice Worlds precisely because of that. I’d probably felt these things at the time, but I didn’t pay much attention to them. That’s why I feel now that, if there’s a chance, I want to come into contact with the things that people around the world are saying are ‘good.’ I can’t afford to be a picky eater [食わず嫌い]; if I don’t properly feel and understand why something is considered ‘good,’ and know that it’s good, if I don’t know it as cultivated knowledge[5], then I won’t be able to present things to the world and say, ‘This is something good.’ I really think I need to keep absorbing all kinds of knowledge.” 【Note 1】 The 2017 World Championships (Finland): After placing 5th in the short program (SP), Hanyu came back in the free skate (Hope and Legacy) to break the world record for the highest free program score. With a 10.66-point comeback, he won his second world title after three seasons. 【Note 2】 The 2012 World Championships (France): Hanyu’s debut at age 17, later called the “Legendary Nice Worlds.” Despite placing 7th in the SP, he earned a personal best in the free skate (Romeo and Juliet), winning bronze, the youngest Japanese male skater to medal at Worlds. Translation Notes [1] It could also be read as prioritizing Records rather than Memories. 記憶 (きおく / kioku）means something remembered by the mind. It refers to subjective experiences, impressions, emotional recollection. 記録（きろく / kiroku) , an official record, a documented fact or achievement; something measurable and concrete. [2] 結果（けっか / kekka), “Result,” “Outcome,” “Consequence.” It emphasizes the final product of a process, not the process itself. [3] 質（しつ / shitsu), “Quality,” “Nature,” “Substance” [4] 「なんか僕、今すごいロンドンに行きたい人間なんです（笑）」the tone is more like Yuzuru musing about the idea. And uses the city as a symbol of a mood or aesthetic he’s intrigued by, not necessarily a project announcement. [5] 教養（きょうよう / kyōyō), “Culture,” “Cultivation,” “Liberal Education.” 教 = to teach, to instruct; 養 = to nourish, to foster, to raise => together, “To nourish through teaching.” It’s about developing judgment, taste, sensibility, being someone who has thought deeply about things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wintek Posted July 16 Share Posted July 16 *Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist* 2025.07.17 Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20250716-OHT1T51177.html?page=1 Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20250716215129/https://hochi.news/articles/20250716-OHT1T51177.html?page=1 [20225/07/17] Yuzuru Hanyu – Games, Music, and the “Curiosity” That Powers His Creative Work –Pro 3rd Year Anniversary Interview, Part 3 Spoiler Interview & Composition: Megumi Takagi Professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (30) marks three years since turning pro on July 19. To commemorate the 3rd anniversary, Sports Hochi is running a special interview in five parts. The third instalment is about “Curiosity” and “Games.” Before starting a game or machine, Hanyu reads the instruction manual thoroughly, down to the very last corner. His perfectionist mindset, and the value he places on preparation, come through in even such moments. “Ever since I was little, I’ve loved reading instruction manuals. People find that really strange, but I want to start something after properly understanding it by reading the manual. I’m actually more of a cautious type than you'd think. Even as a kid, I wasn’t the kind of child who’d just go bam! and start playing with something right away after getting it. I wanted to understand it as much as possible. I’m the kind of person who wants to do things only after understanding the logic behind them properly. That’s just how I am by nature. I guess you could say I have a researcher temperament (laughs).” The same goes for role-playing games (RPGs). He reads the guide and strategy info thoroughly before starting. “Normally, people don’t like spoilers, they’ll go through a game properly first, and then look at spoilers or walkthroughs, and be like, ‘Oh, there was something like this here!’ But I, well, I look at the guide right from the start (laughs). I look at it properly, and then play. If I don’t look at it properly first, I can’t move forward. I’m the type who can’t be satisfied unless I thoroughly investigate things, like the dungeon layout, or how to fight before actually doing it.” In his second Ice Story, “RE_PRAY,” he embedded moral and ethical themes drawn from game worlds. So what games has Hanyu, a devoted gamer, been enjoying recently? “Right now, I’m kind of exploring a bunch of things, collecting material for stories. I’m in a kind of searching phase. And even in times like that, I’m the kind of person who first sets it to the easiest difficulty, just to enjoy the story, that’s just how I tend to do it. Then, after going through it once, I’ll switch to the hardest mode. From easy to very hard. There’s something really satisfying about suddenly switching to a difficult mode and properly defeating the strong enemies (laughs). I just really want to be prepared. Also, I really hate not being able to do something. That’s probably just a fundamental part of my personality, and maybe it’s because of that that I’ve been able to keep going this far. When it comes to skating, I still don’t think I’ve been able to perfectly pull it off even with the walkthrough. I’m still in the middle of looking for that strategy guide[1]. But still, somehow or another, I’ve managed to keep pushing through these 26 years, even on the days I feel down. So on the flip side, the gap between that and how I am with other things becomes huge. Because I’ve come this far with skating, when I try something else, I’m like, ‘Why can’t I even do this!’, and I end up quitting, that kind of thing.” Deeply versed in music, Hanyu has also taken an interest in instruments. “I really want to play bass and drums. I want to play bass, but… Even if I go that far with it, no matter how far I take it, I’ll probably still be bad at it. I might get really into it, but the degree to which I’ve mastered skating is just too high, so compared to others, I'm still in the egg stage. So it's like cracking the shell from inside the egg, a little, seeing the cracks, and not wanting to come out (laughs).” He has such a keen ear that he picks up each individual sound and incorporates it into his performances. So why did he pick bass and drums? His answer was immediate. “Because I like the sound quality.” So even while listening to music, it’s the bass and drums that catch his attention? “That might be the case. While picking up the vocal line, I might be listening to the bass too. Maybe I’m listening to the bass more than the vocals right from the start. Ah, but maybe I’m actually listening to the drums the most. I might be really focused on the drums. I guess I just have ears that lean more in that direction.” His “otaku temperament,” in a good sense, and an endless curiosity that stretches into many directions, continue to make his range as an artist feel limitless. “I do have curiosity, after all. And I think all that curiosity connects to creation. Like, really, things like setbacks in all kinds of areas, or moments of joy in all kinds of areas, there are just all kinds of emotions swirling around in daily life. I think it’s exactly those whirlpools of emotion that become the source of production and creation. I want to cherish that, and while building up that kind of range or depth, I don’t want to just spend my days in a daze, I want to spend them feeling as many things as I can.” ◆Notice: The pages and photos are also available for purchase through the e-print service "Sports Hochi Hanyu Yuzuru," which can be printed from a multi-copy machine at a convenience store. The pages (three types including a special layout for the first issue, two types thereafter) will be available for purchase from the day after each issue is published, and Translation Notes: [1] 攻略本（こうりゃくぼん / kōryakubon）guidebook for conquering something, commonly used in the context of video games to mean a “strategy guide.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wintek Posted Thursday at 09:19 PM Share Posted Thursday at 09:19 PM *Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist* 2025.07.18 Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20250717-OHT1T51175.html?page=1 Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20250717203800/https://hochi.news/articles/20250717-OHT1T51175.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu: Dedicating[1] himself to his dream is proof of life –What the Beijing Olympics meant to him –3rd Anniversary of Turning Pro, Interview Part 4 Spoiler Professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (30) will mark three years since turning pro on July 19. The fourth part of this special interview series commemorating his third anniversary focuses on the 2022 Beijing Olympics. After winning Japan’s first men’s gold at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and achieving a historic back-to-back victory at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics for the first time in 66 years, Hanyu entered his third Olympic Games. We asked him what that experience means to him now. (Interviewer/Writer: Megumi Takagi) Beijing, three years ago, was Hanyu’s last competitive event. Even now, he continues to impose on himself training and research that surpass even the quality and volume of his competitive days, performing solo shows that exceed two hours in length. As someone who still lives as an athlete, Hanyu reflected on what his third Olympics means to him now. “I think it was good that I trained for the 4A (quad Axel) up until Beijing. For that, I really was aiming for results. If I hadn’t had a clear goal like results, I probably couldn’t have pushed myself that far in training. There might be a parallel world out there where I succeeded at that moment, but since I live in the world where I didn’t succeed at that time, it’s exactly because I didn’t succeed that I’m still researching the body like crazy, still trying to struggle and push forward toward the quad Axel, continuing all kinds of training. What I was able to learn there, and the fact that I’m still able to keep fighting as an extension of that time, I feel that’s something certain.” His decision to compete in Beijing was not made until the very last moment. At the Japan Nationals in December the year before, he finally declared his intent. The final push behind that decision, too, was, of course, the dream jump. “I couldn’t land the (quadruple) Axel up until Nationals. I couldn’t land the 4A before Nationals. Honestly, I was planning to retire at Nationals at that time. If anything, I had wanted to quit even earlier (laughs). I think I’ve said this before, but I wanted to retire after PyeongChang. I was thinking all the time, ‘I want to quit, I want to quit.’ But… I’m someone who has ended up accomplishing everything I’ve ever talked about in interviews so far. So I couldn’t quit halfway through, to be honest. I had kept saying I would land the 4A. I had said that I was doing it for that. The thought of giving up halfway through, of letting go of my dream, was really terrifying.” He had already won back-to-back Olympic golds in Sochi and PyeongChang a feat in men’s singles not achieved in 66 years. He had taken what there was to take. After PyeongChang, the greatest motivation left was the quad Axel. “Lately I’ve been seriously philosophizing[2] about this, and it’s something that’s become one of the core beliefs inside me[3]. I believe that continuing to devote myself in pursuit of a dream is the proof of my life. So to let go of that… it would be like losing my life itself, to that extent, that’s how I kept thinking. Because I said I would land the 4A, I couldn’t ever stop. And honestly, I had gotten all the way to Beijing and thought, ‘Oh no, what do I do now?’, that’s how it was.” In Beijing, he pursued his ideals to the end even more refined than in PyeongChang, his performance was built with great care, including every transition, filled with figure skating’s distinctive beauty down to the smallest detail. “Going into Nationals (in 2021), I had absolutely decided that I would land the Axel there. That’s why I did it, even at that time. Until the very end, up to the 6-minute warm-up, I didn’t know if I’d be able to. And I thought, ‘Maybe I can try it just once in the actual performance,’ and I did it, holding onto that hope. I thought, if I couldn’t land it at Nationals, I wouldn’t be able to quit. So… because I couldn’t land it, that’s what it was. After coming that close, I wasn’t about to just give up. That was the closest I had ever come to landing the 4A. So I told myself, ‘I can’t give up here.’ If I gave up and let go of it then, I felt like I’d truly fall apart[4].” ◆ To Shun Sato and Mone Chiba — Fellow Sendai skaters aiming for Milan Olympics: “They work so hard. I want them to be rewarded.” Hanyu shared warm words of encouragement for two younger skaters from his hometown who are aiming for the 2026 Milan–Cortina Olympics: Shun Sato (21) of Aim Services/Meiji University, and Mone Chiba (20) of Kinoshita Group, both from Sendai City, and once fellow skaters at Ice Rink Sendai. “I’ve watched them since they were little. They really are such hard workers. They did a lot of independent practice. I practiced at the rink before it went bankrupt[5], so when I was little, I had teachers watching me closely during lessons, and I had a lot of practice time. There were also lots of private rink hours. But those kids, they weren’t part of a generation that had lots of private time at the rink. Even so, they kept working so hard from a young age.” Now, Sato trains in Saitama, and Chiba in Kyoto, each striving toward their first Olympic berth. “Even though they’re in different environments now, I believe all the effort they put in back then will definitely live on. I hope they’ll be rewarded,” he said with a gentle expression. TRANSLATION NOTES: [1] 研鑽 (けんさん / kensan), Diligent study, devoted effort, polished refinement through sustained, often quiet and introspective, effort. [2] 哲学 (てつがく / tetsugaku), philosophy, in both the academic and personal sense; a system of thinking, a way of seeing life, or one’s beliefs about existence or purpose. [3] 芯にあるもの (Shin ni aru mono) → “Core belief” / “Something at my core” [4] 崩壊 （ほうかい / hōkai), collapse, breakdown, crumbling. Can be physical (a building), societal (a system), or emotional (a person). [5] This is a reference to the closure of the ice rink in Sendai caused by company insolvency around 2004–2006. 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yuzurujenn Posted Saturday at 07:00 AM Author Share Posted Saturday at 07:00 AM *Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist* 2025.07.19 Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20250719-OHT1T51008.html?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719065945/https://hochi.news/articles/20250719-OHT1T51008.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu celebrates his 3rd year as a professional skater by saying, "I will continue to move forward"... A message on social media On July 19th, three years after turning professional, figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu posted a message on his official Twitter and Instagram accounts. "It's been three years since I turned professional! I've received so much support which has given me great encouragement. Thank you always and until now! I will continue to move forward," he wrote, concluding with emojis of wings, skates and ice. The video was accompanied by a 1 minute 44 second video from the third Ice Story, "Echoes of Life," which was held from December last year to February this year, and at the end, he delivered a voice-over message saying, "Thank you very much. I will continue to move forward." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuzurujenn Posted Saturday at 07:05 AM Author Share Posted Saturday at 07:05 AM *Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist* 2025.07.19 Source: https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2025/07/19/kiji/20250718s00079000375000c.html?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250718215649/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2025/07/19/kiji/20250718s00079000375000c.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu: Growing Stronger in His Fourth Year — “Reaching for What I’m Aiming At and What I Can See” Yuzuru Hanyu (30), the two-time Olympic champion in men’s figure skating, marked exactly three years since turning professional on the 19th. This year again, coinciding with this milestone of entering the professional world, he agreed to an interview with the Sponichi newspaper, showing various expressions during the photoshoot and candidly revealing his current state in the interview. Spoiler He has been pursuing the path of a professional for three years, a path without a definitive correct answer. From December 7 last year, when he turned 30, until February this year, he completed the third installment of Ice Story, Echoes of Life. In March, at the notte stellata event in Miyagi, he realized a dream collaboration with Kyogen actor Mansai Nomura. He looks back on this year as “the year when the comprehensive art I want to create became solidified.” And now, the fourth year. The separate motivations of meeting the expectations of those around him and staying true to performances he genuinely believes in “are blending together like a gradient.” Because of that, he nods in agreement, saying, “I have more confidence in what kind of things I want to create.” The fundamental theme that drives him to continue performing with all his soul is “to live fully in the present and to perform in a way that makes me want to keep living from now on.” By combining his outstanding figure skating skills with new artistic genres, the clarity of his expression is heightened and its impact strengthened. He also says, “I realized that it’s okay to hold an ideal form along this path.” Because he has firmly pursued the path he believes in, he now clearly sees new possibilities ahead. “Reaching for what I’m aiming at and what I can see.” The trail he carves on the ice will continue to weave a new legend. Source: https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2025/07/19/kiji/20250719s00079000139000c.html?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719051933/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2025/07/19/kiji/20250719s00079000139000c.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu’s Third Year as a Professional (1): Expanding the perspective "unique to sports" to "comprehensive art" Yuzuru Hanyu, the two-time Olympic champion in men’s figure skating, marked exactly three years as a professional on the 19th. From the Noto Peninsula Reconstruction Support Charity Performance last September, to Ice Story Part 3, Echoes of Life, which he completed from his 30th birthday on December 7 last year through February this year, and the notte stellata event in Miyagi in March, he has captivated audiences with performances that exceed imagination. Hanyu, who continues to walk his solitary path, shared his thoughts. [Part (1) Comprehensive Art] Spoiler —You have accumulated various experiences during your third year as a professional. Looking back, especially including your sense of accomplishment with Echoes of Life, how would you describe this past year? “The form of Ice Story started to take shape somewhat during RE_PRAY two years ago. After finishing the third installment, Echoes of Life, this past year was when what I aim for and the comprehensive art I want to create really solidified.” —What does “comprehensive art” mean to you, Hanyu? “Arts like painting, singing, and dancing definitely require considerable effort. Especially when it comes to dance, a lot of physical training, stamina, and technical skill are necessary. However, the figure skating I have pursued is a sport that is even more fundamentally athletic in nature. Of course, the scoring includes what’s called the artistic score, but honestly, that artistic score is only based on objective criteria. It’s not really emotional — it’s more like, ‘Because this skating is done this way, points are awarded,’ or ‘Because this matches the music like this, points are given.’ So far, I’ve tried to master those things that have been put into a certain mold, whether it’s jumps, spins, or skating skills. Because of that, I believe there is an artwork that can be created from a perspective unique to sports. Since turning professional, I’ve been able to incorporate the help of people like MIKIKO-sensei and the team at Geek (Pictures), adding the essence of true entertainment and art creators, combining those elements. I think that’s something that can only be done through Ice Story. For example, if a gymnast did this performance, I think it would become something completely different. If a figure skater other than Yuzuru Hanyu did this, would it become Ice Story? I think it would be something different again. So, in that sense, I feel that I’ve been able to newly define something that only Yuzuru Hanyu can do.” Source: https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2025/07/19/kiji/20250719s00079000140000c.html?