The men’s short program (SP) was held, and Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA), the reigning Olympic champion in Sochi ’14 and Pyeongchang ’18, finished in first with a score of 103.53. After his performance, he reflected on his SP in an online interview.
Q: Could you tell us about the short program costume?
A: Well, itโs not really something I can say much about, but. Well, itโs something a little rock-like. Um, well, itโs Robbie Williamsโ song, so itโs also incorporating a little of his image.
A: In the beginning, itโs Jeffrey Buttle who picked the music. At first, I was looking for a piano piece, but, well, Jeffrey-san wasnโt really able to decide on something either. So, even after going over 2-3 choices, in the end, there wasnโt one that really just came to me. And in the midst of seeing the news and the current state of the world, I think ultimately a kind of light-hearted piece [would be better], uhm, since everyone is watching me skate even during these tough times, I thought maybe something of a cheerful theme (would be good).
Q: [What are your thoughts] Heading into the free program?
A: First, I think itโs important to recover properly. However, I think Iโve had amazing practices before this. Though in reality, thatโs not reflected in the score. As for the jumps, all I can say is that Iโve landed them. I hope I can properly deliver another good performance tomorrow.
Q: [What are your thoughts] upon finishing your skate?
A: Well, to be honest, I think I was able to enjoy it, but looking at the score, I canโt say that it was a good performance, therefore, my current thought is that I would like to revise it while doing my best to prepare for tomorrow.
A: For the time being itโs that I didnโt push to maximize the technical (aspects) at all. Also, well, I think my jumps are (usually) high-earning in GOE. I think itโs an issue that I wasnโt able to properly obtain that.
Q: What were your feelings upon entering the venue?
A: Now that you mention it, it felt like I couldnโt really hear any voices. On the contrary somehow, the cheers that everyone gave for todayโs new program and when they saw the new costume felt like they were resonating inside my heart. It was like I received that support in a new way.
Q: You put in 2 quads. What do you think about their quality?
A: Well, Iโve landed them, so you could say 50% I guessโฆ However, about the scores, I havenโt seen the details actually so I canโt say anything. But in terms of GOE, it wasnโt good so, uhm, Iโm thinking itโd be great if I can figure out things such as how to upgrade it a little bit more, how to allocate time in the 6-minute warmup, etc.
Q: (Your thoughts) on doing a rock number after a long while?
A: Um, well to be honest, it was a little unfortunate not to be able to hear (audience) cheering, but, well, I think I was able to somehow feel that maybe those watching on TV or those watching online were cheering very loudly me on, so I was able to skate while having fun.
A: To speak in detail, first, I was sent the stepwork. Well, the placement of the steps themselves were in reverse.* Also, things like the incorporation of the music and hand movements, well, thereโs a lot that mostly I arranged. And, regarding the jumps too, I conveyed the overall timing I wanted to do for them, and then, there were also the [parts] Jeff arranged. So I wanted to ask various things about how all of that would fit in if it went with my original timing, but I didnโt get a reply at all (laughs), so yes, I choreographed it by myself while going through trial and error.
*T/N: This is our guess but we assume he means that because he was sent the video of the choreo that was presumably shot front on (the way the audience would see his performance), he would have had to mirror the steps instead of copying directly what he saw on the video when actually skating the choreo.
Q: Anything you are particularly emphasizing (in the program)?
A: Well, I think itโs maybe something like โpush and pull.โ Iโm trying to add in a lot of different things. Really, in a certain sense, I think Iโm trying to emphasize that everything in the program is worth paying attention to. However, amongst all of that, itโs to be balanced with the jumps. Also, well, I tried to insert various things while considering the artistic aspect, like where I could take a breath and really ride it out, all while everyone is watching.
Q: Did you arrange or put anything from your old performances (into this program)?
A: Of course there were things that seem to be now associated with my name, which are things that I want to highlight, and things that I extracted (from my old programs). However, afterall, I took a lot of care thinking about how to choreograph this program and for this music.
The Japanese National Championships will start from 25 December at Naganoโs Big Hat. Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Gold Medallist Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA) attended the public practice at the venue on the 24th. For Hanyu, who had withdrawn from the Grand Prix series due to the effects of COVID-19, this competition will be his first this season. After the practice, he was interviewed online.
Q: How was your feeling after the public practice, and the thoughts behind deciding to compete at the Japanese National Championships?
A: It’s been awhile since I’ve practised on a rink with so many people so there were certain senses/feelings [of being on the ice with them] that I didn’t quite grasp but in a sense, it was a fresh feeling and for me, truly something that I havenโt had in awhile so it was fun as well.
Q: You withdrew from the Grand Prix series. What was the thought process behind deciding to compete at the Japanese National Championships?
A: Well, my thinking hasnโt really changed. If I were to speak frankly, if it were based on my own personal considerations, where possible, I did not want to participate in activities that could be connected to spreading the virus [COVID-19]. And right now, throughout all of Japan, well, within what they are calling the third wave of the virus that is coming at us quickly, I was conflicted about whether it was okay for me to compete. However, when considering the World Championships – since the Four Continents has been cancelled – it was absolutely necessary to compete here firstly to qualify for the World Championships, so I feel the decision to compete is for the sake of tying it with my own hopes.
Q: How were your training conditions during the pandemic, and how did you pass the days?
A: Well, everyday Iโm alone and practicing without a coach. Also, yes, stuff like aftercare* was difficult too. As much as possible, Iโm not in contact with anyone aside from my family. I really did not go out at all. But even so, for me, it was an environment where I could focus on my skating, and I think maybe I was able to get in some good practice.
*T/N: Likely he means aftercare like massages and treatment after exercising etc.
