[Translation] Sho's long interview Cut April 2012, part 4-end
The war Shouhei felt, what kind of war do you think it is?
About the war he felt, “for my country”, “for Japan”, he will sacrifice even his life for his country to win the war, he had that strong motivation. I think it’s the same in every war. But then he will reach a conclusion that no matter if we win or lose, war is wrong.
Before, when you and Natsugawa Sousuke (T/N: Kamisama no Karute’s writer) had a discussion for ‘Cut’, you said that “My current principle is, I wish to bear the feelings of as many people as I could”. Has it changed?
Well, if we see it in such context, maybe now I’m shifting bit by bit from ‘bearing’ to ‘facing’. We’ve gone through times when we shared the sadness, and now I’m sort of...more composed. What I can do, what I should do, in my current position I find myself in, maybe I’m thinking about it a little bit calmer. “Karute” was only less than half a year since the disaster, that’s why [I had such principle].
‘Facing people’s feelings’, with that principle, what kind of experience you gained from taking part in this drama?
Hmm, but this time also, actually it’s the same with “Karute”. I think, carelessly stating that the Great East Japan Earthquake as my -the one who send the message- motivation, is very arrogant. If people who receive the message could sympathize or are moved by it, I will feel very happy, but I don’t think I can be overconfident that I have such power.
But I believe the March 11 disaster was also an event that changed our values. Sakurai san also said before, “The mundane became unusual”. I think in some parts, it has some connection with “Blackboard”, about how we rebuild from where the values have changed. Do you insert such views as well?
This will be under the assumption that the people in disaster area are touched by this drama, but what I believe is very meaningful, or I should say…significant from this work is that, regarding the first episode in which I’m appearing, we are communicating the theme through the media which is television. I believe it is significant.
We convey it through the broadcast television whose audience is the general public. It’s like opening a Pandora box that people tend not to open.
I think by broadcasting this drama on television, whose audience is the public, it will expand the layers of people who would feel it. In that sense, how should I put this….if we say it in an exaggerating manner, I think it’s some sort of a challenge to the media. But well, I’m not in the position to say that.
When you are taking part in a work with such strong message, doesn’t it make you think about various things such as life, future or era?
Yes it does. In the last scene, Shouhei tells a message to his students. What would I do if it was me? I tried to think of the answer, but I couldn’t come up with any. There are days when I think “Can I say that?” and there are days when I think “Maybe I would say this and this…” and there are days when I think “I will definitely say this…”
That’s why it’s very difficult to describe it as “A drama with such and such message.
In 2009, you said “I want to leave something behind for the children of the future”, is there any connection with that also?
Hmm, yes, I think there is. To me, this drama is quite self-contained. In other words, I am allowed to take part in my dream work, so I don’t want to regret. That is the first thing comes to my mind. Right now, I have no room to think about to whom we will deliver [the drama]. Although maybe I will be able to do that once I see the completed work, but now, I can hardly think about what lies beyond the camera.
That is unexpected. Just like when you sit on the newscaster seat, I thought you strongly think that you want to convey something, you want to be the medium.
Hmm, yes, of course I also feel that way. When I was offered this drama, and also maybe after we’re finished shooting, but today, right now when we’re filming, for the period of around one month, the sense of fulfillment I feel every day surpasses that. Maybe it is not proper to say it’s enjoyable, but I feel fulfilled every day.
You mean like a sense of accomplishment?
Yes. We create, and I can feel in reality that it is accumulated….it’s like “we’re filming!”
Now, that is really…irresistible! (laugh)
(laugh) So you did not tell anyone you wanted to do this drama, but rather it happened to be offered to you?
Yes, because I can’t say that [I want to do this kind of drama] (laugh)
You also did not tell anyone you wished to be a newscaster, but you were offered, and “Blackboard” as well, you are so fortunate.
Yes, yes, I’m fortunate don’t you think? I’m lucky you know (laugh)
Hahahaha
I really think so
Moreover, it’s the first work after you reached the age you always wanted to be.
That’s right. This will be repetitive, but the main theme is education, and the war itself is not the center topic. But to me, putting myself in that era through the character I play is a very important thing…how should I put this…..well it’s not the Kokuritsu Stadium concert, but it was [also] beyond my dream.
When you actually put yourself in the place beyond your dream, what did you feel the most?
……hmm….maybe the feeling whether I could live as strong as them. Not only Shouhei, but each and every member of his family, also Akira who worked at the ironworks. It applies to all of the people who lived in that era.
What kind of work you want this drama to be?
Maybe it deviates from what you intend to ask, but 5 years later, 10 years later, when I watch the DVD [of this drama], I’m hoping it will be a work that I can laugh at while saying “I worked hard at the time. Uhyahaha”. Currently I’m still filming so I’m in the middle of accumulating process so that it can be that kind of work.
Do you think it will be a work that you’ll have a special attachment to?