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719052624/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2025/07/19/kiji/20250719s00079000140000c.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu’s Third Year as a Professional (2): A prayer on the ice: "My desire to skate alongside others is at the core of my being." [ (2) Fundamental Theme ] Spoiler —Starting with ‘Echoes of Life,’ the Ice Story series continues to ask the question of the meaning of life. How do you feel about conveying that theme, and what direction do you see going forward? “At the core, I want to continue holding onto that. Considering from last year’s Noto Peninsula charity event through to March’s ‘notte stellata,’ among all the skating I’ve done so far, especially related to the earthquake disaster and other things, the desire to skate in a way that supports and stays close to others has always been at the root. Including all of that, the meaning behind why I skate is some kind of prayer. When someone watches, it doesn’t have to convey an overwhelmingly positive message, but I want my performances to always hold at their core the idea of ‘living in the now’ and to inspire people to want to ‘keep living’ from this moment forward. However, performances aren’t always gentle and mellow, nor are they always philosophical. Sometimes there are upbeat pieces like ‘Let Me Entertain You.’ Even in very dark, emotional pieces like ‘Requiem of Heaven and Earth,’ the essence of ‘living’ is present, and I want to keep pursuing various expressions rooted in that feeling.” —‘Echoes of Life’ carried the message that a series of life choices connects to the present. Looking back at your own life at milestones, have you ever thought about parallel worlds and how you might be in them? “I think about it a lot. To put it very simply, I wonder what kind of world it would be if I hadn’t chosen figure skating and had chosen baseball instead. Given my physique, there are certainly baseball players who succeed at around 160 cm, but generally speaking, imagining a future where a player of 160 cm succeeds isn’t that easy, right? Thinking about that, if I hadn’t encountered figure skating and had gone down the baseball path, maybe it would have ended at the middle school club level, and I might have gone more seriously into academics in high school. Or since I like music, maybe I would have gone into music. I imagine many things. But for now, I’m in the world where I chose figure skating. So for now, I don’t know how the world will turn out.” —So, meeting figure skating shaped who you are today, right? “That’s probably the biggest thing. Of course, there’s probably also the aspect of having come to be this way through the process of cellular division over time. But when it comes to something I decided by my own will, the biggest turning point was definitely choosing figure skating. If I look at a parallel world, I might be a scholar or maybe someone working part-time at a convenience store. I don’t know. Every time I think about those parallel worlds, it makes me want to live my life to the fullest.” Source: https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2025/07/19/kiji/20250719s00079000141000c.html?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719060104/https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2025/07/19/kiji/20250719s00079000141000c.html?page=1 Yuzuru Hanyu’s Third Year as a Professional (3): Combining with New Genres: ‘Respect and Greater Professionalism’ [ (3) Possibilities that emerge from combining with new genres ] Spoiler —Right after turning professional, you had a strong desire to meet the expectations of those around you, and I think that made your drive to pursue what you yourself believe is good, and to create quality work, even stronger. Have those two motivations changed or have they begun to overlap? “They’ve been blending more gradually like a gradient. Hearing your question reminded me that when I first turned pro, I really felt I had to live up to those expectations. Of course, even now, meeting those expectations remains the fundamental premise. Meeting them is directly linked to the need to pursue even better work. What I want to do, what I aim for, and what I believe is good, and meeting everyone’s expectations have become closely tied together. I think that’s connected to the fact that the definition of ‘Ice Story’ has begun to take shape. The reason that definition has started to form is, in a way, because I’ve started to feel a certain sense of accomplishment that the fans think what I create is good. That has allowed me to gradually gain confidence in what I create, what we believe is good, and now I’m more confident about how to pursue it further, and what kind of things to build going forward. I think that’s the strongest feeling right now.” —You’ve refined figure skating and created Ice Story by combining it with other genres. How do you view the learning and updating you’ve done outside of figure skating itself? “I think figure skating is fundamentally an interdisciplinary art. To go way back, it started with skating to classical music—nobles skating to waltzes and such, which is part of figure skating’s history. It wasn’t the diverse figure skating we know today. In fact, during my competitive career, I skated not only to classical music but also to blues, jazz, rock, and many other genres. So for me, skating to various styles has always been a part of figure skating. Also, figure skating is known as a sport with a high degree of artistry; you need to master various styles of dance as well as different types of jumps. Considering all that, figure skating is more about mastering a collection of diverse skills rather than perfecting just one thing. In that sense, what I’m doing now isn’t so different. Listening to various music genres, incorporating different kinds of artistic elements, and combining them, that feels like a natural extension of what I’ve done in figure skating so far. However, I also believe that I need to carefully and thoroughly deepen my knowledge and skills in those other areas I’m combining with figure skating. Otherwise, it just ends up being figure skating, or just the Yuzuru Hanyu of competitive skating, nothing more. I feel that now is the time to show respect to the fields I’m combining with and to approach those with a greater level of professionalism. So, it’s not really about a specific thing. It may be that what I’m doing now isn’t that much different from before after all.” — Expanding this combination with other genres connects to broadening your own possibilities. "Yes, that’s right. I’ve always loved dancing in various genres, and being able to do so is one of my strengths. Until now, it’s been more like ‘I’ve done a bunch of different genres,’ but now I want to understand more deeply on the theories like, ‘If it’s blues, there are these kinds of chord progressions, this history behind it, and now I use my body in this way based on these theories…’ I want to gain that kind of knowledge more systematically and then connect it properly to my physical expression. That’s the kind of work I need to do going forward." — While pursuing more athlete-like strength, how do you want to improve your technique, physique, and expressiveness going forward? “It’s not just about how I use my body or muscle strength. I still think there’s a lot of room for improvement. Every month, almost every week, I discover new areas to work on. I try lots of different things and realize what I can’t do yet, then just as I start to feel I’m improving, new challenges come up... That’s the daily cycle I go through. But because I’ve kept doing that every day, even after turning pro from competing, I feel that compared to three years ago, I’ve gained more knowledge and refined my skills.” — What kind of year do you want the next one to be? Are there new challenges or ideas you want to pursue? “Right now, I’m mostly in a phase of absorbing knowledge. There are still many parts of my body movement and expression that I haven’t fully connected. Over the past three years, the definition of Ice Story has finally started to take shape. Because of that, I realize my answer to figure skating, and what I’ve been pursuing, lies on this path I’m currently on. Now that I feel it’s okay to hold an ideal form along this path, I want to double down on gaining knowledge and keep working hard to translate that knowledge into physical expression.” —End— Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuzurujenn Posted Saturday at 07:40 AM Author Share Posted Saturday at 07:40 AM *Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist* 2025.07.18 Source: https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202507170001496.html Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719073703/https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202507170001496.html Yuzuru Hanyu: Celebrating the 3rd Anniversary of Turning Pro — Interview “From Zero to One” Published in Nikkan Sports on the 19th Yuzuru Hanyu, the two-time consecutive Olympic champion in men’s figure skating, will mark the third anniversary of his professional debut tomorrow. On July 19, 2022, he officially announced his retirement from competitive skating and his commitment to a solitary new challenge. Over the past year, he successfully staged the third installment of the ice show series he both stars in and produces, "Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY," titled Echoes of Life. Spoiler Following a special solo interview on his 30th birthday last December 7, Nikkan Sports conducted another commemorative interview. The new feature, titled “From Zero to One,” will be published in the July 19 print edition and on the Nikkan Sports website. Additionally, Nikkan Sports Premium members will receive the full Q&A in a three-week consecutive release starting on the 19th. 2025.07.19 Source: https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202507180001304.html Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719073846/https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202507180001304.html [Yuzuru Hanyu] From a Fast-Paced Competitor to a New Chapter at 30. 