A: It seems if I start worrying about something, I find it easy to enter into a spiral of negative (thoughts). But, since I was alone, I was able to deeply analyze things such as techniques on how to control it when I fall into it. Also, it was a good opportunity to experience how my condition gets worse, or my condition improves, not subject to external factors but originating from myself.
Q: What are the highlights of your programs this season, and the jump layouts?
A: With regards to the free program, the quads are loop and Salchow, and in the later half I plan to put two quad toeloops. In the short program, in the first half itโs the 4S and 4T-3T combination. In the second half I plan to do a back counter 3A.
Q: What would you like to express [in your programs]?
A: In terms of the FS I skated today, of course there is a theme to the story and a story I want to convey, but I truly would like for it to speak to the feelings of the people watching it, or something within themselves, without it being restricted [by my own interpretation]. In regards to the SP, I havenโt skated it yet today but…um, letโs see. If it can make people feel like raising their arms in the air, I would be happy.
Translation: @axelsandwich Proofreading: @yuzueco Raw Video: BBI by @aoyuzu205 Transcript: @moonright_yuzu Sub: @yuzuru_fairy
This is a 3 part video series. The interview was conducted right after Japanese Nationals in December 2019 but the program was aired in February 2020.
*A note on names: The title of the show is ็พฝ็ใจใใฅใ (‘Hanyu and Yuzuru’) and you will see the narrator say that we are getting to know ใฏใซใ ใใใฅใ for the first time. This nuance is hard to convey because it doesnโt exist in English but the name is written not in formal kanji (็พฝ็็ตๅผฆ) which is how Yuzuru is known but in hiragana, the โeasiestโ form of the Japanese alphabet, how children and Yuzu would have first learned to write their name before learning kanji. The feeling is that we are seeing a more personal, โprivate-facingโ and vulnerable side to him. For the sake of translation, the hiragana version will be written โHanyu Yuzuruโ (the Japanese name order) to distinguish the two.
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A: Well, it was the first day of practice so well, I [did so] while properly confirming my senses/feeling [for the rink/competition]. Well, I donโt think the skating itself has exactly come but I am confirming these one at a time. I skated todayโs practice while thinking anew about the best way to get a feel for the ice.
Q: Was it a good feeling to skate to Ballade No. 1?
A: Well, I can only say I will leave that to the impressions of people watching in the audience, but well, I was really nervous today. But I felt again…well, apart from Pyeongchang, it was my first time running through Ballade No. 1 in front of everyone so while being very nervous, I felt like I was once more preparing myself to skate to this program.
Q: What was your reason for changing the programs?
A: Um, I think just with this question, the interview will probably be over. Firstly, at the Grand Prix Final and Japanese Nationals, I think itโs very fun to raise the difficulty [of my layouts], and the happiness at the moment of accomplishing them is immeasurable, but, wellโฆ I think the skating Iโm aspiring to is not just doing difficult things.
I did Origin, did Otonal, but perhaps itโs not something that fits my rhythm/pace. Firstly, when it comes to technical things, the more I put in difficult elements, the more I neglect the portions of my own skating, and something I hate is separating my mind from the music because I must do so to set up for jumps. A big [factor/reason for the change] was not being able to tolerate that. And also, in terms of music, I selected those pieces Origin and Otonal after the Olympics had finished, when I myself was in a very ambivalent/floating mood, feeling like I was constantly that young boy who was always chasing after Johnny Weir and Plushenko.
Therefore, I think itโs indeed true that the Otonal at Japanese Nationals was good and Skate Canadaโs Origin was good but, after all, I was thinking that I could not perfect them as my own performance. Because the ideal was that hard to reach. That โidealโ was probably not me, but I think that of Plushenko-san and Johnny-sanโs shadows*. Therefore, when I thought of it, this was not my skating and thought this once more when performing Seimei during Medallist on Ice. When I skated Seimei…well, itโs not really about a cover and original song but I really felt a difference similar to that within myself. Truthfully, Seimei and Ballade No. 1 are kids who, as legend-like records** to be passed down, so if I had been able to, I wanted to let them sleep. But, even so, during Medallist on Ice, when I borrowed their power – and maybe it was because of my mentality at the time – I thought I was able to be myself to a staggering degree. So, yes, for a little while longer, I thought it was okay to borrow the power of these kids, yes.
*literally he says their โbacksโ were the ideal, essentially the โbacksโ who he was chasing after or their idealised image in his head, but Iโve taken the liberty to use a more common English expression.
**he uses ใใพใฃใฆใใ which is a suffix usually used to denote something thatโs not ideal/good – here it’s attached to ่จ้ฒใๆใฃใฆใใพใฃใฆใใ – holding the records. Our interpretation is that he’s saying it’s almost a bad thing that they have those records because it gives these programs a particular weight because of their ‘legendary’ reputation that he doesn’t want to risk/harm by performing them again.
Q: Whatโs the degree of completion for your 4A, will you fight with it at the World Championships?
A: U~mโฆ well, if I canโt jump it then I cannot put it in, though I’ll do it if I can. I think I was indeed able to practice it during this month-long period. I havenโt landed it, but somehow or another, I think its condition/shape has gotten better.
A beautiful and powerful melody sounded somewhere around Tokyo. Chopin Ballade No. 1. The performer is Ms. Kanon Matsuda. Moving to Moscow at the age of 6, she is the most noted young pianist who has studied at the Moscow Conservatory since 2014 as the first Japanese to receive the Russian government special scholarship.
Off to the side, behind Ms. Matsuda, a young man leans, with closed eyes, sometimes following the rhythm of the music with his body. The man is Yuzuru Hanyu, a figure skater who performs to this song for his short program in the 2017-2018 season.
