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I did my best to translate the two songs I heard on Jun's radio show:3 Sirius and Move Your Body!^^

Now, the quality of the songs was pretty good this time, but there were still a couple words I couldn't quite catch, so I put asterisks around them. I'll fix it when I get lyric sheets, but this is fairly accurate I feel sure^^ First, Sirius:

Such a sweet little song, very light and airy somehow. I love Jun's solo~<3 It reminds me a little of snowflake because of the white imagery, but I like that it has the name of a star:3 I like it, but I can't say I love it yet...it's kind of a comfortable song for me I guess, but that's okay for now^^ Next, Move Your Body:

This one really reminds me of Lucky Man! I love the rhythym and the energy, it really makes me want to dance, and it's got a nice edge to it that we haven't seen in awhile<3 And Sho's rap was almost entirely comprehensible, a nice bonusXDD But the imagery is perfect, it perfectly conjures the dance scene and the emotions therein....X3 Ah~, wish I could go dancing right nowXD This will be so awesome in concert, they need to announce more dates!>_<
Well, hope you liked the songs as much as I did^^ I'm going to go try and watch a movie to relax, forget about the paper for the rest of the night;P Thanks for being so supportive and tolerant of my inability to get things done lately...>_< Have a great week and shoot for the stars!:D

夢みていたかな。。。ここまでのことは全部夢のような感じがしますからさ。本当だったのかは今判断できない。。。考えない方がいいかも。

Last week on his radio show Jun taunted us by saying that he might play the new single this week...but then he said he might try and draw it out for another 3 weeksXDD Needless to say his DoS side was a thrill, but I had suspicion he would follow through on it, and this week he actually did play the new single, in really high quality!^^ So, of course, I had to sit down and translate it<3 I fell in love with Step and Go the instant I heard it, and Fuyu wo Dakishimete is catchy and cute...butStep and Go is definitely my favorite:3 Oh, and he talked about the PV: he said they filmed it with a high-speed camera which actually slows things down, so a 7 second segment actually takes 3 minutes. So things that you would think look interesting appear rather boring, and vice versa...they had wind effects as well that he thought were really interesting. He said it suits the song, and I'm really looking forward to seeing it^^
Anyways, a few caveats: I did my best, but despite the high quality there were still parts that I couldn't quite catch (like Sho's rap...I'm getting better, but darn he's fast;P) I will make changes, if needed (and there wouldn't be a lot) when I get my lyric sheets:) But, I really wanted to share them as soon as possible, rough as they may be>_< Enjoy~

First, Fuyu wo Dakishimete (Embracing Winter Tightly)

So upbeat and yet very sweet (my favorite favorite part is where it says 'I don't want even a mm distance<3<3') And it really does a good job of painting the picture of a snowy winter night, glowing orange lights and throngs of bundled-up people, snowflakes fluttering down and softening the sounds:) That's a date I'd like to have, with a certain someoneX3

Next, Step and Go

I wrote down what I heard from Sho's rap in romaji, but I'm fairly sure it's not quite right cause it doesn't make much sense, which is why I didn't bother trying to translate it.
Putting that aside...this song is full of hope...diffuse, but very warm to me. It makes me want to dance along, and I find myself singing along when I play it now;) Light imagery is used a lot in this one, I wonder if they'll make use of that in the PV too...^^ Moving forward, getting past loneliness...good themes for me right now I think:3 Well, now I'll be waiting impatienytly for my single in the mailXD For now, more listening over and over;P

In other news, Jun said he managed to get through New Year's without getting sick, which I'm very thankful for>_< He said his voice was worn out though, so he slept on New Year's day. Now we know why his voice was so warbly in the performances, they were recording this song all through December according to him^^; Poor baby...>_< I hope he drank lots of that honey and ginger tea he touts (which I was amazed to hear cause I've been drinking that for several years now...it's really good, I highly recommend it!) And the Bambino DVDs come out on January 23rd^^ Alright, I have to stop now...I was going to add some pics but I'm too tired to play with photoshop right nowXDD Take care everyone, let's see where one step forward can take us this week~=)

For those of you who have already celebrated the new year, Happy New Year~!:D May 2008 bring you all the happiness, all the love, and all the waking dreams that you could ever wish for:) For those of you like me who are still a few hours away (and already too excitedXD), let's have some fun~;P *cranks up Lucky Man*

First up on the playbill is the boys' TV Guide article for this week:D

Credit to mori for all the scansXD

Passing Storm, Coming Storm
Holding an urgent Thank-You Party and Group Discussion!
The Triumphant Return Concerts, the first Solo Dome concets, the summer tour, the release of 3 singles and an album...those are the energetic
activities that Arashi completed. Looking back on '07, the members' indiviudal 'thank yous', and Arashi's ambitions for '08 are...?! The Year 2007, from member to member, Arashi's [Thank You]
We're bringing you the individual members' own 'thank you' messages, looking back on '07, in relay format. Arashi's own brand of super 'hot talk' is the
development?!

Ohno Satoshi, '80/11/26, born in Tokyo. Sagittarius. A blood type. In '07 he made a guest appearance on [Yamada Tarou Monogatari] (TBS). Ohchan
says [When I remembered the movies we all used to do back in the day it was really nostalgic].

Sakurai Sho, '82/01/25, born in Tokyo. Aquarius. Blood type A. In '07 he appeared in the House of Council election special [Zero X Election 2007] (JapanTV),
[World Cup Volleyball 2007] (FujiTV). In '09 his movie [Yatterman] will be released.

Ninomiya Kazunari, '83/6/17, born in Tokyo. Gemini. Blood type A. In '07 starred in [Haikei, Chichiue-sama] (FujiTV), and [Marathon] (TBS). His
co-starring with Sakurai Sho in their starring drama [Yamada Tarou Monogatari] (TBS) was much tlaked about.

Aiba Masaki, '83/12/24, born in Chiba. Capricorn. Blood type AB. In the middle of appearing regularly on [Tensai! Shimura Doubutsu-en] (JapanTV).
In '07 he gave a good performance as a youth living in silence in his own second starring play [Wasurarenai Hito].

Matsumoto Jun, '83/8/30, born in Tokyo. Virgo. Blood type A. In '07 he starred in [Bambi~no!] (JapanTV). Trying his hand at period pieces for the
first time in the movie [Kakushi Toride no San Akunin] (release: May 10th, '08). [Hana Yori Dango Final] is planned to be released June 28th.

From Ohno Satoshi (Ohchan) to Sakurai Sho (Sho-kun): [Thanks]
Thank you for Okinawa (laughs). Please give me more stimuli ne
This year I got a vacation and went to Okinawa's Miyakojima, but coicidentally Sho-kun came too. While we were travelling we were sending each
other pictures on our cellphones (laughs). After I'd get an email from Sho-kun saying [This is where I am now] I'd go there, take a pciture, and send
it abck saying [I came here too]. I also coincidentally ran into Sho-kun at the Tenjin Festival before in Osaka ne. Though Sho-chan's that kind of
fated person, I respect him because he's doing things I can't do, like being a news and volleyball caster, I want to run along more swiftly.

From Sakurai Sho (Sho-kun) to Ninomiya Kazunari (Nino): [Thanks]
I get the feeling that it was because Nino was there that the atmosphere on the set was able to be created quickly
'07 was a really full year huh. As an inidividual there were a lot of new things I tried, like the House of Council Special and being a volleyball caster.
Even amid all that I was really there with Nino ne. Because when we were doing [Yamada Tarou Monogatari] it also overlapped with the summer
tour I think that Nino, as the star, had even more of a hard time than me. But because Nino was there the atmosphere on set was able to be created
fairly quickly, it was easier for me too ne. I'm going to work hard so that we can work together again, so when that happens please favor me (laughs).

From Ninomiya Kazunari (Nino) to Aiba Masaki (Aiba-chan): [Thanks]
He's not a person to whom I formalyl say 'arigatou' ...?!
Thank you to Aiba-chan?! It's not that kind of relationship (laughs). Since being with the members is a given, in exhange for not fighting we don't
formalyl show gratitude... Geez, I don't even know what I should be saying 'thank you' for, it's embarrassing. Naturally, after work the two of us go for
dinner and talk on occasion. The subjects at that time? If it was me with my favorite girl I would make sure not to forget it, but with him...it's not
like I'd remember that (laughs).

From Aiba Masaki (Aiba-chan) to Matsumoto Jun (MatsuJun): [Thanks]
I can't really express it, so why don't we go drinking?
It's my intention to be in touch with the feelings of gratitude I have towards the members on a daily basis. Because I love all of them. Because in '07
I had a lot of solo activities like the play when I was back among Arashi again I felt "comfort". That's why I feel this even more. Only, that's just
how I feel, I can't really say it out loud. Even though I'm always saying to MatsuJun 'let's go drinking', it hasn't become reality. Whether it's with
the other members or just the two of us it would be great, so let's go. Under the influence of alcohol I might be able to say it?!

From Matsumoto Jun (MatsuJun) to Ohno Satoshi (Ohchan): [Thanks]
Riidaa's unchanging gentleness is a relief
I wasn't able to be with the other members much in the first half of the year ne. But, to make up for it we had a lot of chances to go eat dinner
all together in the local regions huh. We went to ramen shops, yakiniku restaurants, we had a barbequeue with the staff. When I go to those kind
fo Arashi locations I feel relieved on seeing Riidaa's face. No matter when we meet Riidaa doesn't change, I really calm down when I touch that
gentle atmosphere. Thank you for always letting me feel 'it's Arashi~'!