3rd Anniversary Pro Interview, Part 1 Yuzuru Hanyu (30), the two-time Olympic champion in men’s figure skating, marked the third anniversary of his professional career on the 19th. On this day in 2022, he announced his retirement from competitive skating and his commitment to a solitary new challenge. Over the past year, he expanded his range of expression through unprecedented solo performances in the third installment of his ice show series, Echoes of Life, as well as a collaboration with singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu (34). Following his 30th birthday last December 7, Hanyu gave an exclusive interview to Nikkan Sports in Sendai, reflecting on the evolution of his professional athletic career over the past three years and the new frontier he has reached, moving “from zero to one.” Spoiler In his third year as a professional, Yuzuru Hanyu wrote the phrase “From zero to one” on a shikishi (autograph board). The man who became the first Asian to win back-to-back Olympic titles in figure skating has entered his thirties and continues to evolve against the grain of a typically short athlete’s career, yet he feels he has only just reached “one.” “It was a year of reexamining the basics. Not just jumps, but skating technique and body movement, I incorporated theory and realized, ‘I didn’t understand any of it before.’ There’s a huge difference between jumps you perform relying solely on physical ability, and jumps executed with theory in both mind and body combined with previous intuition. I can’t say I’ve fully mastered it yet, but I now have a clear path. It feels like I’ve moved from zero to one.” During his second year, when performing the solo show Re_Pray (Nov 2023 – Apr 2024), he focused heavily on strength training to carry the entire performance alone. Now, he is concentrating on how to use his body, emphasizing the “isolation” of different parts, moving just the shoulders, just the shoulder blades, or just the hip joints. He is applying the dance technique of “isolation” (independently moving neck, shoulders, waist, etc.) and sharpening his understanding of exercise science. In his third year, Hanyu accelerated his challenges by writing an original novel for the first time and starring as the protagonist Nova in the virtual world-themed Echoes of Life (Dec 2024 – Feb 2025, 7 performances across 3 cities), and by making his first joint appearance with Mansai Nomura in the iconic “SEIMEI” during Notte Stellata. His first solo show, Prologue (Nov–Dec 2022), lasted about 90 minutes, but the latest Echoes ran nearly twice as long at about 170 minutes. While most shows feature a dozen or more skaters sharing the spotlight, Hanyu performed alone, covering 19 pieces including short programs. The opening day of Echoes on December 7 last year was also his 30th birthday. “I was so happy to be alive!” he said, expressing gratitude. “I’ve been skating for 26 years since I started at age four. Figure skating careers are incredibly short, you know? In a way, it’s a sport where you live in a fast pace. While most people think about life spanning 80 or 90 years, I’ve always seen mine as compressed into just 27 years, the age of my last Olympics in Beijing in 2022. I was basically treating my skating career like a whole lifetime, from birth to death, which made everything feel even more intense.” He challenged the unprecedented quadruple Axel and etched the world’s first certified “4A” in the records. Even so, now that he can regard his peak competitive days as “zero” in the past, he reflects on them like this. “To be honest, a skater’s growth tends to plateau around age 23, and by the time you reach 27, you start to decline. Even the quadruple jumps you used to land become harder to do. That’s how I felt heading into the Beijing Olympics. But now, three years later, I’m realizing that I can still learn so much and continue to evolve. I really feel like my ‘second life’ has begun.” Additional Info: This exclusive full interview celebrating Hanyu’s 3rd year as a pro will be released in three parts starting July 19 on Nikkan Sports Premium. Members can also enjoy his December 7 and 14 interviews marking his 30th birthday. Yuzuru Hanyu (born Dec 7, 1994, Sendai) started skating at 4, turned senior at 15 in 2010, and became the first to land a quadruple loop in 2016. He has set 19 world record scores across short program, free skate, and combined total. Six-time Japanese national champion. After returning to Sendai from Toronto due to COVID, he has continued honing his skills locally. Graduated from Tohoku High School and enrolled in Waseda University’s Human Sciences program via distance learning. On July 19, 2022, he announced his transition to professional career. In February 2023, he became the first figure skater to hold a solo show at Tokyo Dome. Height: 172 cm, blood type: B. Source: https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202507180001306.html Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719074834/https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202507180001306.html [Yuzuru Hanyu] “Even those who aren’t fans said ‘It was cool’” — New possibilities with Kenshi Yonezu. 3rd Anniversary Pro Interview, Part 2 Spoiler The final performance of his latest tour, “Echoes of Life,” for which he also served as executive producer, took place on February 9 this year. On that very same date five years ago, he achieved the world’s first “Super Slam” in men’s figure skating—completely conquering the Junior World Championships, the Olympics, the World Championships, the Grand Prix Final, and the Four Continents Championships. On this anniversary, he demonstrated further progress on the ice. After skating alone for more than 30 minutes from the start of the show, he flawlessly performed the Olympic two-time champion short program (SP), Chopin’s “Ballade No. 1.” “The intense edge I felt in competition and the current tension of ‘not being allowed to make mistakes’ are different, and since there are no scores or rankings now, I can’t really compare them. But without a doubt, I’m confident that my senses have become sharper than back then, and I think there are more things I can do now.” One proof of that came as a surprise the following March. He appeared in the music video (MV) for Kenshi Yonezu’s new song, “Bow and Arrow.” Matching the roughly 2 minutes and 50 seconds of the short program, he landed a 4Lutz, a triple Axel, and a 4Salchow–3Toe loop combination. Of course, the program and conditions were different, but this was a “highest difficulty” lineup in Yuzuru Hanyu’s history, greatly surpassing the 111.82 points he scored five years earlier during his “Super Slam.” Social media also exploded with praise calling it “beyond human.” When asked if he plans to return to competition and aim for next February’s Milan-Cortina Olympics, he laughed and waved it off, saying, “Honestly, if someone told me to do that level of difficulty in competition, the pressure would be overwhelming.” Then he added, “More than that, being sought out by one of the world’s top artists saying ‘It has to be Hanyu,’ being able to deliver through the performance, and hearing from people who saw the music video say, ‘After all, it has to be Hanyu to perform this.’ That gave me a real sense of fulfillment.” He added, “Combining the skills I’ve developed as an athlete with entertainment to create something new was both exciting and shocking.” Throughout the process, he truly felt the experience of going “from zero to one.” “People have supported everything I did up until I was 27 in competition, but I think the strongest impression remains from the PyeongChang Olympics seven years ago (where he miraculously won back-to-back gold medals despite a serious injury). In a way, that’s where the image of Yuzuru Hanyu kind of froze. Some people even said ‘It’s been a while since I last saw him’ when they saw me in Kenshi Yonezu’s music video.” Despite being the youngest ever recipient of the People's Honor Award and having fame that transcends the sports world, he recognizes there is still room to grow. Not content with sold-out ice shows, he feels the potential to go beyond the figure skating world and expand his horizons as he enters his fourth year as a professional. “Even people who are not my fans at all, who aren't particularly interested, said ‘That was cool’ after watching the music video. It was a year that made me feel, ‘I need to be active in places where more and more people can see me.’” He thought he was "an old man" at age 30 due to the nature of the sport, but said "if you compare it to baseball or soccer, it's the time when your experience, intuition and skills are finally coming into their prime." He still hasn’t reached his limits. “Now that I’ve finally gone from 'zero to one,' I want to think hard how to increase it to two, three, and beyond. I still think I’m a ‘chick,’ and I wonder whether from here I’ll become a ‘chicken that can’t fly’ or a ‘swan.’ I want to cherish the process but also push forward toward the future, aiming to become that swan. I don’t want people to say later, ‘That guy couldn’t really fly,’ you know (laughs).” Source: https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202507180001307.html Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719080813/https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202507180001307.html [Yuzuru Hanyu] To Two Junior Skaters from Sendai — "I Hope It Becomes a Stage Where Your Efforts Are Rewarded" / Interview on 3rd Anniversary of Turning Pro Spoiler It has been three years and five months since the Beijing Olympics. Hanyu sent words of encouragement to his juniors aiming for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, especially those from his hometown. Following in the footsteps of Shizuka Arakawa, who won gold at the 2006 Turin Olympics, and himself as the first Asian man to win back-to-back Olympic titles, two Sendai-born skaters—men’s skater Shun Sato (21, Aim Services/Meiji University) and women’s skater Mone Chiba (20, Kinoshita Group)—are pursuing their dreams on the grand stage. “I’ve watched them working hard since they were little. What they have in common is that they didn’t just work hard during lessons watched by their coaches, they also put in a lot of effort practicing on their own. They are truly hardworking. Honestly, I didn’t practice as much as they did at that age… They practiced so much. I’m sure they won’t be betrayed [by their efforts]. Because I know how much effort they put in, I hope the stage becomes one where their efforts will be rewarded,” he expressed his expectations with the legendary quote in mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuzurujenn Posted Saturday at 09:22 AM Author Share Posted Saturday at 09:22 AM *Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist* 2025.07.19 Source: https://www.nikkansports.com/premium/sports/figure/news/202507170001243.html (paid article) CN translation: https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309405190087553188131 [Celebrating