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murasakinoiro · 6 months ago

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Dream Conversation 1997 - Kuze Seika and Hanafusa Mari

This cute conversation, featuring stories about Hanafusa’s admiration for Kuze during her hatsubutai days and anecdotes from events they worked on together, was published in the March 1997 issue of Kageki. At the time, Kuze Seika was in the middle of her final show as Top Star of Moon Troupe, and Hanafusa Mari was Top Musumeyaku of Snow Troupe.

Dream ♥️ Conversation 1997 - Kuze Seika and Hanafusa Mari Kuze: You gave me a gift and a note for the first time when you were in music school, didn’t you?

Hanafusa: Until then, I wasn’t really into Takarazuka. Some of my classmates would say things like they had been big fans of someone for a long time, but I didn’t have that kind of experience. One day, while we were still in the first year, one of my classmates watched Kuze-san's starring performance, BLUFF, and came back saying it was incredible! She was raving about it in the dormitory bath that night. That was just before the senshuuraku of BLUFF. She urged me, "You absolutely must see it", so I went to watch it. That was the beginning.

Kuze: Was it your downfall? (laughs)

Hanafusa: After that, I completely fell in love with you, Kuze-san! I had never been interested in becoming someone’s fan before, so my classmates were surprised by how much I had changed and began supporting me wholeheartedly. They encouraged me, saying things like, “The raku is soon, you should send her a gift” or “Write her a letter”. With their help, we went together to buy a gift for you.

Kuze: Since you used your real name, I thought you were an otokoyaku. Then, Ton-chan (Murasaki) looked at the name and said, "I think that’s a really cute girl". I thought, "Huh, interesting". Then, you came to our troupe for your hatsubutai.

Hanafusa: That’s not quite right, at the culture festival, I received a gift from Kuze-san.

Kuze: Oh, right, that’s true. (laughs)

Hanafusa: I remember it clearly. After a performance, I came back feeling hot and thirsty, grabbed a juice box, and started sipping it without knowing who it was from. Then I wondered whose it was—and it turned out to be from you, Kuze-san! I screamed, “Look, look! Ku—Ku—Kuze-san gave me this!” It was such an unexpected and delightful surprise, and my classmates celebrated with me.

Kuze: (laughs)

Hanafusa: My hatsubutai was with the Moon Troupe. On the shuugoubi, it was the underclassmen’ responsibility to organize and hand over the fan letters that had accumulated during the break to the upperclassmen. I really want to be the one to deliver Kuze-san’s letters! Everyone knew it, so they handed me Kuze-san’s letters and said "Dai-chan (Hanafusa), take these to her!” I remember that moment so clearly. When I entered the rehearsal room, you were wearing a black leather coat and sitting in the farthest corner. The distance to your seat felt so far, and as I carried the letters, I kept muttering to myself, “Will she notice me? No, she won’t recognize me…” Murasaki Tomo-san was nearby and pointed me out, saying, “This is the girl.” You smiled and said, “Thank you, as always.” That moment is still vivid in my memory.

Kuze: During your hatsubutai performance, I still remember how you always stood there, slightly tilting your head and smiling brightly. I’m the type who isn’t very sociable with underclassmen. When they offered to help, I would usually say, "It’s fine, I can manage on my own." But Hana-chan (Hanafusa) would smile cheerfully and say, "I want to do it, so I will!" You were the kind of person who tore through my shell and broke down my walls.

Hanafusa: Did I really?

Kuze: Yes, eventually, I got used to it. You never overstepped and always helped in just the right way, striking the perfect balance. In the end, I think I ended up relying on you.

Hanafusa: After the performance, I would always wait, wondering when Kuze-san might call for me. When I heard “Dai-chan!” from afar, it made me so happy. While most people find their hatsubutai nerve-wracking and full of first-time challenges, I just found it incredibly fun.

Kuze: After we were in different troupes, there were times we stood next to each other during the TMP Music Festival finale parade. And when I guest-starred in the Snow Troupe as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind, we had a brief interaction during the party scene. Then, when we worked together on the radio program "Onatsu Seijuro", I realized just how earnest and dedicated Hana-chan really is. I’m serious too, but sometimes I get a bit shy and joke around to lighten the mood. But Hana-chan was so focused that you'd laugh nervously and say, “Please stop!” while adjusting your voice. That’s when I thought, “Hanafusa Mari is truly such a serious person.”