Urgent Group Discussion
Arashi's Ambitions for 2008
Now that they've looked back on '07 and expressed their 'thank yous', we're holding an urgent group discussion on the Arashi of '08! Arashi's
ambitions are...?!
Sho: I'd like to talk about '08 using the theme of Arashi's ambitions. I'm Sakurai, and I'll be hosting today.Your favor please.
All 4: If you please~! (clap)
Aiba: But, it would be great if we could have a great number of stage performances in '08 as well after all ne.
Jun: '07 was the hightest ever right?
Sho: The guests as well, they came from France, Italy, germany, lots of countries. Nino said it before but we're fairly popular in France anre't we?
Nino: That's right, that's right, we're very popular in Paris.
Sho: Then, should we do Paris in '08? So how many people would gather again?
Nino: ...mm, about 700 people. But 700 people is very popular! I told you it wasn't an overwhelming number, are you snickering at me?
Aiba: We're not (laughs). But they definitely said 700 people? It might be a lie you know.
Nino: ...the cable tv person said it.
Aiba: Uhaha! Is it okay to believe them ne?
Jun: It's not just that person likes Arashi or something?
Nino: That person probably likes us ne (laughs). Riidaa, what do you want to do in '08?
Ohno: I want to constantly be doing live performances after all ne.
Aiba: Are there places you want to do them or something?
Ohno: (thinking) Don't you want to do Koya?
Jun: Ah~, that would be nice ne.
Ohno: Because it was so small and fun at the Kagoshima venue, somewhere smaller.
Sho: We'll get you to do that by yourself.
Ohno: Huh? Don't you all want to do it?
Nino: Well, I'll go with you!
Sho: (laughs). How about you Matsumoto-san?
Jun: I want to do new things with all 5 of us again ne.
Sho: Which means that Matsumoto-kun wants to do a musial in other words.
Jun: No, not a musical.
Aiba: All 5 of us (laughs).
Jun: I haven't said that either?
Nino: It's the same with the musical but, there are people who say they still want to see more even if we just do concerts ne.
Jun: If there weren't we'd break up.
Sho: Can it be that in '08 we're quickly in danger of breaking up?!
Nino: No no no. We'll do concerts as long as everyone says they want to see them.
Sho: That's right ne. So, to end off with, our plans for '08 from Ohno-san, if you please.
Ohno: We'll set up our plans for next year in the first month.
Nino: Hey you, we're doing that right now.
Ohno: That's the first plan.
Nino: Ah, the very first part ne? Which means that next time we'll need a plan for January.
Ohno: Let's having that planning meeting at the very end of '07 and begin thinking of the plan for January there.
Aiba: Which means that right now...?
Ohno: We're setting up our plans, setting them up.
Other 4: (uproariously laughter)
Nino: What a pain~! So, what's the plan's name?
Ohno: 'The Plan'!
Sho: (laughs). Thank you very much!
Jun: Please favor us in '08 as well!
Ohno: (Ending cleanly) Favor us!

I'm extremely happy that I can play Doumyouji again!

[Hana yori Dango] is at it's final at last. [HanaDan] was the first time I did a sequel to a serial drama. Doing it again for 3 months with the same cast was
interesting ne. I remember really looking forward to seeing how much everyone had changed in a year. Since the end of part one we'd each had
various experiences, everyone including myself thought about how to deliberately bring that out in the end result. It's been another year since that
impression of part 2. Although I meet up with people in my private life as well it's a really happy thing to be gathering together with everyone again
and 'making one single creation' ne. I'm already looking forward to the filming from here on! Because I haven't gotten the script yet I don't know
what kind of story it'll turn out to be, but I guess it'll be something that goes along with the flow of part 2. Because this will be the last glimpse, personally
I think it would be great if it were a story where everyone ends up happy. At any rate, since this time the movie feels like a festival I want to have
fun on the set. What do I like about Doumyouji? I guess his silliness (laughs). But I think that Doumyouji's unwavering parts are extremely cool.

At the graduation prom Makino Tsukushi (Inoue Mao) accepted Doumyouji Tsukasa (Matsumoto Jun)'s marriage proposal. At about a yaer after that
Tsukushi gets tangled up in a certain incident. What does Tsukasa do? We can't keep our eyes off the original story movie with the [HanaDan]-like
thrilling love comedy in the fans' eagerly awaited sequel!

Love that last picture<3 And the one where Jun has his scarf wrapped around OhnoX3 Ohno and Sho both were in Okinawa?? How did that happen?XD But that's so cute, like phone pic tag;P (I want to try that someday, I need a better phone...) Sho thanks Nino for making things easier for him, Nino turns around and says he doesn't need to thank Aiba, Aiba says he loves everyone and wants to go drinking with Jun (me too me too!XD), and Jun loves Ohno...<3 And this plan for next year...well, I'll let you watch what happens with that later;P

Second billing goes to TVPia:D

Friendly Arashi's Fun New Year
Happy time spent with Arashi
Without ceasing their variety and drama shows they had 3 hit singles, the release of their movie [Kiiroi Namida], a packed-house first Dome concert,
calling attention on all fronts in '07. A big step to fulfilling ambition! Super idols that are aware of their fans well before their fans are aware of them
- We acknowledge that looking back on the last year doesn't suit Arashi, but what kind of year was the Great Leap Forward '07.
Sho: It was a full year ne? Beginning with the concerts in the new year...we were even able to have 2 Dome concerts that year.
Jun: It was great ne. It's really like, who would have thought that Arashi would be doing the Dome with this kind of timing ne!
Nino: Because even we ourselves didn't think it ne (laughs). Well, it's not like we originally had doing a concert in the Dome as our final goal.
Sho: How about you, Prince Nail Cutter (looking intently at the nail-cutting Aiba).
Aiba: Just wait a bit, I've only got my pinky left (laughs).
Jun: Then go back to your nails.
Aiba: (confused) I mean, we were able to do the Dome twice this year right?
Jun: We just said that!
- How about you Ohchan? Have you been increasingly noticed when you're out in the city.
Ohno: No, conversely I'm remembering the faces of the fans. When I went to a cafe the other day I'd seen the employee somewhere before. I
was like '...ah, this girl came to the concert!'.
As one: He~~?!
Nino: Eh? Did you tell her? Like, 'you came to my concert'.
Ohno: I asked her.
Jun: And then? What did they say?
Ohno: (showing signs of embarrassment) She said 'yes'.
Aiba: Uwa~, amazing! But isn't that flirting?!
Ohno: Flirting.
Aiba: Uhahahaha!
Sho/Jun: What are you doing! (laughs)
Ohno: That was a joke (laughs), but that kind of thing happens a lot.
Aiba: I'm no good. I don't remember that much~!
Sho: I don't know about 'popularity', but I certainly feel like we're being nationally 'recognized' ne. Although I had a lot of regional work in the form
of the volleyball and [Kinminsei SP], I was talked to a lot in the various places.
- You also had a lot of television appearances, but what was particularly memorable?
All 5: What indeed...?
- Though the different colored skinny jeans on [Music Station] were extraordinarily memorable (laughs).
Aiba: Ah~, we get told that a lot ne. The five-colored ones. I was red was I.
Jun: You often get told that (laughs)?
Sho: For me it would be the special with Ehara-san (aired in March, [Ehara Hiroyuki & Arashi, Solving the Worries of the Modern Person! Live
Broadcast SP]). All five of us, live, on top of which during primetime, I think that was a new challenge for us,.
Now we can understand each other even if we don't talk about important feelings
- Right now I'd by all means like to ask anew. What is Arashi's appeal?
Sho: Sleeping lion Satoshi-san, please talk about appeal, sooner than later!
Ohno: ....Arashi ne....
Nino: Arashi ne (complete mimicry).
Ohno: It's harmonious ne.
Nino: It's harmonious ne~.
As one: (laughs).
Sho: It certainly is harmonious, really ne.
Ohno: I don't know about anything else, but Arashi has an unstrained harmonious atmosphere right. Lately I've been thinking how nice that is ne.
Aiba: It's something that never changes ne, really.
- You say it doesn't change, although you appear to get more and more friendly with each other.
Ohno: Yes, we're getting more and more harmonious.
Nino: Wouldn't that be Riidaa's group unifying character coming out after all?!
Aiba: If Ohno-san was someone extremely scary...
Ohno: Everyone might be scared.
Jun: Arashi's appeal huh. In a good sense wouldn't it be how we're all diverse? I think that it's amazing that personalities this diverse are properly
collected into one... (to the reporter) is that no good? Like that.
- No (laughs)! Only, although at a glance you may appear diverse, the effect of everyone fixing their eyes on the one point they must aim for makes
you feel an unparalleled unity.
Sho: Well, we are always together ne~. Although we don't talk like that much lately there's already points where we can understand without having
to talk about it ne.
Aiba: That's right ne!
Sho: Because we're 'connected by the C' ne. (trying to practically apply the lines from the C1000 CM)
As one: ........
- (laughs). It was a lso a year where Sho-kun brought out an unexpected side of himself ne (laughs).
Sho: As a news caster ne? (a little arrogantly)
- No, rather something opposed to that.
Sho: Eh!
Nino: Yeah, I think that's it ne (laughs). But you know, it was just that the world wasn't seeing his funniness. We've been seeing it for a long time.
Aiba: For a time, when [News Zero] was beginning, he tried to restrain himself a little. But he couldn't keep it hidden after all ne.
Nino: I think that this year Sho-kun got even bigger than before.
Arashi's appeal is how they exhibit their true worth when all 5 are together?!
- Well then, conituning on with Arashi's appeal, Arashi's No.1 fan Ninomiya as well!
Sho: Oh, you're a fan? I'll sign something for you. (beginning of small act)
Nino: Thank you very much!
Jun: Since when are you a fan?
Nino: Ah, well, I've been always cheering you on since the time when you debuted! It may be preumptuous of someone like me to say this but,
after all Arashi's appeal is..."being vaguely dissatisfied with it as an individual" ne~!
As one: (uproariously laughter)
Sho: Hey! That's messed up (laughs)!
Nino: Well~, regardless of the sense of unity and shiny sparklingness when all 5 of us are together, when you get on your own (dropping head)
feeling not quite satisfied...that gap is great ne<3 Aiba: Meaning that the refining it still further is still ahead ne?
Nino: That's right, that's right.
Sho: We've already been doing this for 8 years, let's get it refined already!
Nino/Aiba: (laughs).
- Does remaining unchanged for 8 years mean that by now there's no recent newly discovered sides of the other members?
Aiba: None I guess~. Ah, something like Sho-kun's teeth-grinding I guess. (The incident where, at the tour's first boarding house Ohno and Aiba were
sharing a room with Sakurai and weren't able to sleep because of his teeth grinding)
Nino: Would that be a 'discovery'? A 'reconfirmation'? I mean, Riidaa was in the same room as Sho-kun at the beginning (when they were formed).
Or could it be that at the time you were in such a deep sleep you couldn't hear his teeth-grinding.
Ohno: I didn't know back then.
Aiba: It might have started recently.
Ohno: That sound was really shocking!
Sho: (to Aiba/Ohno) Let's sleep together on the tour next year too. I'll sleep with you. It was great ne.
Aiba: ...mm, no, I think I'll pass next year... I'll turn over Sho-kun to Nino and MatsuJun's room. Ne?
Sho: Then, next time it'll be 2:3 like that.
Jun: It might be 1(Sakurai):4 (laughs).
Nino: But, didn't it start out that Sho-kun slept right in the middle of the two of you because he said he was too scared to sleep alone (laughs)?
Sho: That room is scary~!
Daring to have an election! Arashi's '07 MVP would of course be that person
- Well then, we'd like to choose the person who rendered the most distinguished service among this year's Arashi!
Sho: (immediate reply) That would be me!
Jun: No, that would be me (laughs)!
Nino: No no, that would be me (laughs)?
Ohno: .... Sho-kun I guess.
As one: (laughs)
Nino: Ah, Yes! So, then, Sho-kun (laughs)!
Jun: Riidaa, go with the flow (laughs)!
Aiba: I vote for Sho-kun too.
Jun/Nino: Everyone's in agreement!
Sho: This flow is messed up (laughs).
- Congratulations on winning the MVP, Sakurai-san.
Sho: Thank you very much. Well, that's right ne, it's because I had the help of the other members that I'm able to win this award. With this spirit
I'd like to shine as the best MVP that no other can follow next year as well. Thank you very much!
Other 4: Thank you very much.
Sho: You all do your best too. Work at aiming for the MVP!
Other 4: You got it (laughs)! Next year you should live to your heart's content - Ohno
At any rate we'll be the moronic Arashi next year as well - Sakurai
Next year we'll work at an average rate - Ninomiya
Year of the mouse, it's the year of the mouse, year of the mouse - Matsumoto
Next year as well we'll do our best to find an opportunity to prey on you - Aiba

