[translation] Yamapi: 0409 vol. 98 (Seventeen 2013.05)
0409 vol.98
Yamashita Tomohisa
Footsteps of the heart
RISE
Thanks to kyara and watchful21.
Yamapi takes a pen and without hesitating starts drawing on the board. The end result is an artwork with the image of “Rise↑” in mind! He talks to us about the moments he feels high and memories of when he rose on top of the stage he aspired.
When I get some time off and go overseas, my hype rises. When the plane lands, the moment I leave the gate, if the sky is wide and the weather is fine, that is enough for it to rise at once!! When working, before the recording of a music program I put rock music on my player and raise my hype! Music programs are usually transmitted in the evening time, so when recording starts in the morning, it is especially in those times I definitely have to raise my spirits! But when I have to work on a drama in the morning I don’t force it. There are many people who watch the news or who are waking up to them, so if it’s just me feeling all hyper, it would be uncomfortable.
After a concert is over, it’s impossible to stop the excitement right away. We sometimes go for a drink all together. When we don’t, before I go to bed I drink a little sake to calm myself down. And when I meet up with high school friends, the connection we had at the time comes back so I feel high. I was quite hyper when I was in high school (laugh). It was quite some years ago that a friend who saw my performance said, “You’re lame!” I got so fired up and replied back, “Shut up you b***! I’ll show you what I can do!!” On the contrary, if I think they’re weird, I tell them. A relationship where each of us can tell the other that he’s weird is precious. That’s why, even now, when they tell me, “You’re cool!” I feel very happy.
I haven’t been in many rankings lately, but when I was a junior I came in first at a “Jr. whom you would like to be your lover” ranking made by Myojo. I was very happy. If I’m not mistaken, I was chosen 3 years in a row. I remember clearly holding a bouquet and photos being taken (laugh).
Speaking of which, after we finished shooting the drama “MONSTERS,” I wrote a letter to (Katori) Shingo-kun full of feelings of gratitude. From the reply to that, these words remain in my heart: “Become a rice stalk.” When a rice stalk bears fruit, the more it grows the more its head will sag and hang down, right? I want to make sure never to forget those feelings of modesty.
One thing that makes me smile without realizing it, are babies. When I see their smiles I see how adorable they are. Ever since a friend of mine had a kid I’ve been more exposed to interactions with babies. At first I was scared of holding it in my arms, but I’ve become quite used to it now. I’ve even bathed it. Almost feels like I’m its uncle (laugh). One day I would like to become a papa, too. It’s still early now, though.
Whether or not I get nervous on a first encounter depends on the person; even if it’s a daisenpai, if it’s a guy then I don’t really feel nervous, maybe because both of us are guys. But if it’s an actress with an actress aura, then I get a little nervous. Though that only happens the first or second time that we meet. Once we start performing I don’t feel nervous anymore. Worst case scenario, if I mess up my lines I just ask to have a second take (laugh). Besides, there’s always staff who direct things, and as long as the environment is organized, everything goes well. But when it’s a live broadcast, I get a particular feeling of tension. Among all programs, that happens especially in “Music Station.” That’s because, ever since I was a junior, my senpais and everyone around me hammered me about how great the program is. Also, the year-end program “FNS Music Festival.” When I participated in it last year on my own, I felt a lot of pressure. Thinking back on things like this, I realize how big the responsibility that comes with this work is. But it is important in my life, makes me feel that I can become a real man, so I will work hard!
My memories of the past are all jumbled so I might be changing some bits, but I still remember the impression I had when I went on stage as a back dancer for Kinki Kids in the very beginning. I was 11 years old. Back then it was my dream to be a front dancer, and before I knew it, I realized “Ah, my dream came true!” But in that environment, as soon as one dream comes true, a new, different dream becomes your goal. My dream right now… I can’t tell yet (laugh). There’s a part of me that frets and gets impatient. Time goes by so fast, so I feel that if I don’t hurry, I’ll become an old man in no time (laugh). I felt this way when I was 23~24 years old as well, but now I’m once again fretting and thinking I need to do something about this! We only live once after all. If we could live a second time, I’d probably feel that I can do things in my second life.
P. photo
『One afternoon』I took this photo inside the car one afternoon as I was out and about. I’m happy the weather’s become warm.
[What is “0409”?] It is Yamashita’s birthday. It is a pun; “4 (shi) = happiness (shiawase), delight (yorokobi),” and “9 (ku) = comes (kuru).”