Hanafusa: I was so nervous back then. Even last year, when we performed Eternal Tale together during the TCA Special, I was incredibly nervous.

Kuze: I’m glad we got to do it together. The radio work was fun, but after so many years, Hana-chan had become a Top Musumeyaku and built your own career, and I had done various things in my own way, collaborating again with someone I rarely get to work with was truly a great experience.

Hanafusa: On the first day of rehearsal, I was so nervous, wondering, “What will she think of me?" "What if she thinks I’m terrible?” But performing alongside Kuze-san, the person I had admired since my debut, felt truly surreal and deeply moving. Lately, I haven’t had many opportunities to watch Kuze-san’s performances…

Kuze: Whenever you come to watch, you always greet me with a radiant smile, saying, “I’m here to watch today!” In those moments, you look so carefree and pure, just like you were in your hatsubutai days.

Hanafusa: In front of Kuze-san, I feel like I go back to being my hatsubutai self.

Kuze: But even back then, you had a strong sense of self. You weren’t just smiling, there was a quiet, steadfast strength in you, almost a kind of independence. You also had such elegance. Roles like Elisabeth were truly a perfect fit for you. I also loved your performance as Natasha in Natasha of the Rainbow. Watching you in the furisode kimono, darting energetically, was like watching a puppy wagging its tail in excitement—it was absolutely adorable.

Hanafusa: I feel like I’ve relaxed a bit since those days. Back then, I was always so desperate, thinking, “I can’t do it, so I have to push myself even harder,” and I would get completely absorbed in the role. I couldn’t let go of the tension at all. But then, I got to play Natasha, a character with a completely opposite image to Elisabeth, and before I knew it, I even found myself laughing backstage.

Kuze: Before Natasha, you didn’t even have time to smile, did you?

Hanafusa: Even when I smiled, I would immediately switch back to being serious. But with Natasha, it felt like I could step on stage while still smiling backstage. Since then, people around me have started saying that my expression seems to have softened.

Kuze: Changes like that are often something the people around you notice first, like, “Oh, something’s different!” And when that happens, it might unknowingly make things easier for those around you as well, which is a good thing. In Takarazuka, when the onnayaku is strong, it makes the otokoyaku shine too. When a onnayaku has a strong core, it makes the stage much more engaging. Hana-chan, you’re like that, and so is Yuuko (Kazahana)—both of you have a solid presence as musumeyaku. Working with people like that makes things easier for otokoyaku as well. I think the changes in you are wonderful, Hana-chan. When you’re in that state, I think you’ll be able to enjoy whatever comes your way.

Hanafusa: Is that so? Today, I had the chance to watch Kuze-san's farewell performance, and as I watched, I couldn’t help but think how amazing your slicked-back hairstyle still looks. Please don’t think I’m weird for saying this! I love Kuze-san's warm singing voice and the way you deliver your lines—I love everything about you—but my very first admiration was for your slicked-back hairstyle. That hasn’t changed since my days at music school, and I realized that again today. Knowing that Kuze-san is retiring makes me feel truly sad. You were my first inspiration and have always been extraordinary presence to me.

Kuze: Hana-chan, I’m sure you believe that the one you’re working with now are the best, but the feelings you had during your hatsubutai are something entirely different, aren’t they?

Hanafusa: Yes, in front of you, Kuze-san, I always become my younger self again. You’ve been watching over me since I was a ken-1 student.

Kuze: It really is such a mysterious bond, isn’t it? We don’t see each other often, but when we do run into each other somewhere, we suddenly start talking about roles or dive into a lively conversation. Hana-chan, you’ve always been the type to break right through my shell and come in so openly, which made you stand out to me as someone special. There’s just something about you that lingers in my mind—when I happen to see you, I find myself wondering, “Is she doing well?” As a performer, your natural talent is undeniable, but you also have a kind of presence that feels like the gods are always smiling down on you. Stay the earnest Hana-chan you are now, but also find ways to enjoy life to its fullest. Keep doing your best and stay healthy!

Hanafusa: Since my ken-1 year, our relationship hasn’t changed, and even now, being able to talk like this makes me feel so happy. I love Kuze-san’s performances, and of course, I want to keep seeing you on stage. But I also love the real, unguarded Kuze-san, so the thought of us drifting apart feels lonely and regretful. Please promise me we’ll meet again even after you retire!