So...Ohno is remembering fans' faces??O_o Hehe, I'd like to think I'm memorable...XD But what a lucky girl! And what a clever way to pick up a girl (somehow I get the feeling Aiba has/will use this...XD) Poor Sho, he's going to be sleeping alone for a long time...;P (I think I see a couple of volunteers over here, winky, CK?XD) I lvoe the year-end haiku they have at the end here...Ohno's is beautiful (sasuga:3), Sho's is hilarious, Nino's is very Nino-ish (;P), Jun's...took less thought than anyone else's (XD), and Aiba's is confusingly amusing;P

Third act is 'The Television'...^^

Accelerating at the point where it seems like the 10th anniversary is in arms' length! Arashi, a good economic effect!
The New Year 3rd J model group, Arashi made an even further breakthrough in '07! Johnny's foremost friendly 5 grin in a train pose<> You can't
stop the acceleration of the Arashi train!

It was thickly packed in, Arashi, '07 was a great leap forward ne~.
Jun: Ah, it was really full. We're over-using those words.
Sho: When '07 opened we were quickly beginning concerts, the first Dome concert, the summer tour, and the 2nd Dome concert. It was a summer
that all 5 of us together were able to spend with a lot of people huh.
Nino: That's the kind of summer we were able to have, it was a good year, '07.
Aiba: Thanks to all the fans who were saying 'I want to see more Arashi concerts' addition by addition the summer got longer. In the end, the final
Dome concert was in October.
Sho: We accepted the voices of the fans, the scope grew gradually larger and larger, that was '07's new form ne.
Ohno: It was gone in a flash. I no longer have any memories of summer.
Sho: That's memory loss (laughs).
Jun: That's not good.
The single [Love So Sweet] had the brilliant achievement of reaching the number 4 single spot for the year! That's amazing.
Sho: That's certainly amazing!
Nino: (looking at Sho, who's wearing gold clothing) is that why... You've kind of become nouveau riche huh~.
Aiba: It's unpleasant clothing huh.
Nino: You change when you get famous huh. After all, 8 years since the debut. The feeling is there was no mistake in what's accumulated up is it?
Sho: Ah~, it was a toddling mistake-dotted 8 years ne. But it's great ne. Speeding up at the point where it feels like the 10th anniversary is within
arms' reach.
Jun: Up until now I felt that the 10th anniversary was close, but from going through '07 I get the sensation it got further away ne. That as full as it
was from now on it'll get even thicker.
Aiba: That's right ne~. Although I certainly think things like the Dome are amazing, we haven't particularly changed ne.
Jun: The more you say it the more you really feel that you haven't changed huh.
Sho: Even though we ourselves thought earlier that we were 'coming up'. Were we wrong.
Aiba: There have been people who were saying that Arashi's 'coming up' for a long time ne?
Jun: Though it wa the minority ne (laughs).
How about taking this time to honestly compliment each other on Arashi's efforts in '07?
Sho: MatsuJun worked hard on [Hana yori Dango 2]! Arashi's sales chief!
Jun: I was the sales chief?
Nino: Chief ne...
Jun: Don't say chief (laughs).

Nino: It's thanks to chief offering his body up and doing the Doumyouji role that we have [Love So Sweet] ne.
Aiba: [We Can Make It] in [Bambi~no!] too.
Jun: I worked hard huh~.
Sho: Nino and I are the sub-section chiefs huh.The two of us worked hard on [Yamada Tarou Monogatari] and were able to put out 1 single.
Nino: Aiba-san too, for the first time in 2 years? We got him to work hard at his play. He's also in good condition on his variety shows!
Aiba: The play was fun.
Ohno: Sho-kun also worked hard as a news caster and at the World Cup Volleyball, he's getting more breadth ne.
Nino: Reporting on the House of Council too ne.
Jun: I want to compliment Riidaa. The fact that he continues to unchangingly be Riidaa. I don't know what would have happened if he got bored
midway through.
Ohno: Although part way through it was pretty bad actually.
Jun: You got bored (laughs).
Nino: I'm glad that Riidaa somehow managed to wait for us~.
Conversely, in '08 what is it that's like 'YOU, fix this'?
Sho: There's nothing (declaration)
Nino: You spoke well, Sho-chan.
Sho: If there was something to fix then we would have fixed it much sooner. If you hadn't realized it by this point that would be extremely painful.
There's nothing to fix anymore.
Ohno: If we fixed it Arashi woul change.
We have big expectations for the unchanging Arashi in '08 as well.
Sho: The other day Ohno-san said something wise. The 9th anniversary is more precious than the 10th ne?
Ohno: Because the 10th anniversay will automatically get exciting. If we don't preciously make it exciting then the 9th anniversary will be pitiful.
Aiba: That's right ne. We have to be like 'wasshoi wasshoi' and make it exciting ne.
Nino: Then, how should we make the 9th anniversary exciting, Ohno-san?
Ohno: Planning meeting. Around the beginning of the month.
Sho: Excuse me, Ohno-san (laughs). Aren't you mixing in what you just said into various other magazines ne?
Nino: It's fine. It means that he's finally got his thoughts together doesn't it? Aiba: Riidaa's comments today are deliciously to the point!
Ohno: But since it's a plan I won't say what it is today.
Jun: Hey. The more you say it the more diluted it's getting~ (laughs).
Nino: In '07 the fans worked hard huh. They couldn't have helped spending money on the releases and concerts.
Sho: Arashi, a good economic effect!
Nino: Ohno-san, what do you think?
Ohno: What's an economic effect?
Nino: Since Arashi was very busy it resulted in the fans being made to spend money too ne. Are you thinking of an event in '08 that won't cost
money?
Ohno: Yeah. I'm thinking about it a little.
Nino: He's totally all talk (laughs).

Mouse New Year's Cards from Arashi

A fantastic everyday this year as well. A happy year! - Jun M.
Despite being quite reluctant, [Do I absolutely have to draw a mouse~?], it's a cute illustration<3

Happy New Year! I was highly obliged to you last year! Please favor me this year as well! - Ohno Satoshi, Heisei 20
The overly large teeth and singlasses on Riidaa's mouse are hilarious!

Happy New Year. I was obliged to you last year. Please favor me with your guidance and encouragement next year as well. - Aiba Masaki
Aiba-chan wrote this while confirming the characters for [guidance and encouragement] with the staff.

A happy new year!! I was highly obliged to you last year. I will continue to do so in the present year. I humbly ask you to favor me please. - Sakurai Sho
It's Sakurai with the number one refreshing smile, but the mouse is quite far from refreshing... (laughs).

Happy New Year. It's 2008 ne. It's auspicious ne. May it be a good year... - Ninomiya Kazunari
...mouse? Rabbit? (laughs). At any rate, the drawing was also an extremely cute Nino<3<3

Aw, Sho is MVP=) A real 'golden boy'XDD *nudge* Ohno's losing his memory and doesn't know exonomic terms (??) Nino wants to give us a free lunch!:D (I can offer a few ideas there...;) Aiba...didn't talk much:S And Jun really loves Ohno's lack of change^^ Okay, I was going to make a train joke here, but as I;'ve had too much choclate I think it's prudent to avoid humor at this point...and it's too easy;P

Now as an intermission, let's take a moment to reflect...

While we're looking back at a year filled with Arashi hilarity and smiles, I suppose some of us are already thinking up some resolutions and ambitions for the new year^^ For my part...I'm still thinking;) See, what goes hand in hand with my introspective personality is a tendency to stubbornness, so when I make a resolution I pretty much have to stick to it. Last year's resolution was to go back to school, go to Japan, and make it the best year of my life...and frankly, it was:3 And while I'll doubtless resolve to make this year even better (I think I already have, in my heart I'm already putting everything into thatX3), I need to think about what else...so, as kind of food for thought and a way to close one year and open another with a few words of wisdom, I decided to upload some pictures I took of proverbs and poetry in Japan:3

These first ones are from Higashi Honganji Temple in Kyoto, and they're originalyl Buddhist proverbs, but I think they can apply to anything if you think about it^^ Also, its a tradition in Japan to visit the Buddhist temples at the end of the year to atone for the previous year and prepare for the next, so this is a kind of secular version;)

When I think of that person, I live, when I forget that person, I am lost - Kaneko Daiei (from the Kaneko Daiei excerpts) If you can realize you are truly a fool, then your heart will be able to listen to the teachings of others - Akegarasu Haya (the Hougo calendar) Human beings pass through life not to become someone, but to become themselves - Nakano Ryoushun (the Hougu calendar) Both the old and the young, both men and women, live by relying on that which is not to be relied on - Harano Osamu Human beings are born embracing death, and grow by being able to embrace death - Nobukuni Atsushi (the Hougo calendar)

Somewhat austere, but there is that grain of truth. The last one seems dark, but I think it's more apt than you might believe...by being aware of the existence of death we can more fully feel alive, like by having a shadow the light seems more bright by contrast:3 My favorite, the one that inspires me, is the one about going through life to become yourself...X3
The next ones are from some statues that have local poetry in Kurashiki, near Okayama:)

