Nogizaka 46 (Japanese Idol Group)
In August 2011, 33 members chosen from 38,934 girls all over Japan performed "Oide Shampoo" and "Hashire! Bicycle", which has been number 1 for the Oricon Weekly Chart. I asked Reika Sakurai about what she was putting effort in for Nogizaka46, and for her self. She answered, “As a music artist group, our goal is to encourage and entertain people through music and dance, so we need to brush up our singing and dancing skills in order to send our passion to everyone. In addition, it is very important for us to communicate with a variety of people because we have a lot of chances to appear on variety shows, like talk shows, quiz shows, etc.”
Interview
We have interviewed a young idol artist group, whose staff show respect to the Japanese identity, Nogizaka46. The 33 members of Nogizaka46 have been chosen from 38,934 girls all over Japan. This time, we have interviewed the 16 members who will be singing their new song, Hashire Bicycle (released on Aug 22, 2012) (also known as senbatsu members). The name Nogizaka comes from their last audition place, SME;Sony Music Entertainment Nogizaka Building.
Preparation
We interviewed Reika Sakurai, the captain of Nogizaka 46.
"Here is a question for you. When you record the Nogizaka Romance, what kind of preparation do you take, and how do you feel about it?"
She answered, "There are some members who have read the Japanese literature from before, and some members who haven’t. We all start by reading through the book, once receiving it from the staff. After interpreting the novel ourselves, we talk about it with the staff, checking over where which section we are going to read. "
I am ensured that each of the members read through and worked hard to interpret the story, and its history, by facing the Japanese literature. At the same time, we can feel the beauty of Japanese tradition from not only their faces and clothing but also from their facial expressions and behavior. I highly recommend watching and learning from “Nogizaka Romance” when you study Japanese Culture. (I will translate these videos if I get permission.)
“Hashire! Bicycle”
The new 3rd Single, “Hashire! Bicycle” is performed by the selected 16 of 33 members (the senbatsu members). The 1stSingle “Guru Guru Curtain” and the 2nd Single “Oide Shampoo” are also sung by their selected 16 members. The main 7 of these 16 members are called “Sichi Fuku Jin”. They appear a lot on various media. This select screen is done by the Nogizaka steering committee. Each of the members makes a big effort because the committee selects objectively.
"For the group, Nogizaka46, or for yourself, what type of skills and knowledge are you putting effort in to gain?"
“As a music artist group, our goal is to encourage and entertain people through music and dance, so we need to brush up our singing and dancing skills in order to send our passion to everyone. In addition, it is very important for us to communicate with a variety of people because we have a lot of chances to appear on variety shows, like talk shows, quiz shows, etc.”
Leader: Reika Sakurai
We could tell Reika Sakurai is the most suitable for being the captain of Nogizaka46. I have extracted some passages this from her blog.
“The ideal leader should be thoughtful and have less anxiety to the members in the field. However, I thought I was not able to do this yet at that time.
I was struggling to find out what I need to do for myself.
I could not help any members. On the contrary, the other members helped me.
All of the Nogizaka46 members were very nice and they encouraged me, saying, “It’s okay, it’s okay,” until the take. They should have felt very worried.
I felt reassured but wrecked at the same time. I thought I was not capable of being the leader.
With shame, I couldn’t face the members.”
The future of Nogizaka46
With her words, I am ensured that she has the potential of being a leader.
The end of her blog, she wrote, “Nogizaka46 will be challenging a higher status. I, Reika Sakurai, will study very hard at a large range of studies so I could be told that I am a responsible leader.” She is blooming with her hard working.
So at the interview, we asked her, “What do you think of yourself is the future of Nogizaka46?” She answered,
“We are officially established as the rival of AKB48, a famous group representing Japan. So, our goal is to be a famous idle group like them, and to perform individually as a unique group of Nogizaka46."
Cheering for Nogizaka46
We felt that Nogizaka46 already has a concept of representing Japan.
We will be cheering for Nogizaka46, so please stay as unique characters!
This interview was held at SME Nogizaka building in Nogizaka, Tokyo. While we were looking for the interview room after the reception, Kazumi Takayama, a member of the 16, came out of her preparation room. She kindly asked us, “May I help you?” and she helped us look for the room. As we saw her later on at the interview, she said, “I was able to meet you again!” We felt pleased that Nogizaka46 members are so friendly and warm hearted; they treat everybody kindly with care.
Nogizaka Romance is a short television show from Monday to Thursday (nights). There, one member reads the scenes of traditional Japanese literature novels and models with the beautiful Japanese scenery.
"When you record the Nogizaka Romance, what kind of preparation do you take, and how do you feel about it?"
Sakurai Reika, the Captain, answered, "There are some members who have read the Japanese literature from before, and some members who haven’t. We all start by reading through the book, once receiving it from the staff. After interpreting the novel ourselves, we talk about it with the staff, checking over where which section we are going to read."
I am ensured that each of the members read through and worked hard to interpret the story, and its history, by facing the Japanese literature. At the same time, we can feel the beauty of Japanese tradition from not only their faces and clothing but also from their facial expressions and behavior. I highly recommend watching and learning from “Nogizaka Romance” when you study Japanese Culture.
(Reported by Madoka Nishina)
Participants
Madoka Nishina 9th Saint Maur International School
Karen Nishina 3th Saint Maur International School