It was a breathtaking performance for all who witnessed it. After the performance, when Ms. Matsuda got up and bowed to Hanyu, he asked the cameraman to stop filming.
Hanyu wiped the sweat off his neck with a handkerchief, took a sip of his drink and took a breath. Then he returned to Ms. Matsuda. Art and sports: the two young talents began to discuss “expression”.
H: Yuzuru Hanyu, M: Kanon Matsuda
๏ผไบบใซใจใฃใฆใใทใงใใณใใใฉใผใ็ฌฌ๏ผ็ชใใจใฏ๏ผ For these two, what is Chopin's Ballade No. 1?
็พฝ็:็ด ๆดใใใๆผๅฅใงใใใใใใใใใขใใงๆปใฃใฆใฟใใใชใฃใฆๆใใใใใชใ
H:It was a wonderful performance. I'd like to skate to such piano music.
ๆพ็ฐ:ใใใใจใใใใใพใใ
M:Thank you very much!
็พฝ็:ใใฎใทใงใใณใฎใใใฉใผใ็ฌฌ๏ผ็ชใใซใฏใฉใใชๆใๅ ฅใใใใใพใใ๏ผ
H: What does Ballade No. 1 mean to you?
Kanon Matsuda
ๆพ็ฐ: ็งใฎๅบ่บซๅฐใงใใ้ฆๅท็ใง้ๅฌใใใใชใตใคใฟใซใงๆผๅฅใใพใใใใใฎๅพใซใใใฅใผ๏ผฃ๏ผค๏ผใๆพ็ฐ่ฏ้ณใใใฅใผใปใชใตใคใฟใซใ๏ผใซๅ้ฒใใใใใจใๆฑบใพใฃใใฎใงใๆใๅบใฎๆฒใงใใ
M: I played this song at a recital in Kagawa Prefecture, where I'm from. After that, it was decided that it would be included in my debut CD (Matsuda Kanon Debut Recital). So, it is a good memory for me.
็พฝ็:ๅฎใฏใใฎ๏ผฃ๏ผคใใๆจๆฅใใผใฃใจ่ดใใใฆใใใ ใใฆใใใใงใใ
H: Actually, I was listening to that CD all day yesterday.
ๆพ็ฐ:ใใใชใใงใใ๏ผใใใใใจใใใใใพใใ
M: Really? I'm so happy to hear that!
็พฝ็:ๆพ็ฐใใใฏๆฅฝๆฒใ็ฉ่ชใฎใใใซ่งฃ้ใใฆใใใจใ่ใใใพใใใใใใฎๆฒใซใฏใฉใใช็ฉ่ชใใใใพใใ๏ผ
H: I heard that you interpret songs like stories. What kind of story do you think this song has?
ๆพ็ฐ: ๆฏๅ้ใฃใ็ฉ่ชใ่ใใใใใซใใฆใใใใงใใใใฉใไปๅใฏใดใผใซใบใฏใผใธใผใฎๅฐ่ชฌใใใฉใผใตใคใๅฎถ็ฉ่ชใใซๅบใฆใใใฝใผใ ใบใจใคใฌใณ๏ผใขใคใชใผใณ๏ผใฎ้ขไฟใใฝใผใ ใบใใคใฌใณใๆณใๆฐๆใกใ้ณๆฅฝใซใใฆใฟใใใใชใฃใฆ่ใใฆใฟใใใงใใ
M: I try to think of different stories each time. But this time, I was trying to think about the relationship between Soames and Irene in the Forsyte Saga by Galsworthy, and try to include Soames's feelings for Irene in the music.
็พฝ็:ใใใใชใใๆฌใใใ่ชญใพใใใใงใใญใ
H: Wow! That is really impressive! Do you read a lot?
Yuzuru Hanyu x Kanon Matsuda
ๆพ็ฐ:ใฏใใๅฅฝใใชใใงใใ
M: I do. I love reading.
็พฝ็:ๅใซใจใฃใฆใใฎใใใฉใผใ็ฌฌ๏ผ็ชใใฏใใใกใใๆฒใซใคใใฆใๆใๅ ฅใใฏๅผทใใใใใงใใใใฉใใชใใฆ่จใใใ ใใใชใๅฒใจ่ชๅใงใใใใใ่ชๅ่ช่บซใๆฒใจๅๅใงใใใใใซๆใใพใใ
H: For me, about this Ballade No. 1 - of course, I have strong feelings. How can I explain: I can be myself. I feel like I can assimilate myself into this song.
ๆพ็ฐ: ใชใใปใฉใ
M: I see.
็พฝ็:่ชๅใฎไธญใงใใใใไผใใใใใใใใไผใใใใใฃใฆๆผๆใใๅใใๆใฃใฆใใใใใใใชใใฆใใใฃใฆใๆไธญใซไฝใใๅบๆฅไธใใฃใฆใใใ
H: I don't own it before I perform it, like "I want to express this" or "I want to express that". Within myself, something is being completed while I'm actually performing it.
ๆพ็ฐ:็ด ๆดใใใใ
M: That's amazing!
็พฝ็:ๆพ็ฐใใใฎๆผๅฅใใฆใใๅงฟใ่ฆใฆๆใฃใใฎใฏใๅใฎๅ ฅใๆนใจใๆฏใฎๆใๆนใจใๅผๅธใจใใใใใๅคงไบใซใใฆใใใชใใฃใฆใในใฑใผใใๆปใฃใฆใใๆ่ฆใจไผผใฆใใใฎใใชใฃใฆๆใใพใใใใงใใใๆผๅฅใ่ดใใฆใใใใใใใฎใไฝใใชใใกใใใใชใใใ ใชใใจใๅญฆใฐใใฆใใใ ใใพใใใ
H: When I watched you perform, I thought that you place importance on the way you exert force, breathing out and breathing in. Maybe that is similar to the feeling of skating. So, listening to your performance, Iโve learned that I have to do something like that, too.