You needn't force yourself to keep going as long as you are aiming for a pure heart Happiness begins from the moment you felt you were happy If you always have the heart of an angel then you will be able to meet people who have the smiles of angels

Here again, they're deceptively simple...but very meaningful if you look closely^^ Maybe that's why our boys have such beautiful smiles...:3 Words to live by...for me at least^^ Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful beginning to the new year, and that for you as well it will be the best year ever:3

And finally, the closer...in Josei Jishin the boys want to party too=)

Welcome to the Arashi New Year's party~;) Just leave your coat on the bed and your shoes at the door, don't worry if you didn't bring a gift cause everyone's too busy having fun to notice^^ Lucky Man is playing and it's hard not to dance along, especially when Jun and Ohno start swinging their hips in unison to the beat;PBut since they've been dancing so much they're behind on preparationsO_o Sho hand Aiba some balloons and puts him in charge of decorating, seeing as he's so good at blowing bubbles through strawsXD

He just wants to let go and watch it fly around the room though, giggling like a kid;P Ohno's ahead of the game, he's handling the food...as in, actually handling it, under the guise of 'taste testing'XD Nino wants some too, so he'll probably make Ohno give him a few licks;) But then he has to get around to the entertainment! He's learning some of Sho's magic tricks because he says he can do way betterXD Is this your card?;) Jun laughs at how Ohno's pouting because Nino ate the whole lollipopXDD Jun starts to feel bad so he goes to pour Ohno another drink, it's time for everyone to get nice and drunk so the real fun can begin=) But of course, he's a courteous host, so what'll you have?^^ With a full glass of champagne in hand and a pleasant buzz going you wander over to see what Sho's doing...he says he's watching to see the people lighting the fireworks so that he'll know the best vantage point when the clock hits midnight=) He then mentions that you can also see what the neighbours are doing from here and gives a naughty smirk;P Want a look?;) But it's time for the countdown...3, 2, 1, Happy New Year!:DDDD Find that one who makes your heart beat faster and sneak in a kiss for a good new yearX3 Then it's time to turn up the volume, Te Agero comes on, then Yes?No?, and everyone's drinking and dancing until the wee hours of the morning~:) 2008 looks like it will be another wonderful year, it's time to make more happy memories and new friends...^^ But first, who's going to clean up this mess??O_o *everyone looks pointedly at you*XDDD Happy New Year everyone~!X3 Let's all have even more fun this year than last year...find smiles in every day...learn something new about yourself...reach for the future that glitters so brightly ahead...and above all, laugh until your heart is free again:) I'm going to go have some more fun now, hope you're all enjoying yourselves somewhere in this big wide world^^ Mata ne~X3

この傷跡は決して消えないけど、それでも心がまた幸せのところまで飛んで行きたい：３こんなバカで我がままで傷だらけな私でも、どうぞ宜しくお願いしますX3明けましておめでとう！＾＾

I also translated parts of the January Duet article=)

Credit to Mori for the scans!:D

They reply to the readers' loving letters~

The Arashi members reply to the "love question & opinion emails" from Duet readers that were collected yesterday! The little this and that you
were wondering about may be instantly resolved?!

Q. I always get energy from the awesome smiles of everyone in Arashi. What's the source of those smiles? - Tochigi-ken, Tsuyu
Aiba: At any rate, I guess it would be from watching fun things. Even if it's just something trivial, see and feel something that makes you able to
smile, everyday.
Jun: That would be all the fans that support us ne. Other than thatm our everyday lives. The people around us are great aren't they (laughs)?
Nino: I've never thought about it, so I got no idea.
Ohno: I don't smile mich though. I'm not really conscious of it.
Sho: I guess maybe it's because we're given such a full everyday life ne. I also feel that as Arashi reaches our full 8th year since formation it's
getting more and more full ne. The 8th year more than the 7th year, the 9th yaer more than the 8th year...I feel like we're rising up the stairs. But
does Arashi really have that much of a smiling image?
Q. If you were to express yourself through an Arashi song, what song would it be? - Saitama-ken, Yoshie
Aiba: I guess [We Can Make It]. If you can conceive it you can achieve it! With that kind of feeling ne. If you don't have a good concept of things
you'll fail right? I want to always live positively ne.
Jun: It wouln't it be [Yabai-yabai-yabai]? I'll leave the reason to your imagination (laughs).
Nino: I don't have this either ne (laughs).
Ohno: [Everybody Zenshin]. It's not the lyrics but the melody. Resfreshing...ne (laughs).
Sho: [Cool & Soul] would be of use for this ne. Because we were able to put everything that is Arashi in this song. When a little more time goes
by we might write the next verse, but currently in November, 2007, it's this song.
Q. I think the way everyone in Arashi chooses their words and deals with people is awesome. I think it would be great if you could tell us what
remains in your heart of your parents' words and interactions. - Kanagawa-ken, Asuka
Aiba: My parents were working so I was raised by my aunt and uncle...I was raised where if you did something wrong people raised their hands
to you. Children don't understand anything right? I think it might be necessary to teach them that doing something is bad with pain, by hitting them
and such. I feel glad that I was raised in that way. Other than that, speaking of my own experiences, it was tough when my parents made me cry
I guess (laughs).
Jun: I wasn't spoken to particularly harshly ne. You could say I was raised by watching my parents' example. When I think about it now I think they
were very together parents. I think I was raised rather freely and uninhibitedly. Only, in the way that things that need to be taken care of were taken
care of.
Nino: Because I'm the kind with a bad mouth...I myself don't really think it's awesome (laughs). I guess there wasn't anything in particular they
told me?
Ohno: I was not once told things like 'go study' or 'go to school'. It seems like they had a 'there's no use in forcing yourself to do things you don't
want to do is there?' kind of way of thinking. If anything dad and mom both laughed a lot. They laugh like idiots (laughs). That's the kind of home
I was raised in.
Sho: At any rate they told me about things like manners ne. Things like 'thanks' and 'I'm sorry', those were the basics.
Q. Even now that I've graduated from school I still hang out with the group of four friends I was close with once a month, but among Arashi are there
things that up until now you've always continued doing or routines with all five of you? - Kanagawa-ken, Yuki
Aiba: Things we've continued doing with all 5 of us...I guess it would be work (laughs). That's about it ne. Not making routines is also a routine.
Jun: Nothing at all ne (laughs). There may be things we do naturally, but because they're unconscious I don't know. We don't have any routines
either.
Nino: This person (points at Ohno sitting next to him) doesn't give birthday presents at all either, there's nothing we continue doing ne. Though I've been
waiting for presents for about 2 years ne...
Ohno: Arashi doesn't have anything we continue doing, or any routines ne.
Sho: None. We don't make routines, we've also never talked about that kind of thing. If anything it would be emailing each other on birthdays, emailing
each other on the first day of a play? But there are also times when we meet in person and don't send emails ne.
Q. I've been an Arashi fan for half a year, and I'm also a housewife. I'm an older woman. When I see you guys being active and energetic in various
places I also get energetic~! How would all of you in Arashi see an older woman fan like me? - Wakayama-ken, Hitomi age 38
Aiba: I'm incredibly happy. Even with the concerts there's an adult way of seeing things, your opinion is also a good reference. Because you could
say you're my sempai in life. Please favor m from now on as well!
Jun: I'm happy though ne~. If it suits you, I'd want you to bring in your whole family and cheer us on with your husband ne. At a level that doesn't
break up your home please (laughs).
Nino: That's fine isn't it. I don't pay attention to the age of the fans (laughs).
Ohno: That's fine isn't it. You're focussing too much on your age. There's no one who thinks older woman fans are bad~ (laughs). At the concerts
too, enjoy yourself without worrying about it!
Sho: I'm happy ne~. It's not just housewives, for the last few years whole families and men have been increasing in the audience, we feel the breadth
of society. I'm also happy that the people who know about us are increasing, furthermore I'm also happy that the people who like us are increasing.
Age and gender have nothing to do with it. Q. Do you have a song that often plays inside your head? Jun-kun's Yabai song often plays for me. - Nara-ken, Don Cheech Love
A. What would it be? Ah, Hey!Say!Jump!'s [Ultra Music Power] I guess. But it always stops at 'jump into my dream~' (laughs). Because I don't
know the lyrics after that. I guess I want someone to give me the CD (laughs).
Q. In 2008, as Arashi reaches it's 9th anniversary, I will be a first year high school student just like Jun-kun when he debuted. When Arashi debuted
I was still a 6th grader. 9 years is a long time, but I felt it go by in the blink of an eye. How was it for you, Jun-kun? Also, are you becoming the self
that you wanted to be in the future? - Aichi-ken, Matsumoto Ayana Hime
A. Even though you're a 9th grader, that's a well put together question ne (laughs). That's right, because I don't look back like that very much I don't
feel like it was long or short... But I think it could be both long and short. Being able to feel that being called "Arashi", being called "MatsuJun",
meeting with the members, are all very natural things is also just because that much time has gone by ne. The me that I wanted to be...just the same
as Ayana Hime, I'm becoming the me in the future that I thought of when I was in 9th grade aren't I? Because the things where I think 'I want to
do it like this~' are constantly coming to be. In that sense I think I'm happy. But ne, because I'm a person with deep desires (laughs), that doesn't mean
it ends there. There are still a lot of things I want to do ne (laughs).
Q. You're the 'strongest character Matsumoto-san', but are there things that you're afraid of? - Tokyo Area, Tachibana Noriko
A. I don't know where I became the 'strongest character' (laughs), but there are things I'm afraid of. Like my drunk, annoying self (laughs). Rather
than scary more of a...dislike kind of feeling?
Q. Now that your dream of wanting to do a concert overseas that you had for your future when you were a Jr. has come true, as Arashi, as Matsumoto
Jun, do you have a new dream? - Fukuoka-ken, Miyuki
A. I do have a new dream ne. But I won't tell you (laughs). In terms of dreams, there are a lot of things I want to do.
Q. Right now your hair is super long, but you wouldn't cut it to about Ohno-kun's length would you? Do you like your hairstyle right now? - Fukuoka-ken,
Akka-
A. Right now I just have it long because of work you know. I'm doing the filming for the movie (The Hidden Fortress) with half my own hair ne.
I make it the length that's necessary for work, so the honest truth would be that it's not about whether I like it or not. Even when changing my hairtsyle,
I do it to match the role. So if a role comes where it's Riidaa's length I think I'd cut it, if it suits it I'd even shave my head.
Q. You've reached your 8th anniversary, but even now are there still parts of the members that are a mystery to you? - Gifu-ken, Rurube
A. After all ne~, Riidaa and Nino's more than necessary body contact. That's a mystery ne (laughs).
Q. What do you do on your days off lately? Did you get your room clean and tidied? - Saitama-ken, Green
A. When I have time I go ride horses, meet up with my friends like usual... The other day I met Nishikido (Ryou) and went to eat. After that the
two of us saw [Crows Zero]... Because that guy said he didn't have any money I paid for everything ne. On top of which, I even shelled out for
his taxi ride home (laughs). I'm both doing and not doing my room's clean-up.
Q. Arashi always gets along so well with each other. Is there a member where you think that if you got into a fight you couldn't win against them?
...I of course think Matsumoto-san is the best. - Fukuoka-ken, Miyuki
A. We don't fight so I can't imagine it. Or rather, although I won't even imagine it, if for example I was fighting with Riidaa and I hit Riidaa and
he hit me back...I think I'd immediately apologize and say 'I'm sorry!' (laughs).
Q. When you're trying to remember your lines and such, how do you concentrate? I'm a 9th grader getting ready to take my exams so I'd like you
to tell me some ways to concentrate. - Miyagi-ken, Shiho
A. What indeed ne. I guess it would be getting rid of things that get in your way after all. TV, music, cellphone...you make it so that anything other
than what you have to focus on doesn't get in the way. Because if those kind of things are around you they'll stay on your mind and you won't
be able to concentrate.