the 3rd Anniversary] Yuzuru Hanyu's full text (part 1) - On the opening day of Echoes: "I'm glad I was born!" - what it means Yuzuru Hanyu (30), the two-time men's figure skater who won the Winter Olympics, celebrated the third anniversary of his professional career on July 19th. On this day in 2022, he announced his retirement from competition and embarked on a solitary challenge. Over the past year, he successfully carried out the third installment of the ice show “Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY” series, titled “Echoes of Life,” in which he appeared solo and served as executive producer, as well as “notte stellata 2025” for the third consecutive year. Following his “30th birthday” on December 7 last year, Nikkan Sports Premium conducted a commemorative solo interview in Sendai City. He spoke about the new frontier he reached in his three years as a professional athlete, from “zero to one.” The full “Q&A” will be delivered over three consecutive weeks. (Honorifics omitted below) Spoiler “I was able to go from zero to one” — Congratulations on your third anniversary since turning professional. Thank you! — Following “GIFT at Tokyo Dome” and the “RE_PRAY TOUR,” you’ve taken on various challenges, including the “Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY series 3rd – Echoes of Life – TOUR” (from December 2024 to February 2025, in three cities with seven performances). Could you first look back on this past year? This past year, huh... — It’s been a long one. It began with the “Noto Peninsula Earthquake Reconstruction Support Charity Performance” (in September), and then “Yuzuru Hanyu notte stellata 2025,” in which you co-starred for the first time with kyogen actor Mansai Nomura (58), was held for the third consecutive year. So with this framing, it starts from Noto, huh. As I look back over the year, through all the thinking and effort I’ve put in, it was really a year of reevaluating the fundamentals. Of course that includes jumps, but also the theory behind skating, the theory behind how to use the body, and dance-related fundamentals too. I spent time reexamining all of those and came to realize things like, “I didn’t understand this at all,” or “I really didn’t know anything yet.” It felt like a year where I could say, “I went from zero to one.” — Even at your high level, it’s surprising to hear you talk about going from zero to one. There’s a real difference between “zero and one.” There’s a big gap between jumping just by moving your body however, based only on physical ability without knowing anything, and jumping when you have even a bit of theory in your head and body, along with your previous senses. It’s something completely different. I still can’t say I’ve fully “mastered” it, but over the past year I’ve come to understand the path and how everything I’ve done until now came together and took shape like this. It felt like a year where I was able to go from "zero" to “one.” "Isolation as a theory of movement" — In your previous interview on your “30th birthday,” you mentioned that you were able to add “thinking" to "skating.” Could you give a specific example to the theory, the way you use your body and such? It was from last year... or rather, I should say it was during the previous performance season? That is, around the time of RE_PRAY (from November 2023 to April 2024, 8 performances in 4 cities). At that time, my training was mainly focused on strength training. I put a lot of emphasis on it. Through that period, of course, I made some improvements in basic movements and how I use my body, and I felt that “I’ve really changed a lot.” But after that, what I began thinking about wasn’t just the strength training itself, but the theory behind how to use the body. In simple terms, how to isolate different body parts. Like moving only the shoulders, only the shoulder blades, only the hip joints, and so on. These things might sound very basic, but they’re what dancers do in their training, what’s called Isolation (isolation movement training, where parts like the head, shoulders, chest, waist, etc. are moved independently). But what I’ve been doing is a bit different from that. You could say it’s more like “Isolation as a theory of movement.” Right now, that’s how I’m trying to understand and put it into practice. — It really feels like you’re still continuing to study through your own body. Yeah. I think I said this last year too, but there are countless theories about movement out there, like stars in the sky. I think 99% of them are things I haven’t come into contact with yet. In the past, there was no internet, and information wasn’t so easy to access. Back then, if you wanted information, you had to physically go to a bookstore to find books. But now, just by connecting to the internet, even “casually browsing,” information comes flowing in. Precisely because of that, I think now is the time to be even more sensitive to incoming information, to actively reach out and try to touch that “99% I still don’t know.” — You once gave a surprising example, saying “I recently got inspiration from basketball.” Do you also learn from ball sports? At the time, I happened to be in a phase where I was referencing theories from experts in the field of basketball, and that period was still more focused on strength training. But even when I did strength training, I wasn’t doing it randomly. I was aware that “if I have this kind of theoretical foundation, strength training will be more effective.” Over the past year, I’ve come to physically understand something important: “I didn’t even fully grasp how to use my body properly.” I've come to realize that just building muscle alone might not mean much. So now, rather than focusing purely on strength training, I’m more focused on refining and exploring how to actually use my body. — I see. If you ever publish a book about this, please be sure to let us know. Sure (laughs). “I’m really glad I came into this world.” — On December 7 last year, you celebrated your 30th birthday. At the end of the premiere of Echoes, as you exited the stage, you shouted, “I’m really glad I was born into this world~!” And at the final performance on February 9 this year, your eyes welled up with tears as you confessed, “I’m feeling really emotional.” Due to time constraints at the time (it was a group interview), we didn’t get a chance to ask in detail about the emotions behind those moments. Could you reflect on what you were feeling then? There’s probably a kind of connection between those two feelings. The final performance was the last one I did as Nova. At the end of the show, there’s a scene where I walk up a set of stairs, and in that moment, I felt: “As Nova, my mission is complete.” The journey that the audience had been witnessing up until then was, for the time being, coming to an end. I think maybe I was feeling a bit of loneliness at that moment. As for when I shouted “I’m really glad I was born into this world~!” on my 30th birthday... hmm, what kind of feeling was that, really? (laughs) Well, for me, the thing in life that’s worth giving everything to is figure skating. I started at age 4, and I’ve now been skating for 26 years. And during those 26 years, so many people have supported me wholeheartedly, helped build the stage for me, brought my performances to life, and moved others through them. For an ordinary person like me, that’s really something miraculous, and I’m incredibly grateful. That’s why, in that moment, I genuinely felt: “I’m really glad I came into this world.” Even if my existence has helped just one person in some way, I would still honestly feel: “It’s really good to be alive.” — That kind of perspective is something most people probably don’t experience at 30. The competitive life of a figure skater is actually very short. It’s a sport where you have to “burn your life to the fullest within a limited time.” I started receiving attention fairly early on, and I had opportunities to be interviewed even back then. When I thought about competition, I often equated it as a complete life cycle, as something that mirrored the process of birth to death. I think, during my competitive years, I was always thinking about the concept of the “end.” — Because it keeps creeping closer and closer. Exactly. So in that sense, I compressed the kind of life perspective most people think of in terms of 80 or 90 years into my life up until age 27 (the 2022 Beijing Olympics, which was my final Olympics). I guess that’s why this journey feels so especially intense. “Yuzuru Hanyu: The Beginning of My Second Life” — At the group interview after the final performance of Echoes, you said the following: “The image I had of people in their thirties when I was a child is completely different from how I actually feel now, both physically and mentally. Right now, I genuinely feel that I’m ‘still far from reaching my limit.’ I used to think, ‘Isn’t thirty just when you become an old guy?’ But now, I’ve entered a completely different phase of my thirties. I used to believe that once a figure skater reached this age, their condition would inevitably decline. But if you look at baseball or soccer, this is the time when experience, perception, and technique really start to mature. I want to hold on to hope, firmly seize the opportunities that belong to me, and give my all to training.” It's really admirable that you're able to maintain a mindset of “this is where it begins.” That's right. Of course, I’m not saying “life ends here,” but from a general perspective, the development trajectory of figure skaters tends to plateau around age 23, and most start declining around age 27. I myself, when facing the Beijing Olympics, was definitely in that phase of “I can still land quads, but it’s gradually getting harder.” But it’s already been three years since then. And in those three years, I’ve genuinely felt that I’m still capable of learning and continuing to change. So in a certain sense, my feeling is: “My second life has begun.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuzurujenn Posted Saturday at 09:27 AM Author Share Posted Saturday at 09:27 AM *Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist* 2025.07.19 Source: https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/261162?