Kuze: Alright, let’s stay close even after I retire. (laughs)

#takarazuka #kuze seika #hanafusa mari #takarazuka revue #moon troupe #snow troupe #my scan #my personal collection

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yuzukahibiscus · 2 years ago

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SEWATCH (95th Class) – 2016 Archives

From 2010, Takarazuka GRAPH has a corner for introducing classmates (douki) in our colour pages. 95th class is the 6th edition and we now disclose excerpts of writer Seo Yuria (Seocchi) and her classmates.

~ Taken from August 2021 GRAPH.

JANUARY – Seo Yuria X Manaki Reika

To celebrate our first issue, the guest is...Manaki Reika of Moon Troupe ☽ It's Chapi~♡ Ah, she's an angel ♡ She's full of clarity....Let'Sewatch the mystery of this angel descending to earth!!!!

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Seocchi: Everyone already knows about the beauty and cuteness of Chapi, so I thought what if we showed a different side of Chapi~

Chapi: No, not at all. But because it's the New Year issue, aren't we wearing these for the New Year?

Seocchi: We thought, "Year of the...Monkey, right? OH!" (LOL) What do you think about becoming a monkey (LOL)?

Chapi: Since I was born, I've been told that I look like a monkey, so it's an honour to be a monkey [for this corner].

Both: (exploding in laughter).

Chapi: My mother used to say, "I thought I gave birth to a monkey" (LOL).

Seocchi: Well, you could say you returned to your roots. What a new feeling (LOL).

Chapi: Yes, that's right. My ears are also "far away from each other" (and while saying that, Chapi flapped her hands beside her ears).

Seocchi: That's cute (LOL).

FEBRUARY – Seo Yuria X Rei Makoto

The guest for this month is the Super Boy, our Rei Makoto of Star Troupe ☆ It's Coto-chan~ (Coto)☆

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Seocchi: I thought would it be possible to show a side of Co-chan that everyone hasn't seen before~ and the result of constant frustration and thinking, I've decided that we should wear the Takarazuka Music School uniforms!!

Coto: First, I need to find my uniform~

Seocchi: Yeah (LOL). How do you feel? Actually.

Coto: No I mean, it's nostalgic.

Seocchi: I remembered that the two of us used to sit side by side whle having lessons.

Coto: That's when both of us were fighting the urge to sleep away.

Seocchi: A time that we were scolded almost every day, but the days where we were very determined.

MARCH – Seo Yuria X Reimi Urara

Now, the guest this time is Reimi Urara-sama of Cosmos Troupe, it's Yuuri!! Let'Sewatch at the mystery of this flawless beautiful girl!!!

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Seocchi: While both of us are thinking a lot about what to do, we heard Zun-chan (Sakuragi Minato) having her interview nearby on "What is your dream if you didn't enter Takarazuka!?".

Urara: We heard her answer, "I'm not sure if this is what I really want to do, but maybe the admirable flight attendants?"...

Seocchi: That's why everyone can see this wonderful Reimi Urara-sama!! (Thanks Zun-chan~♡)

Urara: I hope we can show that relationship between the pilot and the flight attendant (LOL).

Seocchi: There's some story between us... (LOL)

Urara: (LOL). That's fun!

APRIL – Seo Yuria X Tsukishiro Kanato

The guest this month is – remarkable! Tsukishiro Kanato of Snow Troupe!! It's Usshi (Reiko)✨ Wow~ So pretty...She's already beautiful, so let'Sewatch if we could show a mysteriously different look of Tsukishiro Kanato-sama.

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Seocchi: After much thinking...

Reiko: We revived as the anime of "Shonen Ashibe"!! Well, I like Goma-chan. No, not just that, I like seals (LOL).

Seocchi: That's why, Usshi wore a seal costume and searched for various pictures, and found this really cute seal costume, and asked me "how do you think"?

Reiko: No, it's because I said, I want to be a more real seal!!

Seocchi: She seriously ordered this full costume (LOL). How do you feel wearing it?

Reiko: When I actually wear the costume, I can feel it looks fluffier than how Goma-chan was like, (LOL), but I'm really satisfied!!

Seocchi: That's great~ It's a great success that it made Usshi satisfied!

MAY – Seo Yuria X Minami Maito

The fifth guest is Flower Trouope otokoyaku Minami Maito (Maiti) ❀ I wanto see~!! Let'Sewatch the stunning muscles of this girl!!!

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Seocchi: If we talk about Minami, it's muscles!! That's why I immediately think of the muscleman Superman, and we had a meeting over this photoshoot [concept] (LOL).