Their song choices were really telling ne...We Can Make It suits Aiba perfectly:3 Jun's comment about Yabai really gets me thinking...XD And I like how Sho said Cool & Soul expresses all of Arashi, it really makes me curious what the next verse could be^^ But Aiba's child-rearing policies leave me a little scaredO_o And I feel really bad for him too...I mean, if he's happy that's great...but speaking as someone else who was raised like that, I don't think it's healthy at allO_o Ohno's family sounds so cute!XD And really fun^^ But apparently they didn't raise him to give birthday presents, poor NinoXDD
Jun's drive to keep achieving things always makes me focus harder on my own, so I lvoe hearing him talk about ambitions. I wish he'd tell us what that new dream is...everything's a secret with this boy!XD And I'm even more curious about how he is when drunk...besides spilling wine on people's pants that is;P He's so kind to his friends though, paying for that whole day with Nishikido...^^ And I looked up Crows Zero, it stars Oguri Shun:D And it looks really good, I want to see it when it comes out on DVD...haven't seen some good butt-kicking action in a while. But the best part was describing his fight with Riidaa...first of all, trying to imagine Riidaa hitting anyone is kind of warping my brain;P But imagining Jun immediately apologizing is so cute!XD Something like that time on Shukudai-kun where he slapped him...;P Aw, Jun loves you Riidaa=)

In other news, my friendly resident squirrel, Ojiisan, came back the other day!O_o I was really surprised cause he's supposed to be hibernating right now^^;

He looks so cold doesn't he?>_< I wanted to get a closer picture, but when I tried to slide my balcony door open he got scared and ran away...maybe I'll leave some breadcrumbs on my balcony for him^^ Poor thing, he should go back to sleep:S
Well, that's all for now^^ Have a great weekend everyone, hope you're getting geared up for an awesome 2008:)

A dear friend of mine sent me scans of the November FC pamphlet and suggested I translate them for all of you as an xmas present because they talk about the summer concerts:3 Thank you so much dear!<3 I hope you all enjoy them and will be thankful to her too^^

The cover:

Front page: Arashi Summer Tour 2007
The summer tour that started in July finally approached its finale at the additional Tokyo Dome performance on October 8th. Up until now and
beyond, this year's long hot summer. With what emotions did the five of them run through it. We tried asking the day after the last performance.
Time Kotoba no Chikara (The power of words) - What does it feel like right now, as the tour is ending?
Sho: Well, it's like [summer's over] isn't it?
Jun: Kind of ne, although there were delineations time and time again.
- It feels like 'this time it's really over!'?
Sho: Of course, of course. In this way it's not actually ending, even if they say it's a 'supplement' ne. Because we overdid it. I hereby
respectfully decline (laughs). Though the summer tour was long, even though it's already October it feels like when the Tokyo Dome is over
the summer will be over ne.
Ohno: Rather, it's finally over. It doesn't feel like a summer tour, looking back it's like it was constantly continuing since the beginning of spring...
Sho: Doesn't it kind of feel like the year 2007 is already over? I mean, there's only 2 months left right?
Nino: It might be because we were doing liver performances the whole time ne. Because when you're doing your job it probably normally feels
like this ne.
- Doing live performances makes a year go by quickly?
Sho: Fast. This year was especially fast ne.
Nino: We say it's 'fas' every year ne?
Jun: Haha.
Nino: For the last several years we've been saying it's 'fast'.
Ohno: When you do lives performances it's incredibly fast ne.
Jun: Because we really started doing live performances from the beginning of the summer right up until the end ne. It was kind of incredibly great,
even as an experience. In particular, the tension at each and every one of the locations for each of the live performances this year was left an incredible
impresision on me. For that reason as well right now I have an incredible feeling of 'it's over!'. Because we'll definitely not do that set line up
ever again.
- What was particularly impression-leaving?
Sho: The MJ walk, after all ne.
Jun: Well ne~, of course that's what you would expect from something with all 5 of us ne (making a joke)
Nino: Well, it's like the one I developped ne. (this too)
Sho: NK walk (laughs).
- As for the members other than MatsuJun, will you try using it?
Ohno: I'm not.
Jun: Even though would be fun if you tried it ne? Like, the 5 of us doing it before the MC and such.
Sho: Ah~, well that's right ne.(as if his heart's not in it)
- MatsuJun, were you seriously not scared when doing it? Jun: Well, to be honest I get the feeling I overdid it (laughs).
- It seems like there were a lot of fans who were worried as well.
Jun: Ah~, well~, it was something I started saying that I would do. I think it's great that we were able to do it at each venue without missing any.
Sho: The only that's for sure is that it's 'yabai' (laughs). It was extremely dangerous.
Jun: It was interesting, amazing. It's kind of me saying it, but I think that doing flying in that way was interesting. That it's not just showily floating
around. To say it strongly, it's like 'you guys are still just flying?' (laughs). That's how I think of it.
Sho: Because when it comes to us we were only bouncing around on the bungees ne.
Nino: If it's the bungees we can do it too huh? Well, I guess that's the limit.
- It's a good interpretation of that to say that it's 'something that makes you feel excited just from seeing it' ne?
Jun: That's it, of course.
Ohno: Even if it's something people call 'cool' ne.
Sho: You're doubting their taste ne (laughs).
Nino: He's pulling it the other way (laughs).
Sho: If you asked which way it was, 'we have fun seeing everyone else having fun' would be correct. For example, at the first Osaka show the
guests were clapping their hands and laughing uproariously. But it's like, we should have fun in the latter half...
Jun: 'Being able to laugh' ne, in short (laughs).
Nino: There's no one making us alugh (laughs).
- Doesn't it hurt?
Ohno: At first it hurt.
Nino: Are armpits go stronger ne.
Ohno: Yeah. Although the first time I did it in rehearsal it hurt so much I thought 'I can't take it'.
Jun: The staff improved it ne.
Sho: At the very beginning, when we did it in rehearsals the tubes were in a much more raw state, so when we said 'this hurts' the staff improved it
for us. It became a much more gentle construction, our armpits are extremely strong even now (laughs).
- With what material did they make it more soft?
Jun: We don't know that much (laughs).
Sho: It's kindness ne. It's made with kindness.
Nino: That's right, that's important ne. It's 'kindness'!
- The moving stage also appeared in both it's small and large sizes, that was luxurious ne. Jun: That was made for this tour. In the middle of doing various meetings with the staff, and since we were going to do the dome again we said 'let's
make it'.
(At this point Aiba-chan, who was doing other work, makes his appearance)
- Aiba-chan was overwhelmed with emotions at the very end ne.
Aiba: Ah~, I felt the warmth of all the incredible fans. I think what we've done up to now as well is thanks to everyone.
Sho: Aiba-san, when the lights hit you it already seemed like you were crying didn't it. Were you touched by my introduction (laughs)?
Aiba: That's right. That's exactly it. I was like [Sho-kun says great things huh~] (laughs).
- But wasn't everyone overwhlemed with emotions at that time?
Jun: Well, speaking honestly, it was because it was okay to cry ne (laughs).
Aiba: At that time ne, I really thought of a lot of good things, because it was the end.
Sho: Despite that it quickly ended without you saying anything ne~ (laughs).
Aiba: So, even though I was thinking about talking about those good things, what entered my sight was the smiles of the fans.
Sho: But it's better than talking a long time about good things? I think that what you were able to convey by tearily saying 'thank you' was very big.
Aiba: But ne~, there were a lot of things that I wanted to convey ne.
Jun: It wasn't the words you thought out right?
Aiba: Yeah, since what I thought at the time was 'thank you' I let it end like that.
Ohno: Well it was great, amazingly so.
Aiba: Despite that, even if you challenged me to I wouldn't say now the things I was thinking of saying.
- When you were doing the lvie performances what was the moment that really got you?
Sho: For me it's the instant we come out in the opening, when I see the sea of penlights and the audience, that's the part that gets me right at the
beginning. And seeing uchiwas that make you wonder just how far they go on. The view of the penlights from the seats is different than
from the stage. That's why, I'm sorry to say, that means it's only us 5 who can see that view. The view where the whole venue is filled with
our guests really does get to you ne. And it keeps getting to you for 3 hours. Nino: For me I guess it gets to me when I see the guests dancing during [Oh Yeah!] or [Hadashi No Mirai].
Jun: Hey, with the guests that haev come for the first time, the people who don't know the moves, I wonder if they want to dance when seeing the
ones doing that?
Nino: I wonder ne~.
Sho: Wouldn't they? They'd probably want to join in.When they do that from both sides.
Jun: That's pretty much how it is ne.
Nino: Because they're coming to see us because they like us ne.
Aiba: For sure they do it, even if they don't know how.
Sho: I guess it was Niigata. I was so happy when a guy who came by himself was doing it ne.
Ohno: I guess it would be when everyone is dancing too. Like in [Carnival Night Part 2].
Sho: Because Ohno-kun did some of the choreography ne. Even though right now that's not on the DVD.
Ohno: Everyone being able to dance is amazing ne.
Jun: For me the thing that gets my tension up is something incredibly personal... At the point when Aiba-kun comes out to do his solo the guests
always go into an uproar. At that moment I think 'ah~, I did a good job huh'.
Sho: Ahaha! Nice pass (laughs).
Jun: I think 'I made a good assist huh' (laughs).
Aiba: You gave me nice passes (laughs).
- Do you always do a kind of celebratory thing after the end of the very last show?
Sho: Since the year 2001 I guess we don't have a celebration after everything is over. Normally we do it right about in the middle of the tour. This time
we did it about twice ne. In Sendai and in Niigata. After all, after it's over all of the staff have the scramble (tear down).Having a celebration
on the day that it's over is hard ne.
- What was the last day like this time?
Jun: This time we did it lightly with champagne. Because Sho-kun had to go out right away for work (News Zero) his manager held the leftover
glass in his place and the five of us made a toast.
Aiba: A pinch-hitter (laughs).
Sho: I joined in too, in spirit. I really do like that kind of thing ne. I wasn't there this time, but once before, I guess about 2 years ago. I have a memory
of doing that in the dressing room at Yokohama Arena or somewhere.
Jun: Ah~, we did it in the arena dressing room ne.
Sho: I love that kind of thing. Even though it was just toasting ourselves with champagne in the dressing room and saying 'great work!'. But there's also
kind of a feeling that it's completely over, in the dressing room as well. Gradually more and more the luggage gets removed. Because toasting
it in the middle of a dressing room where it feels like it's getting more and more bare really made it feel incredibly like 'it's over huh~'.
- By the way, why would it be that Arashi doesn't lose that much freshness?
Jun: Fresh?! It wouldn't be freshness right?
Ohno: I don't know if that's good or not ne.
Sho: We haven't thought about that area at all.
- I think there are unexpectedly few people who sing and dance with such happy faces.
Aiba: It may just be that there are a lot of songs like that among our songs ne.
Jun: We don't think it's fresh.
Aiba: We also don't think 'let's do it like this'. Wouldn't it just be that doing it our way is fresh? Though I could be wrong.
Sho: If doing it happily and with good energy is fresh, then it would be because we're having fun I guess. We haven't been aware of it ne, at this
point. Although when we're past 30 we may begin to be aware of it. But when you're over 30 being fresh is kind of painful right (laughs)?
- Do you have the feeling of the 10th year getting closer?
Sho: We do. When 2 years go by it'll be the 10th year right? It's like, what will we do for the 10th year ne. To welcome the 10th anniversary in
a good way. How to do the 9th year. In the end it's that continuity. It's not like we're just working hard aiming for the 10th anniversary. That's
not the goal.
- Have your feelings towards the Dome changed?
Sho: Althougb my awareness of it hasn't changed a lot of people told me this this time. Something like 'there was more scope than the first Dome
occassion, in a good way ne'. That's why I guess it has changed from the perspective of those around us.
Jun: Each time the Dome topic comes up people say 'Aiba-chan cried ne' ne?
Aiba: Ah~...
Ohno: They'll say that for a year ne.
Nino: No, they'll probably say that for 3 years huh.
Jun: So then you'll get sick of not being able to cry ne (laughs).
Sho: Eventually you'll get sick of it saying [Cry Aiba!] on uchiwas and such ne (laughs).