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719092822/https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/261162?page=1 [Today Marks the 4th Year Since Turning Pro] Yuzuru Hanyu’s Relentless Desire for Expression — ‘I’ve Always Felt My Own Lack of Ability’ Yuzuru Hanyu marked his fourth year as a professional on July 19, 2025. During this time, he has appeared in numerous ice shows, delivering performances that far exceeded the audience’s imagination and expectations. We want to explore this “evolution as a performer.” Spoiler On July 19, 2022, Yuzuru Hanyu held a press conference where he announced that he would draw a line under his competitive career and continue as a professional figure skater. Since then, three years have passed. As a pro, he has performed numerous programs in various ice shows, both from his competitive days and new ones. What he has demonstrated through these performances is an ongoing evolution as an expressive artist. Even during his competitive career, his performances were praised for carefully capturing every sound of the music, picking up each note with precision. This served as the foundation for creating expressions that conveyed the world within the music. Since turning pro, this sensitivity has deepened further, and he now presents his performances as a seamless unity with the music, elevating them as true expressions. What was embedded in the new challenges As each program’s movements became more refined, various new attempts also emerged. For example, during the tour show titled “Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 2nd”—the RE_PRAY tour held from November 2023 to April 2024—one of the new programs performed was called “Chicken, Snake, and Pig.” In this program, red lights traced lines on the rectangular rink, creating a runway-like shape. Within this area, defined and restricted by the red lines, Hanyu displayed sharp, precise movements. Alongside this spatial creation, it represented a new form of expression in skating. Another new program, “Megalovania,” featured a unique moment before the music began. There was silence, during which he rhythmically made the ice sound with his edges. This, too, was both a novel production element and a form of expression. These reflected a desire for expression that went beyond just his movements. That same desire also appeared within his movements themselves. During the tour show titled “ICE STORY 3rd”, called “Echoes of Life” (December 2024 to February 2025), there was a segment lasting over ten minutes that connected the “Piano Collection” to the “Ballade No.1.” “In the section from the continuous classical piano pieces to the ‘Ballade No. 1,’ I did something I’ve never done before. I performed the entire program straight through without once exiting backstage,” Hanyu reflected. “I studied classical music together with the pianist Shinya Kiyozuka and worked very closely with Jeffrey Buttle, who choreographed the program, discussing in detail the kind of image I wanted to convey while skating.” In this program, called the “Piano Collection,” he skated continuously to five piano pieces, separated by short intervals of about 30 seconds each. Woven into the performance were numerous classical ballet movements. These weren’t mere imitations; rather, they were authentically adapted and performed on ice. Breaking out of the frame of “competition” Last summer, Hanyu spoke in an interview with AERA: “I’ve never really formally studied ballet or dance seriously while doing skating up until now. I’ve basically just copied and imitated the choreographer’s moves, and that’s how I’ve come this far. So I feel like I don’t have a solid foundation or a consistent technique, it’s mostly just imitation. Gradually, I try to learn by watching the movements of true professionals in those fields and think, ‘Maybe this is how it should be done,’ or ‘Maybe it should be done this way.’” (from AERA Special Edition: Yuzuru Hanyu Photo Collection Gi) Having stepped beyond the world constrained by “competition” and entered a new realm, he became much more aware of professionals working in various fields of expression. In doing so, he realized there were many expressive techniques he had yet to acquire, and he made an effort to incorporate them. That too became a factor driving the evolution of his expression. At the core lies the following words: “Because I keep digging deeper and deeper, my ideals only become higher, and the specifics of what I want to express become clearer and clearer. The more my ideals take shape, the more I notice subtle ways my body fails to keep up, or small sloppy details. For example, it might be the angle of my hand off by about five centimeters, or the direction of my body, the position of my face, my gaze, or even the way I breathe. Maybe people watching wouldn’t really notice those things, but I’ve always felt that those tiny, little details haven’t been properly built up. It’s a reflection of my lack of skill.” (ibid.) From the start, his desire for personal growth has been immeasurably strong. That driving force has continued even as he discovered new worlds after turning pro. This is evident in the evolution we’ve seen over the past three years. His fourth year as a professional begins now. But regardless of such milestones, he will surely keep pursuing his ideals as an artist going forward. Source: https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/261165?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719092549/https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/261165?page=1 [Today Marks the 4th Year Since Turning Pro] Yuzuru Hanyu’s Ongoing Message: “Don’t Forget” — His Attitude and Actions of Thinking of Others and Showing Empathy Even after retiring from competition, Yuzuru Hanyu continues to take on challenges unique to athletes, steadily advancing toward new, uncharted heights. At the core of his journey lies a constant, unwavering concern for disaster victims and affected regions. Now, as he enters the fourth year of his professional career, it is a fitting time to reflect once again on the meaning and emotion he has poured into his ice show notte stellata. Spoiler Yuzuru Hanyu, born and raised in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, still carries with him an experience that will never fade. On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck while Hanyu was training at Ice Rink Sendai. He endured evacuation life and faced the hardship of losing his training base, yet he overcame those trials to achieve glory. Along the way, his identity as a figure skater who had been affected by the disaster drew attention both in Japan and around the world. It wouldn’t be true to say he felt no inner conflict about that. But Hanyu accepted it and rather than turning away, he has consistently spoken words of support and solidarity for disaster victims and affected areas whenever the opportunity arose. Now, as a professional figure skater, he has been able to engage in activities that weren’t possible before, one of the most symbolic being the ice show notte stellata. Because It’s March 11 The ice show notte stellata was born from a deeply personal place. It carries the mission of “sending hope from the disaster-affected areas.” Its inaugural performance took place from March 10 to 12, 2023, at Sekisui Heim Super Arena in Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture. This timing, right around March 11, would have been nearly impossible during Hanyu’s competitive career due to the strict competition schedule. Being a professional skater gave him the freedom to choose this meaningful moment. Ahead of the show, Hanyu spoke about his intentions: “Until now, March 11 was a day when all I could really do was release a statement. Even though I wanted to deliver a performance, it was hard to find opportunities to do that, especially to create a moment where I could share something directly with everyone.” “Now, I finally feel I’m able to perform on such an important day. There are feelings that can only be conveyed because it’s March 11, and feelings that the audience may only feel because it’s that day. I believe how it’s received will be different, too. I want to approach each performance with the utmost care and respect.” In this special show featuring skaters from Japan and abroad, along with guest performers, Hanyu conveyed his heartfelt emotions for the affected regions and people not just through skating, but also by speaking openly and sincerely into the microphone. His words and performance were a tribute, an act of remembrance, and a beacon of hope. It wasn’t just the audience in the arena who received Hanyu’s message. The performance was also livestreamed and broadcast via live viewing not only across Japan, but internationally as well. And that wide reach held deep significance. More than a decade had passed since the 2011 disaster, and it’s undeniable that public memory had begun to fade. By holding this performance and ensuring that it reached so many people, notte stellata served as a powerful reminder for people to once again reflect on the reality of the earthquake and tsunami, and to remember. In doing so, the show helped ensure that the victims and affected regions would not be forgotten. It was an act of remembrance, of solidarity, of standing with those still carrying the weight of that day. And that, precisely, is where the true meaning of Hanyu’s performance, and the messages he continues to share, can be found. “You are alive here in this place.” Since its debut in 2023, notte stellata has been held every year, and each time, Yuzuru Hanyu has continued to express his heartfelt thoughts and emotions. In 2023, he collaborated with gymnast Kohei Uchimura. In 2024, with legendary actress Mao Daichi. And in 2025, with renowned actor and director Mansai Nomura. Through each performance, Hanyu has crafted a unique and evocative space that could only be realized through this show, pouring his creativity and dedication into every detail. Each year, notte stellata has become more than just an ice show. It’s a living, evolving tribute that honors memory, resilience, and hope. At this year’s performance, Hanyu addressed the audience with the following heartfelt message: “Seeing everyone who come to watch standing and applauding like that, cheering us on, I truly feel that “you are alive here in this place,” and it is precisely because this is notte stellata that I can feel that anew. Just as we were able to rise up after the earthquake, I hope this sense of connection and bond will continue to grow and spread even more. That’s how I feel.” “There are still people who are suffering. Please don’t forget. And if this performance could serve, even just a little, as a catalyst for your support, I would be truly, truly grateful. It’s not just 3.11. There’s also the Noto Peninsula, and many areas affected by heavy snowfall and other disasters. If you can offer even a small bit of help, I would be so, so thankful. Thank you