Yuzuru Hanyu
ๆพ็ฐ:ใใใๅฌใใใงใใใใใใจใใใใใพใใ็งใฏใขในใฏใฏใฎ่ชๅฎ ใฎใใฌใใงใฝใใชใชใณใใใฏใใใฃใจ่ฆใฆใใพใใใใใฃใฎใฅใขในใฑใผใใฏไปใฎในใใผใใจ้ใฃใฆใ้ณๆฅฝใ่ดใใฆๆใใใใฎใใใใซไฝใง่กจ็พใใ่ธ่ก็ใช็ซถๆใงใใใญใ็พฝ็้ธๆใฎใน
ใฑใผใใใใฏๆ ็ฑใจใใใใใจใใซใฎใผใใใใไผใใฃใฆใใพใใ
M: I'm so happy to hear that. Thank you very much. I watched the Sochi Olympics on TV at home in Moscow. Unlike other sports, figure skating is an artistic competition that further expresses what you feel listening to music. From your skating, I feel passion and a lot of energy is transmitted.
ๆผๅฅใปๆผๆใ้ใใฆ่ฆณๅฎขใซไผใใใใใจWhat do you wish to convey to the audience through your performances?
็พฝ็:ๅ ใปใฉใๆฏๅ้ใฃใ็ฉ่ชใ่ใใใใจใใฃใใใใพใใใใใใใฏๅใๆฒใงใๆผๅฅใฎใใณใซ้ใใจใใใใจ๏ผ
H: As you mentioned earlier, "to think of a different story each time". But does it mean that you do so each time you perform, even for the same song?
ๆพ็ฐ:ใใใๅใใใจใ่ใใใใจๆใฃใฆใใใชใใชใใงใใชใใงใใใใ้จใ้ใฃใฆใใใใใใ้จใใใใชใใฃใฆใกใใฃใจๆฒใใๆฐๆใกใงๅผพใใฆใฟใใใใพใใฏๅธๆใๆใใๆฐๆใกใงๅผพใใฆใฟใใใ
M: Yes. Even if I try to think the same as before, I can't do it easily. If it's raining: "Oh, it's rainy" and I try to play with a slightly sad feeling, or try to play with the feeling of hope.
็พฝ็:ในใใผใธใซๅ ฅใๅใใ็ฉ่ชใๆฑบใใฆใใใใงใใ๏ผ
H: Do you decide on the story before going onstage?
ๆพ็ฐ:ใฏใใๅ จไฝใฏๆฑบใใฆใใพใใใใ ใใใใญใฃใฉใฏใฟใผใใฏใฃใใๅบใใใๅ ดๆใ ใใฏใในใใผใธใซไธใใ็ดๅใพใง้ ญใฎไธญใงใฐใซใฐใซใฐใซใฐใซใจ่ใใฆใใใใจใใใใพใใญใ
M: Yes. I decide it vaguely. However, if there's a character I clearly want to convey, I go over and over it in my head until just before I go onstage.
็พฝ็:ใงใใใขใใฎใฏใฉใทใใฏใฃใฆ็ตๆงใญใฃใฉใๆฑบใพใฃใฆใชใใใจใๅคใใใใชใใงใใใใใฎๆฅใฎๅคฉๆฐใจใไผๅ ดใฎ้ฐๅฒๆฐใจใ๏ผใฎๅฝฑ้ฟใ๏ผใใใใใใพใใใญใ
H: But there are many cases where classical piano music doesn't have a concrete character. There is a lot of influence from the outside weather or the atmosphere in the venue, isn't there?
็พฝ็:ใใใใไบบ้ๆงใฟใใใชใใฎใไปใพใง็ต้จใใฆใใใใจใจใใไปใฎ่ชๅใฎๆใใฎ่ๆฏใจใใใใใใใใฎใๆพ็ฐใใใฏ่กจ็พใใใฆใใใใ ใชใใฃใฆๆใใพใใใ
H: I thought that you are expressing things such as human nature, things that you've experienced so far and the background of your current thoughts .
ๆพ็ฐ:ใใฃใฎใฅใขในใฑใผใใฏใฉใใชใใงใใ๏ผ
M: How is it in figure skating?
็พฝ็:้ณใๅบใใฆใใๆ่ฆใซ่ฟใใฎใใชใฃใฆๆใใพใใใใกใใๆฒใฏใงใใฆใใใใใ็กใใ่ชๅใงไฝใๅบใใใฎใใใชใใงใใใฉใใงใๅใฏใใใฎไบบใๆฒใซๅใใใฆๆปใฃใฆใใฎใจใฏ้ใใใ ใใจใใใใจใๆใใฆใใใใใใชใจๆใฃใฆใใใใงใใ
H: I think it's close to the sensation of producing sounds. Of course, the song exists already, it is not something you create yourself, but I hope people will feel: "This person is not just skating along with the song".
Yuzuru Hanyu
ๆพ็ฐ:ใใใใใใ่ชๅ่ช่บซใงๆๅณใใไธๆญฉไธๆญฉใซๆๅณใๅ ฅใใใฃใฆใใๆใใงใใ๏ผ
M: I see. I see. You mean putting your own meaning into the song?
Something like putting meaning into every step?