Ah~, I wish I could have seen that last performance>_< I heard that not only was Aiba crying, the others were trying hard not to as well:3 And after working hard all summer, knowing that these moments were coming to an end, I'm sure it was quite an emotional moment. I was nearly in tears at my last concert>_< But poor Aiba, he'll never hear the end of it;) And I lvoed how they talked about their most impactful moments...yes, people who don't know the mvoes try to dance too, I didXD You pick them up as you go, it's part of the fun:D But I also had a good teacher beforehand^^ And of course, Jun and Aiba's 'passes'X3 So cute^^ That was one of my favorite parts, when Jun comes out and lovingly introduces the most 'peace' of the members and Aiba begins 'Friendship'<3 It's such a bittersweet feeling to think of it now~

It's almost Xmas!:D And, because I just had to do an article, the shortest one I could find, Jun's December Duet=)

Credit to Mori for the scans:D

Please introduce the members of Arashi.
Aiba-chan = Is a person who has a heart that's pure to the point of crying at concerts, and as a consequence
is so splendidly naive that it can be troublesome from time to time. Nino = He's the one among the members
with the most child-like points, but there's also the side of him that calls people vulgar names. Sho-kun =
In charge of rap. Lately he's also being a kind of newscaster, Arashi's mediator. Riidaa = He draws pictures,
sculpts clay, his artistic sense stands out above the rest. He doesn't normally move much (laughs).

Recent Status
Lately, since the concerts are over I've been meeting up with people ne. Making an appearance at the birthday
party of an aquaintance, meeting a friend I've known since junior high, going to see the band of someone I know.
It's been a long time since I've been able to make time like this. Although it really had been ages since the
last time I saw the friend from junior high we both had things that had changed and not changed, it was
interesting. It was a stimulating, in a good sense. Then we all went to karaoke together and sang songs we often
sang when we were in high school, like Mr. Children and Spitz. In a matter of an instant I returned to how
it felt back then ne. Lately I've been thinking that I've stopped listening to and memorizing music for the
sake of karaoke (laughs). When I'm at home I'm purely doing movie appreciation ne. Lately I watch a lot of
Kurosawa movies.

Jun Matsumoto

1983.08.30 Blood Type: A
Born in Tokyo
Height: The same as Chinen-kun (laughs)
Weight: About 60kg I guess?
Foot size: 26.5cm.
Eyesight: Right, 0.2 Left, 0.3 Normally I have on contact lenses or glasses.
Favorite motto: Nothing in particular.
Attractive features: My eyes or my eyebrows?
Weaknesses: Early mornings.
Favorite foods: Japanese food. Soba, sushi, ramen, etc.
Hated foods: Cilantro.
Special skills: The MJ walk (laughs).
Strong points: Sometimes I show an amazing ability to come up with ideas.
Weak points: I get carried away with my ideas. If they ask me, the conversation will go in a direction the other
person doesn't understand (laughs).
Hobbies: Lately surfing or riding horses. Besides that, movie appreciation.

Ah~, I lvoe this smile<3 And his analyses of the other members showed some real, thought-provoking depth:3 Nino's was a little surprising actually, although I can picture him yelling at everyoneXD My favorite was Aiba's though, you can tell he admires that about him^^ And Sho is the group's mediator? Interesting, I would have guessed Ohno. And ohno doesn't move much...yes, that's a recurrent theme it seemsXD But seriously, he won't give his height?XP He's definitely not 143cm like Chinen-kun;) Hehe, I loved how he said he gets carried away with his ideas, that's something I do all the time...unfortunately I tend to get annoyed or flustered when people can't follow along, I bet it's the same for Jun^^; But I can't wait to see him riding a horse! That would be quite something ne~:3

Well, I won't make it so long before my next post=) Again, sorry to be so out of touch^^; I saw the FNS performance, it was so cute<3 I agree that the choice of wardrobe was much better than last year's they looked great and still had their dignity (a shocking concept for Johnny's, I know;P). Hope you're all doing well and continuing smoothly along the paths you've chosen:) Stay well, and see you soon~^^

Sorry to have neglected you all again>_< Work, school, everything in between,...anyway, life was crazy, and hopefully it will settle down a bit now^^ But to make things a little sweeter, and because I just had to read it as soon as possible, I have the first edition of Jun's new serial in Roadshow magazine!:D

Credit to Mori for the scans;)Only one thing...the right side of the page is a little cut off, I don't know if there is something missing or not:S But, I did my best with what there is^^

Matsumoto Jun's Talk Session, Hug A Movie Vol.1

Arashi's Matsumoto Jun's new serial begins.
The talk and photo session with freelance writer Satou Yuuki and photographer Kobayashi Kisei.
He'll frely talk about the movies that interest him!

- Which means that from this month's issue onwards we'll have you talk with all your heart about your favorite movies or about
movies that interest you. To start is [Deadman]. First of all, what did did you think of it this time you
saw it?
I've seen this movie twice. Although, it's been about 4~5 years. First of all, they had me right in the
opening scene ne. The way time passed inside the steam train. Doing it slowly, it was decidedly not flashy,
but despite that it pulls in the people watching it in the blink of an eye. I thought that was amazing.
- I think you didn't notice at all, but inside that train is Billy Bob Thornton.
I didn't know. Every little thing's a luxury (laughs). In this movie I like the 'intervals' ne. After the train
scene, at the workplace, William Blakely (Johnny Depp) went to Charlie Dixon's (Gabriel Byrne) workplace but
he couldn't get him to hire him. So he goes to a bar and says [Give me a whiskey] and they bring out a bottle,
but when the barkeeper sees how little money he takes out he changes the bottle for a smaller one, that scene.
I like that kind of 'intervals' ne.
- Although there are a lot of people who misunderstand the director Jim Jarmush as a curtly cross person he's
actually incredibly kind; that and he's a person with an unbelievably sense for comedy.
Yeah. That 'interval' is comedy, without a doubt. Somehow ne, "Deadman" is a movie with an incredibly serious
theme, but I myself ne, seeing it anew this time, didn't think it was serious at all.
- That's interesting. Why?
The funniness of the bar scene, the cross-dressing guy (Iggy Pop) getting very easily attacked. It was like,
at any rate he doesn't have any connection to the storyline anymore, so he just went ahead an attacked him (laughs).
It was by no means cheap, but it feels cheap-ish ne. Though it was probably intentional.
- Ah, I really understand that. There was probably a necessity for it at first, in terms of what Jim was thinking.
It was probably a reason like he unexpectedly just wanted to do it ne.
Hahaha... That rythym is funny.
- Jim is an incredibly offbeat person. It's not in a regulated sense, I think that offbeatness must be his distinctive
characteristic.
Although watching it was really interesting, in reality, to be honest, there was a point where I got sleepy
for a moment (laughs).
- But it seems like getting sleepy is okay, with a movie like "Deadman" (laughs).
I think that must be how it is (laughs).
- I really think that how he made it ne.
Other than that, of course, Johnny Depp is cool ne.
- That's right ne. The Johnny in "Deadman", he himself is going on a journey but weird people like Iggy Pop,
who you mentioned earlier, start appearing around him en masse at that time right? As an example, when you're
doing a leading role Matsumoto-san, how do you conduct yourself when there are other people around you to work
with?
In the case of a role where I have a lot of movement I can get involved with those people from my end,
which I'm grateful for. Conversely, in the case of a passive role, it really helps me out when, as much as I
move myself the people who have those kind of habits do various things.
- Other than that, the music in this movie is amazing as well.
I'm overly absorbed in the sound of Neil Young's guitar that comes in for that one momentary 'interval'.
- Johnny was also originally a musician, and so was Jim. When fellow musicians make a movie I think that
even if their musical taste happens to be largely different a common understanding will come out. That's why
I think that it's a good position for you, Matsumoto-san, to be doing variety, doing music, and also performing.
That's right ne. But being able to do a lot of things...there were times when that was hard on me too ne.
For example, when I'm doing a performance I feel that I just want to concentrate on the performance. But
right now I think that being able to do a lot of things is really something great. When I'm playing the role
of someone who lives in a certain area and actually go on location in that area I only return to the city
two days a week, but at times like that I feel like I don't want to leave that area. Besides that, I want
to do anything.
- Is the Matsumoto-san of right now in a position where he can present himself like 'I want to do this kind
of thing'?
I say it when I've thought that. Deciding everything myself...I think it's a little early for that. I can't
say that until I've appeared in and watched many more productions. Because even though I understand 'what's good',
I still don't understand 'why it's good'.
- Those words are kind of a wise thing to say ne~.