Yamashita Tomohisa
Footsteps of the heart
RISE
Thanks to kyara and watchful21.
Yamapi takes a pen and without hesitating starts drawing on the board. The end result is an artwork with the image of “Rise↑” in mind! He talks to us about the moments he feels high and memories of when he rose on top of the stage he aspired.
When I get some time off and go overseas, my hype rises. When the plane lands, the moment I leave the gate, if the sky is wide and the weather is fine, that is enough for it to rise at once!! When working, before the recording of a music program I put rock music on my player and raise my hype! Music programs are usually transmitted in the evening time, so when recording starts in the morning, it is especially in those times I definitely have to raise my spirits! But when I have to work on a drama in the morning I don’t force it. There are many people who watch the news or who are waking up to them, so if it’s just me feeling all hyper, it would be uncomfortable.
After a concert is over, it’s impossible to stop the excitement right away. We sometimes go for a drink all together. When we don’t, before I go to bed I drink a little sake to calm myself down. And when I meet up with high school friends, the connection we had at the time comes back so I feel high. I was quite hyper when I was in high school (laugh). It was quite some years ago that a friend who saw my performance said, “You’re lame!” I got so fired up and replied back, “Shut up you b***! I’ll show you what I can do!!” On the contrary, if I think they’re weird, I tell them. A relationship where each of us can tell the other that he’s weird is precious. That’s why, even now, when they tell me, “You’re cool!” I feel very happy.
I haven’t been in many rankings lately, but when I was a junior I came in first at a “Jr. whom you would like to be your lover” ranking made by Myojo. I was very happy. If I’m not mistaken, I was chosen 3 years in a row. I remember clearly holding a bouquet and photos being taken (laugh).
Speaking of which, after we finished shooting the drama “MONSTERS,” I wrote a letter to (Katori) Shingo-kun full of feelings of gratitude. From the reply to that, these words remain in my heart: “Become a rice stalk.” When a rice stalk bears fruit, the more it grows the more its head will sag and hang down, right? I want to make sure never to forget those feelings of modesty.
One thing that makes me smile without realizing it, are babies. When I see their smiles I see how adorable they are. Ever since a friend of mine had a kid I’ve been more exposed to interactions with babies. At first I was scared of holding it in my arms, but I’ve become quite used to it now. I’ve even bathed it. Almost feels like I’m its uncle (laugh). One day I would like to become a papa, too. It’s still early now, though.
Whether or not I get nervous on a first encounter depends on the person; even if it’s a daisenpai, if it’s a guy then I don’t really feel nervous, maybe because both of us are guys. But if it’s an actress with an actress aura, then I get a little nervous. Though that only happens the first or second time that we meet. Once we start performing I don’t feel nervous anymore. Worst case scenario, if I mess up my lines I just ask to have a second take (laugh). Besides, there’s always staff who direct things, and as long as the environment is organized, everything goes well. But when it’s a live broadcast, I get a particular feeling of tension. Among all programs, that happens especially in “Music Station.” That’s because, ever since I was a junior, my senpais and everyone around me hammered me about how great the program is. Also, the year-end program “FNS Music Festival.” When I participated in it last year on my own, I felt a lot of pressure. Thinking back on things like this, I realize how big the responsibility that comes with this work is. But it is important in my life, makes me feel that I can become a real man, so I will work hard!
My memories of the past are all jumbled so I might be changing some bits, but I still remember the impression I had when I went on stage as a back dancer for Kinki Kids in the very beginning. I was 11 years old. Back then it was my dream to be a front dancer, and before I knew it, I realized “Ah, my dream came true!” But in that environment, as soon as one dream comes true, a new, different dream becomes your goal. My dream right now… I can’t tell yet (laugh). There’s a part of me that frets and gets impatient. Time goes by so fast, so I feel that if I don’t hurry, I’ll become an old man in no time (laugh). I felt this way when I was 23~24 years old as well, but now I’m once again fretting and thinking I need to do something about this! We only live once after all. If we could live a second time, I’d probably feel that I can do things in my second life.
P. photo
『One afternoon』I took this photo inside the car one afternoon as I was out and about. I’m happy the weather’s become warm.
[What is “0409”?] It is Yamashita’s birthday. It is a pun; “4 (shi) = happiness (shiawase), delight (yorokobi),” and “9 (ku) = comes (kuru).”