็พฝ็:ๅ ฅใใใจใใใใใใชใใใๅ ฅใฃใฆใใๆใใ่ดใใฆใใไบบใ่ฆใฆใใไบบใใใใใฆๆปใฃใฆใใ่ชๅใใ็ตๅฑใฟใใช้ใ้ๅปใ้ใ็ต้จใใใใจๆใใใงใใไพใใฐๆฒใใๆฒใงใใ่ชๅ่ช่บซใฎ่ฟใใซๆฒใใใใจใใใฃใใใใใๆฒใใใชใใใ็ดๅใซๆฅฝใใใใจใใใฃใฆใฆใญใฆใญใใ็ถๆ ใ ใฃใใๆใๆนใ้ใใจๆใใใๆฒใใฟใฎๅพใซใใฃใฆใใๅธๆใฎใใใชใใฎใ่ฆใใใใใใใจใใใใใใใใชใใใๅใฏใใใใใฎใใใใๅคงไบใซใใใใชใฃใฆๆใฃใฆใใฆใใ ใใ่ชๅใฎไผใใใใใจใฏใใใใใใใใใฉใ่ฆใฆใใๆนใใใใใซใไฝใใใไผใใฃใฆใใใฐใใใชใใใฃใฆๆใฃใฆใใพใใ
H: Instead of "putting", it's more like "entering". Everyone who's listening and watching, and even me whoโs skating, all have different pasts, different experiences. For example, a sad song -if you experienced something sad recently, will make you feel extremely sad,but if you've just had fun and are feeling excited, the way you feel it will be different. You may be able to see something like hope comes after sorrow. I really want to pay attention to those kind of things. There are many things I want to convey, but I want to convey a different "something" to every person watching.
ๆพ็ฐใใใฎๆ่ฆใ็ด ๆดใใใใจๆใใพใใ
M: I think that sense you have is wonderful.
Yuzuru HanyuYuzuru Hanyu x Kanon Matsuda
ๆฅฝๆฒใซๅฏพใใฆๆ ็ฑใๆณจใใใใๆทฑใฟใ่ฟฝๆฑใงใใใ
Do you embrace passion in music or pursue depth?ๆพ็ฐ:็พฝ็้ธๆใฏ็พใใใ่กจ็พๅใซใคใใฆใใฉใฎใใใซใ่ใใงใใ๏ผ
M: What do you think about beauty and the ability to express it?
็พฝ็:ใใฃใฎใฅใขในใฑใผใใฏๆ่ก็ใชใใจใใใใ็ฎ็ซใค็ซถๆใงใใใฌใใซใฎ้ซใใใญใฐใฉใ ใงใใธใฃใณใใชใฉใใในใฆใใใใซๆฑบใใใใใฐใใใใ็ฉถๆฅตใ
H: Figure skating is explicitly technical. The ultimate goal is to land all your jump and other elements cleanly in a high-level program.
ใใฎไธญใงใใใใใไผใใใใใใใใไผใใใใใจใใใใใใจใใใกใใใกใใซใชใฃใกใใฃใฆใในใๅขใใฆใๆ็ต็ใซไผใใใชใใใจใๅคใใใชใจๆใใพใใ่ชๅใฎๆฐๆใกใ ใฃใฆใใกใใใกใใซใชใฃใกใใใใ
Within that framework, if you think too much about "Let's tell this" or "Let's tell that", you will mess up, make more mistakes and, in my opinion, end up not conveying what you want. And it messes up my feelings, too.
ๆพ็ฐใใใฏๆใใฉใใใซใใใชใๆใฃใฆใฉใใใพใใ๏ผ
How about you? What do you do when the situation doesnโt line up with your expectations?
Yuzuru Hanyu
ๆพ็ฐ:ใณใณใตใผใใๆผๅฅไผใงๅผพใใฆใใฆใใใใๆใใฉใใใซใใใชใใฃใใชใใจใใใใจใฏๅฟ ใใใใพใใใงใ็งใฏใใฃใฑใใ้ณใๅบใ้ณใฎใใจใ่ใใชใใจใใใชใใฎใงใๆ่กใใๆฒใฎใคใกใผใธใใไผใใใใกใใปใผใธใ่ใใฆใใพใใ
M: There's no doubt that "Things did not go as I expected" moments happen during concerts and recitals. But, for me, the sound is the ultimate. I have to consider the quality of the sound, so I think more about the images of the songs and the messages I would like to give rather than the technical aspects.
็พฝ็:ไพใใฐใๆผๅฅ้ไธญใง้ณใ๏ผๅ้ฃใใ ใใใฆใใใใฎๅ ดใงๅฎๅ จใซๅฟใๅปใฃใฆใใใงใใ๏ผ
H: For example, even if one note eludes you while you are playing, do you completely forget about it after that moment?
ๆพ็ฐ:ๅฟใๅปใฃใฆใพใใญ๏ผ็ฌ๏ผใใทใฃใใใขใฆใใใชใใจใพใๅใใใจใ็นฐใ่ฟใๅฏ่ฝๆงใใใฃใใใ้ณๆฅฝใๆญขใพใฃใฆใใพใฃใใโฆโฆใ
M: Yes, it completely disappears after that moment! [laughs]
If you don't shut out that mistake, you could make the same mistake again, and then the music itself would stop.
ใคใกใผใธใใในใใผใชใผใ็ถใใฆใใใชใใจๆฒใ็ถใใฆใใใชใใฎใงใใในใฎใใจใฏๅฟใใพใใๅฎ้ใๆผๅฅใใๅพใไปๆฅ้้ใฃใฆใใใญใใฃใฆ่จใใใฆใใใใใ ใฃใใฃใ๏ผใใฃใฆๆใใใจใใใใพใใ
You need to keep playing the images and stories, otherwise, the song doesn't continue. So, I sweep away the mistakes.