I've never seen this movie, so I have to admit I feel like I was missing out on the conversation a little^^; But the way he described that scene in the bar, I could picture it in my head, he did a really good job;) What I really thought was interesting though was how he described his way of operating with other characters in a role; in effect, he's saying he's bound by the role, and he has to depend on others if he's in a passive state. That must be kind of stressful, having to trust that the other person will give you the response you need to construct your role...:S Yet somehow he always manages to pull off an amazing performance. But I really liked his last thought, it was incredibly profound. To me that proves his modesty isn't just an act; in his own serious-minded way he's trying to move towards his lofty goals, and it reminds me of Socrates' quote 'knowledge is knowing how little you know'. I admire his drive to succeed, and it really seems like he has a good idea of how to get there...despite how he says that he's just floundering like the rest of us. Maybe that's just how we all are thouhg; some of us look like we have all the answers, but I'm sure we're all just struggling along, admiring someone else...maybe that's what life is, struggling along with your dreams and inspirations until you find something inside of yourself you never knew was there. And it gives me even more of a feeling like someday he might move towards directing himself...:3 I look forward to seeing more^^

Just a short article this week^^ Jun's November Potato:3

Credit to Mori for the scans =)

Kind of relaxing to look at ne~^^ Although this time the summer tour was both longer in terms of days and number of performances, it went
on from the start with no real content changes for the most part, even when passing over the whole thing I
think it went rather smoothly. Constitutively as well, I think that the way we didn't set things in stone
from the beginning and the way we made a point of stressing the merits of the live performance was good. On
top of which we were also able to adapt well to it. Everyone celebrated my birthday on stage this year as
well...although I'm very thankful for it I also feel kind of bad about it ne. I mean, the guests paid money
to come see an Arashi concert but they have to celebrate for me. I can't seem to get used to it no matter
how people celebrate for me so it's always a little embarrassing, to be honest I had no idea what reaction
I should give (laughs). But, being able to have it celebrated by the guests and the members made me extremely
happy, I'm grateful.
Since the Dome is the finale of the [Arashi Time] tour it's filled with strong emotions. If I'm standing on
stage it's the same feelings no matter what the performance, but I feel some heaviness when all's said and done.
Although during the middle of the tour there was an announcement about the movie version of [Hana yori Dango]
people had been talking about doing a movie since we'd been doing [Hana yori~2(returns)], that became realized.
We have to make it a piece where at the premiere people can say [I'm glad it became a movie] ne.
When the Dome is over...first will be cleaning up the house (laughs). The other day I kind of started doing
it but it was as if I'd been doing a major clean-up, a lot of trouble. From work documents to videos, clothing
related things...things like that accumulated an incredible amount, first I have to sort out the things I
need and don't need. I'd been thinking that I wanted to clean up since [HanaDan] ended, but [Bambi~no!] came
in and in the end I gathered up all the [HanaDan] documents and kind of deceived myself by putting a lid on it,
that's lead to where I am now (laughs). Since this is the first large-scale cleaning I've done in a long time
I need to do it with some discrimination (laughs). When my room is clean I'll buy the new computer I've been
looking forward to, I want to try making music.
The time I relax is at night, that's when I watch the tv shows I've leisurely recorded, listen to music. For
the most part the shows I watch are mainly dramas, in the middle of the tour when I go to the local areas
I also tape them every week, I made sure to watch [Yamada Tarou~] too (laughs). As for books I read [MushiriAi]
in a collection of short stories by Tsutsui Yasutaka-san. It was biting content-wise, but it was a book where
felt the strength of words. It was the original work behind Noda Hideki-san's play {The Bee], so after I saw
the play I started wanting to read the original as well. Taking advantage of that I think I want to try reading
another df Tsutsui-san's books. Lately I don't go out much for the most part, I stay at home quite often. It's
fine isn't it? Even if there are periods like this...I'm also cleaning my room (laughs). So he was watching YamaTarou;) That seemed like an obvious choice, I wonder what else...^^ I can't imagine having wanted to clean up back in March and not being able to do it until now thoughO_o And I'm worried about not cleaning until xmas breakXD And with the masses of clothing in his room I'm sure it's no easy task either, but if it makes him feel better about staying home all the time~;) I think it's funny how he has tiny sense of needing to justify it, it ends the interview on a really cute note<3 I wish him luck with the cleaning, and I hope he fully enjoys the little bit of time off he gets right now before the busy new year:3

So here's the other major translation I did recently, the flip side of the Cinema Square article in that it's much more about his private life^^ We were blessed with not one, but two heavenly photoshoots this month for Jun, the other being Nikkei Health<3

Again, thanks to Mori for the scans:) I did a little editing on the last two to make it all one though, cause it just looks better that way:3

Is it just me or does this whole photoshoot make him look younger? Like around the time of Tokyo Tower?<3 At crucial moments I too use Chinese medicines
My health routine is one glass of water after waking and before bed
Lately I also eat cereal and yogurt with brown rice in it for breakfast

He's a serious person. [I always want to properly face the things in front of me] he says. Therefore no matter
what interview he looks through all of the back issues laid out at the location, he reads into the pages that
he will be featured in, and then he carefully ascertains what is being sought from him. Today as well, in the
make-up room, that was how he was.
And no sooner had the interview begun then the laughing counter-question [What is the theme of the feature this time?]
came flying out...
[I too use Chinese medicines. There have been times when I've brought several different varieties on to the set
as a precaution. I have an acquaintance who informs me about Chinese medicin practioners and knowledge. And,
because I get the feeling that it suits my constitution, at critical moments I use Chinese medicines.
For example, in my case, when my throat hurts because I've caught a cold and I take some Chinese medicine
that's good for the throat my throat symptoms will subdue, next it'll be my nose...in that way the place
where the symptoms are occurring will change. I can actually feel the condition of my body changing. I think
it's probably because the recovery ability of my whole body is being raised that that happens. What could it
be, it ends up that I'm always inevitably dealing with my body that much more ne.]
Nonetheless, the main point of his health is ultimately his daily lifetsyle. The aim being to instinctively
give his body what it wants, at each occasion.
[I guess an example would be water. When I go into the studio the opportunities to drink coffee will by all
means mulitply, in order to not spoil my stomach I do my best to drink water. The glass of water upon waking
and before going to bed that also leads to good blood flow is one of my few daily health routines. Actually,
often the only thing I have ready in my fridge is water (laughs).]
What about meals?
[For the purpose of raising my blood sugar levels and supplying energy I eat breakfast. The onigiri bentou
on sets, on days when shooting in the studio a set breakfast from the cafeteria that seems to have well-balanced
nutrition. Lately at home I eat cereal or yogurt with seasonal fruits with brown rice in them.]
When it comes to working up a sweat [Rather than lying around in the bath I prefer to move my body]. Like
how he's come to enjoy going out biking lately.

The body and the mind are connected
I want to focus my eyes beyond my body on to the condition of my mind
With girls as well, I think people who have a good balance between body and mind are fantastic

[Naturally standing pedaling as hard as I can uphill kind of makes my heart beat faster. I suppose you could say it
it rminds me of how I felt when I was a child. That makes me it possible for me to become incredibly happy
and energetic.]
He feels that the body and mind are connected. That's why he wants to do things that are good for both the
body and mind at the same time, he focusses beyond the body on to the condition of his mind.
[Even though it's hard on physical strength when I feel like I want to drink alcohol I go drinking. That way
I can reset.]
[With girls as well, I think that people who not just know health information but have a good balance of body
and mind are fantastic.]
Well then, this person has a very strong image of being energetic, but actually he says [I get fairly nervous,
so there's a lot of things I'm fearful of.]
[For example, this year they let us do our first Dome performance as "Arashi", but with live performances
every time, no matter how particular about creating it, until the opening on the first day you have no idea
what the actual reaction of the guests is. It's the same with plays and dramas and movies. It's not completed
by practicing, it's something that's first completed by conveying it to the guests. Because with that kind of
sense you can't remain indifferent to the pressure ne.]
For that what he habitually keeps foremost in mind is breathing.
[Everything changes with the rythym of your breathing. If you don't adjust it so that you're breathing deeply
your emotions won't be transmitted, it'll become painful.]
As a relaxation aid he sometimes burns aromas, dried sage nad other herbs in his dressing room.
[Since the people other than myself like the staff won't be sleeping I think that it would be nice to have
even a little bit of a good-feeling atmosphere.]
The filming next year of drama [Hana yori Dango]'s movie version, as well as of his first performance in a
period drama in the movie [Kakushi Toride no San Akunin], is closing in.
[I've never been satisfied with the status quo. Because I'm a person with deep desires (laughs).] says this
person, for whom it seems there's yet another exciting year coming his way.
On a side note, what about how every year at the end of the year his health deteriorates.
[The Countdown live performance on December 31st at the Tokyo Dome. We rehearse from morning onwards, at any
rate it's cold~. I'm sensitive to cold, so please teach me ways to avoid getting chilled.]
Everyone, please send information to the editorial department.