Yes I do. Right after I finished filming “Nazotoki”, I started “Blackboard”. Nazotoki finished on Saturday, and Blackboard began on Monday. On Sunday, I went to greet my grandfather’s elder brother. He died in the war, and nobody has seen him, but his picture was at my grandfather and grandmother’s house since I was a child. I went to greet him on Sunday, it also means to switch [from Nazotoki to Blackboard]. I’ve never done that before.
Did you say anything [to your grandfather’s brother]?
This will be the opposite of what I said just now, but I said “I will try my very best so that it will touch as many people’s heart as possible. So please watch over me.” I went there to deliver that feeling……that’s why I’m thinking to go and greet him again after we’ve done filming safely.
----fin----
Translator’s note and opinion:
Sorry it’s shorter than I’d planned, I came home so late, worked on this and it’s almost 3 am now. It’s weekend tomorrow but I have some plans from early in the morning. I decided to post the continuation even it’s only around 570 words now while people are still talking about Blackboard.
It's done.
Have you watched it by the way? If you haven’t, I really really recommend it. Sho’s acting was at its best, in fact, he did not act, he completely became Shirahama Shouhei. I think the story line itself was not that exceptional, but really, Sho made it amazing.
Some parts of the interview here are probably the deepest and the most insightful, and what I found interesting is the part where the interviewer wanted Sho to connect this drama with the disaster, but Sho seemed to be too humbled to say that he can send the message to live, rebuild, etc to the victims. At first I thought Sho didn’t understand the interviewer’s intention, but on the contrary, he understood very well, but like he said in the interview, he thinks it’s “arrogant” to say the disaster is his motivation. I think maybe it's because he himself was not affected directly by the disaster, so saying those things to people who actually suffered would be too arrogant. He avoided saying that at least twice (or maybe it’s just me thinking?)
Also, it’s interesting how he sees conveying the issue about Japan losing the war, and the change of values from militarism to democracy is like opening a Pandora box. It is in fact, a taboo topic most people would avoid, and what’s more, most of young people in Japan don’t even care. But Sho does.
And one more, it seems Sho really feels a kind of self-satisfaction here, and I think it is shown clearly in the drama. He was satisfied enough only to be able to lived in that era through the character, we could see that he really lived there. The consistency between what he said and what he did is amazing, imo.
Thank you so much for reading through to the end, I know not many people read in-depth interviews such these, and this one, in particular, is so serious. It's very interesting for those who are interested in the different sides of the boys, but maybe it's not a popular reading material? xD. So I really really appreciate those who read and double appreciate those who left some comments, thank you so much.....
-end
About the war he felt, “for my country”, “for Japan”, he will sacrifice even his life for his country to win the war, he had that strong motivation. I think it’s the same in every war. But then he will reach a conclusion that no matter if we win or lose, war is wrong.
Before, when you and Natsugawa Sousuke (T/N: Kamisama no Karute’s writer) had a discussion for ‘Cut’, you said that “My current principle is, I wish to bear the feelings of as many people as I could”. Has it changed?
Well, if we see it in such context, maybe now I’m shifting bit by bit from ‘bearing’ to ‘facing’. We’ve gone through times when we shared the sadness, and now I’m sort of...more composed. What I can do, what I should do, in my current position I find myself in, maybe I’m thinking about it a little bit calmer. “Karute” was only less than half a year since the disaster, that’s why [I had such principle].
‘Facing people’s feelings’, with that principle, what kind of experience you gained from taking part in this drama?
Hmm, but this time also, actually it’s the same with “Karute”. I think, carelessly stating that the Great East Japan Earthquake as my -the one who send the message- motivation, is very arrogant. If people who receive the message could sympathize or are moved by it, I will feel very happy, but I don’t think I can be overconfident that I have such power.
But I believe the March 11 disaster was also an event that changed our values. Sakurai san also said before, “The mundane became unusual”. I think in some parts, it has some connection with “Blackboard”, about how we rebuild from where the values have changed. Do you insert such views as well?
This will be under the assumption that the people in disaster area are touched by this drama, but what I believe is very meaningful, or I should say…significant from this work is that, regarding the first episode in which I’m appearing, we are communicating the theme through the media which is television. I believe it is significant.
We convey it through the broadcast television whose audience is the general public. It’s like opening a Pandora box that people tend not to open.
I think by broadcasting this drama on television, whose audience is the public, it will expand the layers of people who would feel it. In that sense, how should I put this….if we say it in an exaggerating manner, I think it’s some sort of a challenge to the media. But well, I’m not in the position to say that.
When you are taking part in a work with such strong message, doesn’t it make you think about various things such as life, future or era?
Yes it does. In the last scene, Shouhei tells a message to his students. What would I do if it was me? I tried to think of the answer, but I couldn’t come up with any. There are days when I think “Can I say that?” and there are days when I think “Maybe I would say this and this…” and there are days when I think “I will definitely say this…”
That’s why it’s very difficult to describe it as “A drama with such and such message.