And, in fact, if someone points it out - "You made mistakes today, didn't you?", there are times I wonder, "Did I?"
็พฝ็:ๅใใธใฃใณใใจใใงใในใฃใใใจใๅฟใใฆใๆใ็ตๆงใใใพใใ
H: Yeah, there are also times when I forget mistakes in my jumps, etc.
Kanon Matsuda x Yuzuru Hanyu
ๆพ็ฐ:็พฝ็้ธๆใฏใๆฒ้ธใณใฏใฉใใชใใฃใฆใใใงใใ๏ผ
M: How do you choose the songs for your programs?
็พฝ็:ใใชใผใซ้ขใใฆใฏใๆ่ฟ๏ผใ๏ผๅนดใฏ่ชๅใง้ธๆฒใใฆใใพใใใใฎๅบๆบใฏ่ชๅใใใฎใใญใฐใฉใ ใซๅฏพใใฆใฉใใ ใ่ๅณใๆใฃใฆใใใใใใฎๆฒใ ใใง๏ผๅนด๏ผๅนดใใใๆปใใชใใใใใชใใฆใๆฏๆฅๆปใฃใฆใใใใใใฃใฑใ่ใ้ฃฝใใฆใใใใใใกใใใๆ ็ฑใๆณจใใใๆณจใใชใใใฃใฆใใใๅคงใใใใงใใ
H: For my free skate, I've chosen the songs myself for the past 5-6 years.The standard I follow is how much interest I have in the program. I'll be skating that program everyday for a year or two, so there will definitely be times that I'll get tired of listening to the song. It is a huge deal whether I can be passionate about the song or not.
ใ ใใโๆทฑใฟโใใชใใจ่ฟฝๆฑใใใใชใใใงใใใฃใฎใฅใขในใฑใผใใฎๅ ดๅใๆฒใ้ฃใใใใใจใ่ฆใฆใใๆนใ ใฏใใใ้ฃใใใชใใง็ตใใฃใกใใใ
So, you can't pursue a song without "depth". But, in the case of figure skating, if the song is too difficult, people watching will end up thinking, "Oh, itโs difficult."
ๆพ็ฐ:ใใใใใใใใใใงใใญใ
M: I understand what you're saying.
็พฝ็:ใ ใใใใใฏใใใๆณจๆใใพใใใฉใใใๆฒใใฟใชใใใซไผใใใใใใฎใใ่ชๅใฎไผใใใใจๆใใใใฎใไผใใใใ
H: That's why I pay a lot of attention to what kind of songs are easy to convey to people and easy for me to use to express what I want to express.
ๆพ็ฐ:ใใใใงใใใงใ้ฃใใใ็งใฎๅ ดๅใชใตใคใฟใซใ ใจ๏ผๆ้ๅๅผพใใฆใชใใใฐใชใใชใใฎใงใไฝๅใๆใคใใฉใใใ่จ็ฎใใฆใใใฃใใใชๆฒใฐใฃใใใ ใจไฝๅ็ใซใฏๆฅฝใงใใใ่ดใใฆใใไบบใฏใคใพใใชใใใใชใใงใใใ
M: Amazing! But that is a difficult thing. In my case, I have to play for an hour and a half for a recital, so I also have to calculate whether I'll have the physical strength or not. Physically, it's easier for me to only play slow music, but the people listening will get bored of that, right?
ๆฏใใใใใใใๅคขใซๅใใฃใฆใใใฐใใ
Because of the support, we can try our best to achieve our dreams.็พฝ็:ๆพ็ฐใใใฏ๏ผๆญณใใใขในใฏใฏใงใใขใใๅญฆใใงใใฆใไปใฏใญใทใขๆฟๅบใฎ็นๅฅๅฅจๅญฆ็ใจใใฆใขในใฏใฏ้ณๆฅฝ้ขใซๅจ็ฑใใฆใใใใงใใใญใ
H: You have studied piano in Moscow since you were 6 years old and now you're enrolled in the Moscow Conservatory as a special scholar of the Russian government, right?
ใญใทใขใฎ่ธ่กใฎๅ้ใฏใ่ฅใๆ่ฝใ่ฒใฆใๆๅใฟใใใชใใฎใใใใใงใใใ
Does the Russian art sector cultivate young talent?
ๆพ็ฐ:ใฏใใใญใทใขใฏ่ธ่กใๆฏใใไป็ตใฟใใใฃใใใใฆใใใจๆใใพใใ
M: Yes. And I think Russia has a solid support mechanism for the arts.
็งใๅๆฅญใใใฐใใผใทใณ้ณๆฅฝๅญฆๆ กใฏใๅบๆฌ็ใซใฏๅ จๅกใๅญฆ่ฒปใๅ จ้กๅ ้คใงใใใใใ ใใๅธธใซๅณใใ่ฉฆ้จใใใฃใฆใๅบๆบใซใตใใใใใชใไบบใฏ็ฟๅนดใใๅญฆ่ฒปใใใใฃใใใๅๆ ผ็นใใจใใชใใจ้ๅญฆๅฆๅใซใชใฃใใใใพใใ
Basically, at the music school from which I graduated, all students are exempt from tuition.
However, there are strict exams. Those who don't meet the standards will be charged tuition the following year or will be expelled unless they can pass.
ๅณใใใงใใใใใใใใทในใใ ใฏ็ด ๆดใใใใจๆใใพใใ็พๅจใฎใขในใฏใฏ้ณๆฅฝ้ขใฏใใญใทใขไบบใฎใใใ40ไบบใฏๅญฆ่ฒปใๅ จ้กๅ ้คใงใใ็งใฏๅคๅฝไบบๆ ใงใชใ็พๅฐใญใทใขไบบใจๅใ่ฉฆ้จใๅใใฆๆฟๅบ็นๅฅๅฅจๅญฆ็ใซ้ธใใงใใใ ใใพใใใ
It's tough, but I think the system's great. Currently, at the Moscow Conservatory, the top 40 Russian students are exempt from tuition fees.