Maiti: What!? Is my image really like that? I thought (LOL).

Seocchi: No, when we first met, you were skinny!! Then after the summer of being a primary course student (yokasei), I was so shocked (LOL).

Maiti: Right, right, when I came back my uniform seems stiff [from the muscles] (LOL).

Seocchi: I thought, what did Minami do in the summer!!!!! I remember everyone being crazy over it (LOL). That image is too strong, you definitely need to be Superman this time!

Maiti: But, this costume seems too buff (LOL). This is too exaggerated!! Look at the texture of these muscles (LOL)!!!!

Seocchi: How do you feel actually wearing it?

Maiti: No, but it seems easy to turn on the switch to get into character with this kind of costume (LOL).

Seocchi: (LOL). That's great!!

Maiti: Like that "I'm a hero!" kind of vibe. (LOL)

Seocchi: If you feel good about it, you should wear this under your rehearsal clothes next time, and when something happens, you can remove those clothes to reveal yourself as Superman!! Then it would be great!! (LOL)

Maiti: I got it!! If that's necessary, I'll give Seocchi (Seo) a call! Believe in me!!

Both: (exploding in laughter).

JUNE – Seo Yuria X Misaki Rion

This month we have our princess from Cosmos Troupe 💕 Let'Sewatch at Misaki Rion (Mirion)~ 👀

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Seocchi: We decided easily this time.

Mirion: Yes, yes, I asked Seocchi "Can I be a nurse?"

Seocchi: Surely, I also wish to see how Kumi-chan (Misaki) is as a nurse (LOL).

Mirion: Since I was young', I've admired nurse so I thought, "Nurses are good!!" and decided on the theme quickly.

Seocchi: How does it feel? To be a nurse.

Mirion: I'm very satisfied because it feels my wish is fulfilled! Holding onto the syringe, I felt it was fun to feel how it is for a nurse (LOL). (I also enjoyed seeing Kumi-chan's look as a nurse!!)

Seocchi: I'm also excited because I want to play as a doctor!!!!

Mirion: You seem to really like the stethoscope (LOL).

Seocchi: Yes (LOL). This feels like "The Dangerous Love of the Doctor and the Nurse" (LOL). I hope everyone could feel happy seeing this photo and imagining various situations!

JULY – Seo Yuria X Kizuki Yuuma

This month, let'Sewatch at the mysterious Mayupon, or Kizuki Yuuma of Moon Troupe, who is so inclusive and gentle towards others~✨

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Seocchi: This time, I hope it'd be great to do a concept of boys' friendship that I could do only with Myaupon.

Mayupon: Right!! We talked about, let's make this look manly as possible!

Seocchi: So, we told the edtors we wanted to do something like [the movie] "Umizaru", and we didn't think we'd have these costumes handmade!!

Both: Thank you so much!!!!!!

Seocchi: How does it feel wearing these?

Mayupon: Yes, this is so fun ♪ Of course, we wear various kinds of costumes on stage, but this feels totally different!!!

Seocchi: That's right. This feel like "Real Men's" kind of feeling (LOL)! And with that, we'd be happy if this lets everyone realise Mayupon's new charms!!

AUGUST – Seo Yuria X Hinami Fuu

This month, we have our princess from Star Troupe✨✨✨ Let'Sewatch the mysterious Fuu-chan, or Hinami Fuu!

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Seocchi: We always talk about tropical countries ☼✨

Fuu-chan: Right! We never knew we would love tropical countries so much ✨

Seocchi: If there's a chance, I always thought I should go to the Sebu in Philippines with Fuu-chan and Matsuko (Renju Kouki) ☼

Fuu-chan: Right!!! My first overseas vacation was at Sebu, and it was really exciting✨✨✨

Seocchi: Every day would be so fun✨ So we decided to wear something we would in these tropical countries! How does the photoshoot feel for Fuu-chan?

Fuu-chan: Well, fun✨ Wearing the aloha shirts, holding on to the ukuleles immediately!!!

Seocchi: Yes✨✨ It's as if we could see the sun in front of us ☼

SEPTEMBER – Seo Yuria X Sakuragi Minato

This month, let'Sewatch the mysterious Zun-chan, or Sakuragi Minato of Cosmos Troupe, who always flashes the wonderful child smile ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Zun: About sommelier, it's just a Style we simply want to do!!!