In 2009, you said “I want to leave something behind for the children of the future”, is there any connection with that also?
Hmm, yes, I think there is. To me, this drama is quite self-contained. In other words, I am allowed to take part in my dream work, so I don’t want to regret. That is the first thing comes to my mind. Right now, I have no room to think about to whom we will deliver [the drama]. Although maybe I will be able to do that once I see the completed work, but now, I can hardly think about what lies beyond the camera.
That is unexpected. Just like when you sit on the newscaster seat, I thought you strongly think that you want to convey something, you want to be the medium.
Hmm, yes, of course I also feel that way. When I was offered this drama, and also maybe after we’re finished shooting, but today, right now when we’re filming, for the period of around one month, the sense of fulfillment I feel every day surpasses that. Maybe it is not proper to say it’s enjoyable, but I feel fulfilled every day.
You mean like a sense of accomplishment?
Yes. We create, and I can feel in reality that it is accumulated….it’s like “we’re filming!”
Now, that is really…irresistible! (laugh)
(laugh) So you did not tell anyone you wanted to do this drama, but rather it happened to be offered to you?
Yes, because I can’t say that [I want to do this kind of drama] (laugh)
You also did not tell anyone you wished to be a newscaster, but you were offered, and “Blackboard” as well, you are so fortunate.
Yes, yes, I’m fortunate don’t you think? I’m lucky you know (laugh)
Hahahaha
I really think so
Moreover, it’s the first work after you reached the age you always wanted to be.
That’s right. This will be repetitive, but the main theme is education, and the war itself is not the center topic. But to me, putting myself in that era through the character I play is a very important thing…how should I put this…..well it’s not the Kokuritsu Stadium concert, but it was [also] beyond my dream.
When you actually put yourself in the place beyond your dream, what did you feel the most?
……hmm….maybe the feeling whether I could live as strong as them. Not only Shouhei, but each and every member of his family, also Akira who worked at the ironworks. It applies to all of the people who lived in that era.
What kind of work you want this drama to be?
Maybe it deviates from what you intend to ask, but 5 years later, 10 years later, when I watch the DVD [of this drama], I’m hoping it will be a work that I can laugh at while saying “I worked hard at the time. Uhyahaha”. Currently I’m still filming so I’m in the middle of accumulating process so that it can be that kind of work.
Do you think it will be a work that you’ll have a special attachment to?
Yes I do. Right after I finished filming “Nazotoki”, I started “Blackboard”. Nazotoki finished on Saturday, and Blackboard began on Monday. On Sunday, I went to greet my grandfather’s elder brother. He died in the war, and nobody has seen him, but his picture was at my grandfather and grandmother’s house since I was a child. I went to greet him on Sunday, it also means to switch [from Nazotoki to Blackboard]. I’ve never done that before.
Did you say anything [to your grandfather’s brother]?
This will be the opposite of what I said just now, but I said “I will try my very best so that it will touch as many people’s heart as possible. So please watch over me.” I went there to deliver that feeling……that’s why I’m thinking to go and greet him again after we’ve done filming safely.
----fin----
Translator’s note and opinion:
Sorry it’s shorter than I’d planned, I came home so late, worked on this and it’s almost 3 am now. It’s weekend tomorrow but I have some plans from early in the morning. I decided to post the continuation even it’s only around 570 words now while people are still talking about Blackboard.
It's done.
Have you watched it by the way? If you haven’t, I really really recommend it. Sho’s acting was at its best, in fact, he did not act, he completely became Shirahama Shouhei. I think the story line itself was not that exceptional, but really, Sho made it amazing.
Some parts of the interview here are probably the deepest and the most insightful, and what I found interesting is the part where the interviewer wanted Sho to connect this drama with the disaster, but Sho seemed to be too humbled to say that he can send the message to live, rebuild, etc to the victims. At first I thought Sho didn’t understand the interviewer’s intention, but on the contrary, he understood very well, but like he said in the interview, he thinks it’s “arrogant” to say the disaster is his motivation. I think maybe it's because he himself was not affected directly by the disaster, so saying those things to people who actually suffered would be too arrogant. He avoided saying that at least twice (or maybe it’s just me thinking?)
Also, it’s interesting how he sees conveying the issue about Japan losing the war, and the change of values from militarism to democracy is like opening a Pandora box. It is in fact, a taboo topic most people would avoid, and what’s more, most of young people in Japan don’t even care. But Sho does.
And one more, it seems Sho really feels a kind of self-satisfaction here, and I think it is shown clearly in the drama. He was satisfied enough only to be able to lived in that era through the character, we could see that he really lived there. The consistency between what he said and what he did is amazing, imo.
Thank you so much for reading through to the end, I know not many people read in-depth interviews such these, and this one, in particular, is so serious. It's very interesting for those who are interested in the different sides of the boys, but maybe it's not a popular reading material? xD. So I really really appreciate those who read and double appreciate those who left some comments, thank you so much.....
-end