I took the same exams as the local Russians, unlike foreigners, and was selected to be a special government scholar.
็พฝ็:ใใใใงใใญใๅใJSCใใใใขในใชใผใใจใใฆใในใใผใใใ๏ผtotoใปBIG)ใฎๅ็ใซใใๅฉๆใซใใๆฏใใใใฆใใพใใ
H: That's so impressive! I'm also supported by subsidies sponsored by the revenue of a sports lottery (toto BIG) as a JSC top athlete.
ในใฑใผใใฏใใใใ้ใฎใใใในใใผใใชใฎใงใใใฎใใใชๅฉๆใฎไป็ตใฟใใใใฆใใใใใฎใใกใณใฎๅฟๆดใซๅใใใใใชใใๅคขใซๅใใฃใฆใใใฐใฃใฆใใพใใ
Skating is a very costly sport, so with this subsidy mechanism and the power gained through the support of my fans, I'm striving towards my dreams.
ๆพ็ฐ:็งใ็ใใใซๆฏใใฆ้ ใใฆใใใใจใซๆ่ฌใใชใใใใใใใใใใใฐใฃใฆใใใใจๆใใพใใ
M: I'm grateful to everyone for supporting me. I think I will try my best in the future as well.
ไธใคใฒใจใคใฎๅใใ้ณใๅ จใฆใซๆๅณใใใใ
Each movement, a sound. Adding meaning to everything็พฝ็:ๆพ็ฐใใใฏ6ๆญณใใใใฃใจใขในใฏใฏใงๆฎใใใฆใใใงใใใญใ็พๅฐใงใฎในใฑใผใไบบๆฐใฏใฉใใงใใ๏ผ
H: You've been living in Moscow since you were 6 years old, haven't you? How is the popularity of skating there?
ๆพ็ฐ:ใฏใใๅคงไบบๆฐใงใใใขในใฏใฏๅธๅ ใซใฏในใฑใผใใชใณใฏใใใใใใใฃใฆใ่ตคใฎๅบๅ ดใๅฌใซใฏใชใณใฏใใงใใพใใ
M: I have. Figure skating is very popular.
There are many skating rinks in Moscow. Thereโs a rink at Red Square in the winter as well.
ใงใใใ้ธๆใๅฟๆดใใใฎใฏใใกใใใๅคงๅขใฎๅธๆฐใๆฅๅธธ็ใซในใฑใผใใๆฅฝใใ็ฐๅขใซใใใพใใ
So it's an environment where many citizens enjoy skating on a daily basis, as well as supporting skaters.
็งใๆใ ใๆปใใใใใจ่ชใใใใใงใใใใฑใฌใใใใจๆผๅฅใซๅฝฑ้ฟใๅบใใฎใงใใฃใใใจใฏใชใใใงใใใฉใ
I've also been asked, "Let's go skate", but, if I get injured, my performance will be affected, so I've never gone skating unfortunately.
็พฝ็:ๅใฏใญใทใขใฎๆฏไปๅธซใฎๆนใซใๆใใฃใใใจใใใใใงใใใใฎๆใซๆใใฃใใฎใฏใใกใชใใชใ ใฃใใๅๅผทใใ ใฃใใใๅผๅธใฎไฝฟใๆนใไฝใฎๅใใๆนใจใใชใใงใใ
H: I've been taught by Russian choreographers in the past. What I was taught was sharpness and power, as well as how to use breathing, how to move my body, things like that.
ใใใฆไปๆฅใๆพ็ฐใใใฎๆผๅฅใซใใใใใใใๅบใฆใใฆใๅ ฑๆใใใจใใใใใใพใใใๆพ็ฐใใใซใจใฃใฆใใญใทใขใงๅนใฃใฆใใฆใใใใไธ็ชใใใซใชใฃใใใจใใใใฎใฏไฝใงใใ๏ผ
And today, I got the same sense from your performance. I felt empathy.
What was the most beneficial thing youโve cultivated in Russia?
ๆพ็ฐ:ใฐใใผใทใณ้ณๆฅฝๅญฆๆ กใฎใจใฌใผใใปใคใฏใใผใฏๅ ็ใใ12ๅนด้ๅญฆใใงใใ็งใซใใผใฃใจ่จใฃใฆใใ ใใฃใฆใใใใจใใใใพใใ
M: Professor Elena Ivanova of the Gnessin Academy of Music has spoken with me for the last 12 years I've been studying.
ใใใฏใ็ตถๅฏพใซๆๅณใฎใชใ้ณใๅผพใใใใใชใใใจใใใใจใงใใๅฟ ใไธ้ณไธ้ณใซๆๅณใไฝใใชใใใจใใใฌใผใบใซ่จ่ใใคใใใในใใผใชใผใ่ใใใใใใฎใใใซใฏใใฎๆฌใ่ชญใฟใชใใใใใฎๆ ็ปใ่ฆใชใใใใใฎ็ตตใ่ฆใชใใใฃใฆใ
[How can you embrace passion in music or pursue depth?]
"Never play sounds that are meaningless." Be sure to create meaning in every sound.
She told me to practice thinking of words or to create stories to the phrases. Sheโd tell me to read this book, watch this movie, look at this picture - stuff like that, in order to do so.
็พฝ็:ใใผใใใชใใปใฉใๅๅผทใซใชใใพใใ
H: I see. Interesting. I've learned something.