Seocchi: No, no matter how we say it, this look great.

Zun: Yes (LOL). It's just black, so it may look plain~ Which is why we also used wine bottles and glasses.

Seocchi: I think this makes it look really stylish!!

Zun: I hope to wear this costume one day on stage.

Seocchi: It was fun to feel like a sommelier even for a short while~♫

OCTOBER – Seo Yuria X Asami Jun

This month, let'Sewatch the mysterious Asami Jun of Moon Troupe or Aasa✨✨ Truly from her name, she is beautiful from the morning~ (*Asa 朝 = morning; Mi 美 = beauty)

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Seocchi: I asked you, what do we want to do?

Aasa: We thought about our similarities...

Both: We have a strong visual!!!!

Aasa: Then, we decided on doing [the manga series] "Thermae Romae" and on the day when we wore the costumes, and tried the first photo, and we chekced to find out??????????????

Both: We have a weak visual!!!! (LOL)

Aasa: This is an emergency situation 💦 She quickly came to the dressing room of Moon Troupe since we were performing (LOL).

Seocchi: Yes, I went to Aasa's makeup table and both of us desperately wanted to make up for it.

Aasa: We started putting more makeup! (LOL)

Seocchi: How did you feel wearing this?

Aasa: It feels comfortable and it makes me feel really good! As if, this was how I would be like in my past life (LOL).

Seocchi: You're not wrong! Have you worn this type of costume on stage before?

Aasa: Nope, this is my first time! Also it was fun to use different small props for the photoshoot✨

NOVEMBER – Seo Yuria X Hoshino Anri

This month let'Sewatch the mysterious Hoshino Anri of Snow Troupe, or Hiroko ❅

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Seocchi: This time, both of us thought over quite a lot. Then Hiroko suggested, "Should we do baseball [concept]?"

Hiroko: Yes! If you turn on the television, you can see the rankings of Se Ring or Pa Ring, [Hiroshima Toyo] Carp and [Fukuoka] Softbank [Hawks] would be the top positions respectively, and they are baseball leagues of our hometown, so we wore their jerseys✨

Seocchi: Well, I believe when this [October] issue, Carp would definitely win by then!

Hiroko: Softbank too! Because they are so powerful!! If Carp wins, wouldn't that be since then 25 years since their last win?

Seocchi: Amazing! Hiroko knows so much! (LOL) When both teams win, let's celebrate together!

Both: Let's do this!!!

Seocchi: How does it feel wearing this uniform?

Hiroko: No, before wearing it I was already thrilled. I was even more excited to wear it! I was jumping around just thinking of it before Seocchi came! (LOL)

Seocchi: Ahaha (LOL). So cute.... 💦but I missed your moment💦

Hiroko: (LOL)

Seocchi: As expected, won't seeing these uniforms make your heart race? Because we've always seen these uniforms!!

Hiroko: Yes! We saw them before, and now we're wearing them ✨

Seocchi: The photoshoot was fun. But for our hats....

Hiroko: Instead of holding onto them, we were holding on the baseball bats instead (LOL).

Seocchi: Because we felt it would be awkward with our hands empty.

Hiroko: We're not used to that (LOL).

DECEMBER – Seo Yuria X Yuzuka Rei

This month we have Yuzuka Rei of Flower Troupe to grace the last edition✨ Let'Sewatch the mysterious Rei-chan 👀✨

~About the theme of our cosplay~

Seocchi: The costumes for today are really surreal! (LOL)

Rei: Really! When I wore it, this was more surreal than I imagined (LOL). It's Christmas when we talk about December, which is why we dressed up like that.

Seocchi: Right! I was thinking if I should do Santa or the reindeer, but she said, "But Santa Claus won't look as funny, right?" (LOL) As expected✨

Rei: (LOL). So we featured supporting characters! But I was surprised because I was surprised because I couldn't do many poses with these costumes (LOL).

Seocchi: Right! That's something we missed out💦 Because [trees and snowman] give off inanimate vibes (Iaughs).

Rei: Even if we act a lot into it, our faces...

Seocchi: Becomes emotionless (LOL).

Rei: It's rare that it was difficult to smile [in this costume] (LOL). Which by the way, I read this corner every month! But I thought, "She doesn't call me a lot....will this end without me...." (LOL).

Seocchi: Really.... (erupts into laughter). So you felt anxious over it, I'm sorry!

Rei: Nah, but this was great fun–♪

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