very much for being here today.” This message encapsulated not only his ongoing dedication to the memory of 3.11, but also his broader compassion and call to action for those currently facing hardship. That's right, in 2024, Hanyu also held a charity skating event to support the reconstruction of the Noto Peninsula, showing that his compassion extends beyond the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake to other disaster-affected regions as well. As a professional figure skater, he has continuously taken on various challenges. He was the first ever to hold a solo ice show with only himself performing, broke new ground by staging a show at the Tokyo Dome for the first time, and created rich stories on ice with diverse, innovative productions. Alongside these athlete-driven challenges, his heartfelt concern for others and acts of solidarity have been another unforgettable aspect of Hanyu’s journey over these past three years. Source: https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/260881?page=1 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719093250/https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/260881?page=1 [Today Marks the 4th Year Since Turning Pro] Yuzuru Hanyu is ‘living his life as the main character’ — The true face of the artist witnessed by a photographer. On July 19, 2022, Yuzuru Hanyu held a press conference where he announced he would be putting an end to his competitive career and moving forward as a professional figure skater. Exactly three years have passed since that day. How has “the artist Yuzuru Hanyu” changed and evolved? We spoke with photographer Toru Yaguchi, who has been photographing Hanyu for many years. Spoiler — It’s been three years since Hanyu turned professional. Mr. Yaguchi, you have been photographing Hanyu in various situations before and after he turned pro in competitions, ice shows, and studio sessions. Looking back over that time, have you noticed any changes in how Hanyu approaches figure skating? From a physical perspective, competitions have one key evaluation criterion: scores given by judges. I think Hanyu himself had a strong awareness of “clearing each element in the program one by one while completing the entire performance.” More specifically, during competitions, it seemed like he devoted a lot of energy, passion, and focus to jumps, which carry a significant weight in scoring. Since turning professional, I feel that focus has shifted somewhat. One change is his level of satisfaction with what he wants to show. Along with that, he seems to care a lot about how the audience perceives his skating and how he can express himself in a way that reaches as many people as possible. This includes jumps, skating techniques, the beauty of spins, and more fundamentally, even the posture, presence, and every single movement. He places great importance on the beauty of all those aspects. — As you’ve observed these changes, has your perspective or mindset as a photographer shifted? From the photographer’s side, how should I put it... Before, there was a kind of suffocating feeling when shooting. Because it was a competition, the whole venue was wrapped in tension, and I remember feeling like the roughly 3-minute short program and the roughly 4-minute free skate each felt very long. — When you say the 3 and 4 minutes felt long, was that due to pressure? Of course, there was pressure around the act of photographing as well, but that hasn’t changed much even now. When I shoot as a photographer, I can’t help but feel like cheering for my subjects. In competitions, that feeling turns into “I really hope it goes well” and “I want to see a perfect skate during those 3 minutes.” Maybe that’s why the time felt long in that sense. Now, because I enjoy watching the performances myself, I feel like I can pay closer attention to each and every movement. I felt kindness in “Danny Boy” — Was there a program that left a strong impression on you? I once told this to Hanyu himself, but I was deeply moved by his performance of “Danny Boy” at the 2024 Fantasy on Ice. I don’t quite know how to express it, but it was incredibly beautiful, and above all, I felt like I wanted to keep watching it forever. I don’t think I felt this kind of emotion much when photographing competitions. — When you shared your thoughts with Hanyu, how did he react? What I thought after hearing Hanyu’s response was that he is very conscious about “delivering” his expression. I believe that expression starts with oneself as the foundation, and is then shaped by working backward, deciding who you want to reach and how you want to convey it. The beauty and softness of his movements came through because he wanted to deliver kindness and hope to many people. That’s probably why I felt such comfort and wanted to keep watching. The “Danny Boy” I saw at that time seemed to be not only about Hanyu’s own desire to express himself, but also more directed toward reaching a wider audience. The kindness I felt in each movement came from Hanyu’s own feelings being conveyed through his performance. — The 2024 “Fantasy on Ice” was a little while after he turned professional. During that time, Hanyu has held solo ice shows like “Prologue” (2022), “GIFT” (2023), and “RE_PRAY” (2023–24). Have you noticed any changes during these? I think “Prologue,” including its show structure, followed the sensibilities from his competitive days. It traced the path Hanyu had walked so far. I’ve only seen GIFT through the Disney+ streaming, but I also feel it was something dedicated to the fans who have supported him since his competitive days. In that sense, "Haru yo, Koi" was a program I wanted to keep watching just like "Danny Boy." — “Haru yo, Koi” (“Spring, Come”) was also an impressive exhibition program at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Speaking personally, I think that during Beijing, while there were elements of kindness and healing for others, there was also a strong focus directed inward toward Hanyu himself. Specifically, this related to his life as Yuzuru Hanyu, the frustration he felt in Beijing, and his own challenge in facing that. That version of "Haru yo, Koi" was very beautiful and gentle, but at the same time, there were moments where I sensed a kind of struggle or pain. — Even after turning professional, Hanyu has performed “Haru yo, Koi” in various settings. Most recently, I saw it at “The First Skate” (July 5, Xebio Arena Sendai), and I strongly felt that softness again. While “Haru yo, Koi” includes intense expressions and movements, I think it also carries smoothness and a gentle softness within it. “Untainted, Overwhelming Sense of Purity” — From your extensive experience photographing Hanyu, what would you say are his most striking qualities or depth? It’s difficult to put into words, but I think his sense of purity is overwhelming. You could say there’s no impurity at all. When he steps onto the ice, the rink feels like a very sacred place. If I were to describe that preciousness, I’d call it purity. — Where do you think that sense of purity comes from? When I watch Hanyu, I get the impression that he disciplines himself even in his everyday life and practice, imposing various restrictions on himself and maintaining a very disciplined lifestyle. Even when no one is watching, he trains diligently on his own. Because he’s always thinking about what is necessary for the people who come to watch his shows and those he wants to reach, he is able to accomplish this. I believe that this careful daily accumulation shows in his physique, demeanor, and appearance, and from Hanyu, I overwhelmingly feel that greatness. That’s why his performances are beautiful and carry a special atmosphere that only high-quality things possess. This doesn’t change whether it’s at a polished ice show venue or anywhere else. I felt this even more strongly at the Noto Peninsula Reconstruction Support Charity Event in September last year. — You closely covered the Noto Peninsula charity performance as the official photographer, including the practice sessions, right? Looking back, that performance was different from usual in many ways. The lighting was simply the rink’s existing lights, and it was the first time they performed with a young Japanese drum team from Wajima. Despite the limited preparation time, it was clear that each participant, including Hanyu, was giving their all. I watched as the four skaters who gathered worked together, discussing and creating the opening collaboration with the taiko drums and the finale, “Que Sera Sera.” I remember during the rehearsal the day before the performance, as evening approached and everyone finished practicing and left, Hanyu stayed behind practicing alone. — He kept practicing right up until the last minute, didn’t he? It seemed difficult for him to match his skating to the rhythm of the taiko drums, so he stayed behind and kept practicing. Honestly, it was a kind of discrepancy that we couldn’t really perceive. From my perspective, it looked “amazing,” but there were very subtle details that only he himself could notice. Because this performance used an ice rink within Ishikawa Prefecture, attendance was limited to local elementary school students from Ishikawa, Toyama, and Fukui prefectures. So, most people watched the performance through streaming. I believe that Hanyu himself understood better than anyone how difficult it is to convey something through performance, which is why he kept practicing right up to the very last moment. “Conveying” something comes with a great cost. It’s precisely because he never neglects that effort that Hanyu’s performances are filled with nobility, dignity, and a sense of purity that deeply touches many people’s hearts. What emerged from an expression that goes beyond just the 'raw material' — Mr. Yaguchi, you’ve photographed Hanyu not only on the ice but also in the studio. Since turning professional, it seems like his range and depth of expression have expanded. From your perspective as a photographer, how does that appear? Personally, I feel he has shown softer and more gentle expressions. The first time I photographed him in the studio was December 2023. We had about 20 minutes for a portrait session for the photo book Yuzuru Hanyu published by Hochi Shimbun. I really like the photos from that session. Hanyu’s expressions were sharp and strong. I felt that his feelings and his humanity really came through. — What kind of mindset did you have going into the shoot? Before the shoot, Hanyu asked me, “What kind of photos do you want?” I think I replied, “Please show me the Hanyu who’s not just a raw material.” — What do you