ๆพ็ฐ:ๅ ็ใๆใใฆใใ ใใฃใใฎใฏใไฝใฎไฝฟใๆนใใงใใญใ็งใฏๆฎ้ใฎใใขใในใใฎๆนใซๆฏในใฆๆใๅฐใใใฆ่ ใ็ดฐใใชใฎใงใใฉใใใฃใฆๅใๅ ฅใใใใฉใใช้ณใๅบใใใจใใใฉใใงๅใๆใใใจใใใใใใใใจใใ
M: She also taught me how to use my body. I have smaller hands and thinner arms than most pianists, so how much power to put in, what kind of sound comes out when I do so, where to draw power from. She taught me such things.
็พฝ็:ๅใใฎ็ซถๆใไฝใฎ็นๅพดใใใใๅฝฑ้ฟใใพใใ
H: The characteristics of our bodies also have a great influence in figure skating.
ในใฟใคใซใ่บซ้ทใๆ่ถณใฎ้ทใใๅใใญใทใขใฎๅ ็ใซๆใใฃใๆใซใใใชใใฏใใฃใใๆ่ถณใ้ทใใใ ใใใใใฃใจไฝฟใใชใใใใจใใใใใๅ ทไฝ็ใชใใจใๆใใฆใใใใใใจใใใใใใฆๆใๅบใใพใใใ
Style, height, length of limbs. When I was taught by a Russian teacher, I was told, "Because you have long limbs, utilize them more." Iโm once again reminded of that specific advice.
ๅฎใฏไปใทใผใบใณใใใชใผใใญใฐใฉใ ใงใSEIMEIใ๏ผๆ ็ปใ้ฐ้ฝๅธซใใตใฆใณใใใฉใใฏใใ๏ผใจใใๆฒใไฝฟ็จใใใใงใใใฉใใใฎใใญใฐใฉใ ใงใไธใคใฒใจใคใฎๆฏใใๅ็ดใชๅบๆฌๅไฝใซใๆๅณใใใใใชใใใฃใฆใใใ่จใใใฆใใพใใไปๆฅใฏๆพ็ฐใใใจใ่ฉฑใใใฆใๅ ฑ้ใใ้จๅใใใใใใใใชใใฃใฆๆใใพใใใ
And, actually, this season, I'm using a song Seimei (from the soundtrack of the movie "Onmyoji") in the free program, but even in this program, my choreographer told me that I need to make sure that every single movement , every simple action has meaning.
Today, I talked with you and realized that we have a lot in common.
ๆฐใใชในใใผใธใใใใใใใใใใฎ้
Aiming for a new stage, on each different path็พฝ็:ๆพ็ฐใใใฎไปๅพใฎ็ฎๆจใไบๅฎใๆใใฆใใ ใใใ
H: Could you tell me your goals and plans?
ๆพ็ฐ:2017ๅนด6ๆใซ2ๆ็ฎใฎใขใซใใ ใใ ใฝใซใฐในใญใผ:ๅฑ่ฆงไผใฎ็ตตใใใชใชใผในใใใพใใใ็งใใใฏใใฎใขใซใใ ใฎใชใตใคใฟใซใใใใใใใใฎใงใใฟใชใใพใซๅใใงใใใ ใใๆผๅฅใใงใใใใใใใฐใฃใฆใใใใใจๆใใพใใ
M: In June 2017, my second album, "Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition" was released. Since autumn, there have been a lot of recitals for that album. So, I'd like to do my best to play with pleasure for everyone.
ใใฎใขใซใใ ใฎ8ๆฒ็ฎใซใใใผใญใฅใทใชใ๏ผใใญใกใชใจใธใฅใชใจใใใใใ10ใฎๅฐๅ ไฝๅ75:็ฌฌ8ๆฒ๏ผใจใใๆฒใๅ้ฒใใใฆใใใฎใงใใใใใฎๆฒใ็พฝ็้ธๆใในใฑใผใใงๆปใฃใใใฉใใชใตใใซใชใใใ ใใใชใจใๅไบบ็ใซใใใชใใจใๆณๅใใฆใใพใใ
The 8th song on the album is "Mercutio" (from "Romeo and Juliet"). Personally, Iโm imagining and wonder how itโd be if you skated to that song.
็พฝ็:่ดใใซ่กใใใใงใใญใผใใทใผใบใณไธญใใชใผ๏ผ็ฌ๏ผใ
H: I'd love to go to a recital to listen to that song. I wonder if itโll be the middle of the skating season. [laughs]
ๆพ็ฐ:็พฝ็้ธๆใฏๅนณๆใชใชใณใใใฏใๆงใใฆใใพใใใๆๆฐ่พผใฟใ่ใใใฆใใ ใใใ
M: The Pyeongchang Olympics are coming. Please tell me about your enthusiasm.
็พฝ็:ใชใชใณใใใฏใซๅใใฆ่ชๅใฎไฝ่ชฟ็ฎก็ใจใใใใฃใใใใใใใงใใญใใใจใฏใฑใฌใใคใใใฎใฎในใใผใใชใฎใงใใจใซใใใฑใฌใซๆฐใใคใใฆใๆฏๆฅ็ทด็ฟใใใใฐใฃใฆใใใใใใใชใฃใฆใใใฎใไปใฎๆฐๆใกใงใใ
H: I want to properly manage my physical condition and such for the Olympics. Also, since injury is inherent in sports, I need to be careful of that hope that I can do my best every day. Thatโs my current feeling.
ๆพ็ฐ:ใใใฐใฃใฆใใ ใใใๅฟๆดใใฆใใพใใ
M: Please do your best! Iโm rooting for you!
Axel with Wings 