mean by “not just raw material”? At the time, in an interview or something, Hanyu referred to himself as “raw material.” So I told him I wanted to photograph the Hanyu who is more than just that. — So the expression “not just raw material” led to the shots included in the photo book, right? Hanyu asked me, “So should I just show my true self?” and then those expressions came out. When I photograph Hanyu, it feels like I’m facing a little tiger. People at the studio have also said to me, “The shoots with you and Hanyu are like a martial arts match.” Hanyu moves freely and kind of challenges me with a “You can capture this, right?” vibe, so it really did feel like a kind of battle. But now, it’s a little different. I photographed him again in April this year, and I saw him chatting with the stylist and smiling naturally. There were more moments when I felt that he was enjoying the photoshoot. — So Hanyu himself is getting the hang of studio shoots? I think he’s becoming more aware that we’re colleagues working together. He interacts with a variety of creators not only during photo shoots but also through ice shows and other projects, so perhaps that’s where this change has come from. However, I also think that this awareness and interest is something that Hanyu himself has always had, I just hadn’t seen that side of him before. “He Feels Like The Protagonist” — Looking back, what kind of subject is Yuzuru Hanyu to you as a photographer? I feel that he is “a person living his life as the protagonist” This also ties back to that sense of purity I mentioned earlier. When you think of yourself as the protagonist, you act and speak like one. Of course, not everyone has to do that, but I believe it’s precisely because of his daily behavior that the unique aura and expression Hanyu carries are formed. Even on set, the atmosphere completely changes when he walks in, and every time I witness the contrast when he changes into costume, I think, “He really feels like the protagonist.” I also believe that he embraces this role and consciously behaves that way in front of the camera. — Has your relationship changed as you’ve worked together more? I personally always try not to be overly formal or cautious. I constantly feel his greatness and deeply respect him, but I want to keep things as natural and neutral as possible. In April this year, I photographed him outdoors, and it felt different from before. His expression was more natural, and there's a sense that the tension in his shoulders had eased. I'm still not sure whether this change is due to him personally evolving or something that came from the relationship between us as photographer and subject. I haven’t asked him directly how he feels about my photography, but lately, he’s started making suggestions during shoots, and I feel he is sincerely engaging with the process. Because of that, I feel even more responsibility to not take him for granted and to prepare more thoroughly. Toru Yaguchi Born in Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture. As a photographer for Hochi Shimbun, he covered events such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the 2012 London Olympics, and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. He has been responsible for professional baseball and figure skating coverage since the 2019–20 season. In February 2023, he left Hochi Shimbun and became an independent freelance photographer. He has worked on projects including the photo book Seiji Kobayashi of the Giants and the photo collections Yuzuru Hanyu 2019-2020 and Yuzuru Hanyu 2021-2022. Instagram: toru.yaguchi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuzurujenn Posted Sunday at 06:47 AM Author Share Posted Sunday at 06:47 AM *Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist* 2025.07.19 Source: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/352583 Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250719092008/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/352583 Yuzuru Hanyu's "love for ramen" developing? Possibility of a new collaboration with Kourakuen on "negi ramen" Yuzuru Hanyu (30), who achieved back-to-back Olympic victories in men's figure skating, marked the third anniversary of his transition to professional skating on the 19th, and continues to demonstrate his influence across a wide range of fields. Since turning professional, he has continued to express his unique worldview on the ice by holding solo ice shows. Even now, he continues to draw significant attention, and most recently, his love for ramen has become a hot topic. Spoiler In April, during a members-only segment on his official YouTube channel, he mentioned the “Negi Ramen” (630 yen) from Kourakuen, a ramen chain headquartered in Fukushima Prefecture. The mention prompted a flood of comments from fans both in Japan and overseas on social media. A representative from the company, who agreed to an interview, expressed surprise, saying, “We didn’t directly hear Hanyu’s comment ourselves, but many fans posted about it on social media.” They revealed that when the company’s Senior Managing Director posted about the “Negi Ramen” on their account on X (formerly Twitter), “In terms of pure impressions (responses), it was about 4 to 5 times higher than usual,” adding with wide eyes, “It was far beyond our expectations. We didn’t think we’d receive this kind of response.” Furthermore, during an event held by a company for which Hanyu serves as brand ambassador, a Kourakuen branch located within the event venue grounds saw a large number of fans visit. Over the course of two days, around 900 bowls of “Negi Ramen” were sold, reportedly using approximately 70 kilograms of shredded green onions. The same representative reflected, “Since there was a surge in social media posts, we prepared our operations so that we could accommodate fans if they came. We’re genuinely happy that Hanyu-san likes our product, and as a company, we’re really impressed by his influence.” Although no events are currently being planned, the representative added with a positive outlook, “If the opportunity arises, we’d love to consider something.” As Hanyu enters his fourth year as a professional, there’s a real possibility that a new collaboration could come to life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yuzurujenn Posted 18 hours ago Author Share Posted 18 hours ago *Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist* 2025.07.22 Source: https://www2.myjcom.jp/special/tv/thema/figureskate/column/detail/20250722.shtml Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250722082819/https://www2.myjcom.jp/special/tv/thema/figureskate/column/detail/20250722.shtml Yuzuru Hanyu, 3rd year as a pro: "talkative" on the ice and "silence" behind closed doors On July 19th, Yuzuru Hanyu celebrated the third anniversary of turning professional. Three years is a good guideline for anything you do. The experience he gained over the past three years should lead to a leap forward in the next three years. Spoiler Creative works There is a Japanese proverb that says, “Three years on a rock.” It means that once you’ve started something, even if it’s painful or difficult, if you persevere for three years, your efforts will eventually be rewarded. That’s the general idea, but apparently, the origin of this saying lies in India. In ancient India, there was a man named the Venerable Barishiba. It is said that he became a monk at the age of 80 and practiced seated meditation on a rock for three full years. It is hard to believe that he neither slept nor lay down during that time, but the idea that one could attain enlightenment after rigorous training is the basis of the worship of great monks, as is evident from the narrative of Bodhidharma's "nine years of facing the wall." Three years can feel long, or short, depending on how you look at it. It’s a curiously delicate measure of time. Over the past three years since turning professional, Yuzuru Hanyu has gone through a continuous process of trial and error. Focusing solely on his solo performances, he has released a series of creative works to the world, including Prologue, ICE STORY 2023 “GIFT” at Tokyo Dome, ICE STORY 2nd “RE_PRAY” TOUR, and ICE STORY 3rd Echoes of Life TOUR. The most recent among them, unveiled in March this year, was a program titled “BOW AND ARROW”, which drew significant attention. The high-tempo piece “BOW AND ARROW,” created by Kenshi Yonezu, was composed with the duration of a figure skating short program (SP) in mind. In this program, Hanyu successfully landed a quadruple Lutz, a triple Axel, and a quad Salchow-triple toe loop combination. The Lutz is the second most difficult jump after the Axel, and he executed it in quadruple form. A Man of His Word at 30 In a typical short program (SP), the first jump is usually performed about 20 to 30 seconds after the music begins. Attempting difficult jumps later, when physical stamina is starting to fade, is generally not considered wise. However, Hanyu performed his first jump (a quadruple Lutz) 50 seconds into the program. Twenty seconds after that, he executed a triple Axel from a counter entry, with virtually no setup, and seamlessly transitioned into a high-speed twizzle using his right landing foot as the pivot. You might think that if he had done the first jump a little earlier, he could have conserved some stamina and flowed more smoothly into the second and third jumps. But Hanyu never chooses the easy route. That’s exactly where the true essence of Yuzuru Hanyu, the athlete, shines through. In December last year, Hanyu turned 30. It's a milestone age for any athlete, and naturally, the press asked him: “What are your goals for your 30s?” This was Hanyu’s response: “I vaguely imagined that I would start to decline as I got older. But when I thought about it in terms of baseball or soccer, I realized that your 30s are actually the time when your experience, intuition, and technique all come together and you’re just starting to hit your prime. I want to approach both training and performance with hope for my own future, and always with the feeling that 'I will definitely grab this chance!'" A man of his word. There’s no need to even say that Hanyu’s performances in his 30s are supported by rigorous training. In a sense, the degree of talkativeness (performance) is proportional to the quantity and quality of silence (training). I can’t help but imagine that the scene of solitary training (silence), in which one confronts oneself, is as colorless as “Nine Years Facing the Wall.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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