Oh, I can think of a few dozen, but they'd necessitate a plane ticket...*evil grin*XD But really, there's lots of things...like sticking your clothes in the dryer a few minutes before putting them on (or the microwave...I had an ex who used to nuke his underwear...believe it or not, it can actually burn little holesO_o Yes, thank goodness I haven't seen him in a decade, I shudder to think of what he may have becomeXD)...buying those compact heat packs that work when you break them open and last all day (you put them in your pockets for your hands, or if you get the right kind of scarf you can wrap them around your neck or stuff them under your coat;)...etc, etc;P I live in a climate where you have to be creative like thatXD
But I really enjoyed reading this article:3 The beginning where they describe how he earnestly pores over the back issues and asks what is needed from him, then suddenly smiles and teases the reporter was perfect JunX3 He is very serious, but the mischief underneath that is such an amusing facet of him<3 In the end though, it was the part where he talks about how he uses breathing to control the anxieties of life, and aromas to creat a comfortable setting that I really got absorbed with. I used to always burn incense and scented candles (my favorites were lemon grass and patchouli/sandalwood) but the neighbours complained too much...>_< I really wish I could learn how to use breathing techniques though, (effectively anyway) because when my chest is tight from stress it would help if I could take a deep breath and relax... Imagining him relaxing on a couch in his dressing room breathing deeply amidst the scent of lavender oil (good for sleep) is somehow very pleasant and soothing:3 I think I know what he means about remembering his feelings of being a child, sometimes I think that's part of the joy I feel when I see the blue sky and feel the wind in my hair...part of the wonder at the beauty and wideness of the world that made my heart so full of light back thenX3 He's such a sweetheart<3
And on that note, I give you ' the two sides of Jun';)

Yes, I think I can say with some certainty that it doesn't suck^^ That's a nice feeling...but seriously, it's almost like he's two different people here!O_o Hehe, if you could only have one which would you pick?XDD I think I'm being pulled towards the devil....X3

Hope you're getting geared up for whatever the season has in store:D It seems like xmas starts the day after Halloween, but now that I've been roped into planning an office xmas party I'm really starting to sense the season;P Let the countdown begin, only 20 days until I'm on break!XD Take care, stay warm (or cool), and find the little moments of happiness that make life sparkle:3

I realize I haven't posted here in ages...really really sorry:S Sometimes I get caught up in the rush and things fall through the crakcs unfortunately^^; But I think I'll try reposting my artcile and song translations here from lj, since I know some people prefer it here^^  First I'll do the Cinema Square interview:3

Credit to Mori for the gorgrous scans!:D

This magazine's exlusive long interview with Matsumoto Jun [The Three Scoundrels of the Hidden Fortress]

Matsumoto Jun has been picked to star in the remake of director Kurosawa Akira's [Kakushi Toride no San

Akunin]. While still prior to going into production at the time of this interview his body was already

brimming with energy for the piece. It's a fusion of the over ten year career as an actor he holds, his

stoically sincere acting stance, and his first action period piece. In the end, what kind of radiance will

he emit...

There's nothing I can do beyond bringing out everything I have.

When I watched the original piece I unintentionally yelled out [Cool!].

- With regards to starring in the remake of director Kurosawa Akira and star Mifune Toshirou's masterpiece

[Kakushi Toride no San Akunin], what were your thoughts upon hearing the plan initially?
Matsumoto: First I initially read the rough script, then after that I watched Kurosawa-san's [Kakushi

Toride no san Akunin], and the establishment is a little different ne. Of course it is a remake, it's

fairly dramatized. My particular role is, in terms of the original, part of the peasant combination of

Taihei, played by Chiaki Minoru-san, and Matashichi, played by Fujiwara Kamatari, but the name has changed

and Mifune-san's role as the military commander Rokurouta has changed into the man named Takezou that I'm

playing. How they escape to their allied country while protecting the princess and war funds...in other

words, the broad story line is the same ne.
- When you tried reading the rough script how did you feel it to be, including your own role?
Matsumoto: The dramatization was done by the writer Nakajima Kazuki-san, who worked in the theatre on

[Gekidan Shinkansen]. I really liked the Shinkansen play and I got the impression that there were parts

that had Shinkansen type action and parts that were more adventure. In other words I thought "it's a fast-

paced action movie". But when I watched Kurosawa-san's piece after that I got a completely different

impression ne. From the beginning there were points where I thought it honestly might be desolate even if
we did a stright remake.

*Dies a thousand deaths*~X3

After all the original is just too amazing. That's why if someone had said [We're

doing a complete remake of [Kakushi Toride no San Akunin, will you do it?] I probably would have said [I

won't] ne (laughs). Because we definitely can't do the same things as the original.
- What points would you have felt were too amazing?
Matsumoto: First of all, the action was amazing no matter how you look at it! The crowd scene at the

beginning, Mifune-san's hand's-free horseback riding action scene (an incredibly famous scene that occurs
in the original piece), the festival scene, there were a lot of impressive scenes. This is a personal

opinion but, watching Hong Kong action movies there aren't any parts that make me think 'this is amazing'.

I probably see it as cutting it to make it perfect. Other than that, even if you watch something like [The

Matrix] there's amazing parts with CG and wire action, but that's not the magnificence of flesh and blood

human beings. Because when I watched [Kakushi Toride~] I unthinkingly blurted out [Woah, that5's cool!] ne.

That feeling was incredibly refreshing. Maybe you'd call it a dancing of the heart, or a swift sense of

exhilaration. It certainly may not be something where you can laugh with abandon, or a story that colors

your heart with it's emotion, but it goes straight inside you ne. In a good sense I guess it's the feeling

that your feet aren't on the ground anymore. Your body gets a little lighter you could say... I came to

know a sensation that isn't in this current movie. That's why I think there's no need for us to do the

exact same thing shot in the exact same style. But, since I read the rough script first this time there

were things, including the actors I'm co-starring with, that floated to mind. That image really pulled at

my interest so I thought that I wanted to try doing my best. But when I saw Kurosawa-san's piece as you

would think I worried a little that "this might turn into a lot of trouble" ne (laughs).

I want to constrain the focal point to what kind of piece we'll create.

- Don't you feel pressure?
Matsumoto: Though I do have thoughts like 'what do the people who watched the old movie and the people who

are always involved with movies think with regards to making a Kurosawa film?', to me that doesn't really

matter much ne. Which is to say, it's not so can I escape from the kind of judgement and criticism, nor to

confirm or deny it, it's because I want to turn the focal point to what kind of piece we - (this edition's)
director Higuchi Shinji-san who's at the top of the list of the Higuchi Group, will create. The major point

being that Kurosawa-san's [Kakushi Toride~] is uneblievably respected.
- You can't just show the same things again ne.
Matsumoto: Because we can't win unless we do more than just the same things ne.
- Is that so?
Matsumoto: Yes. I don't feel like we'll win. I don't have any intention of fighting either (laughs). To the

point where I want them to change the title (laughs). That's right. After I went to see the Shinkansen play

[The plot of the Inugaoka family] recently I went to go eat dinner with (Shinkansen's head and producer)

Inoue Hidenori-san and others. Actually, a long time ago director Higuchi-san was repsonsible for filming

Shinkansen. When I told him about telling Inoue, a big movie fan, that we were doing a remake of [Kakushi

Toride~] he jokingly worried [he'll probably asy harsh things to you~] (laughs). When I conveyed that to

Inoue-san he said [Well of course!] (laughs). Therefore, I think that it's a given that people who watch it

will compare them, that doesn't bother me, but when it comes to the acting side I have no intention of

doing it while being concerned about comparisons ne. Because there's nothing I can do beyond bringing out

everything I have.

Right now I feel like I'm swaying abck and forth between pressure and excitement.

- You've performed in a lot of things, like movie and drama versions of comics, that have an original

behind them, but when you were doing [Boku wa Imouto ni Koi wo Suru] as well you determinedly said "The

assesment of those who watch it isn't everything" ne.
Matsumoto: Naturally there are a lot of things that I feel from reading the original, lots of hints that I

profit from, so I think I want to reflect that (the original) in my own way. But with originals there are

readers to begin with, and I think there are as many impressions of it and ways to read it as there are

readers, so if I tried to reflect all of that the things that are my own would disappear ne. This time it's

not a character just like in the original, so when I saw the original it was an unusual feeling. If I was

doing that role exactly in that way I'd probably feel an incredible amount of pressure, but that's not how

it is. It's not the same kind of script.

But there's also a "what will happen?" kind of pressure, so right

now I guess it feels like I'm swaying abck and forth in the interval between pressure and excitement.
- In regards to role creation, have you already been picturing it in your head?
Matsumoto: It's an extremely vague concept, but I do have one. In the movie that Kurosawa directed and

Mifune-san starred in there was an impression of swiftly occurring excitement ne. So I think that it would

be nice if it became a piece where you could feel that sensation, though fine as a "shape that we make it",

somewhere inside it. [Seven Samurai] is also one of director Kurosawa Akira and Mifune-san's works, and at

any rate Mifune-san was as stirring as always, it's amazing how his prescence is always really cool.

Therefore, rather than a sense of undertaking a Mifune-san type role I think it would be good if the whole

piece could be composed of things that make you feel that exhilaration and excitement.
- It's a Nakajima script so I don't think there's anyway it could not turn out like that, I'm looking

forward to it! On a side note, is this your first period piece?
Matsumoto: It is ne. But I like period pieces. I love things like [Abarenbou no Shogun] and [Toyama no

Kinsan], so I used to watch them a lot when I was in preschool.
- A sombre preschool student ne (laughs). For exmaple, I think there are things in period dramas like

wearing wigs, binding your hair...
Matsumoto: Takezou is one of the mountain folk, since he's not a samurai he doesn't bind his hair, and the

speech at this point, as far as the script goes, is also normal ne.
- Mountain folkmeaning?
Matsumoto: A gold digger. An image of a not so bad brigand I guess. He has a certain past, he's been living

in solitude so though he's done bad things at his base he's not that bad of a person, it appears.
- It seems like it will become a wild sort of feeling ne.
Matsumoto: It's quite wild ne. But whether it will actually go like that or not, I'm so uneasy I can't hlp

myself (laughs).
- Eh, what do you mena 'that'?
Matsumoto: I can't really say in detail, I think there's a possibility that it could change from here on,

but at this point the plan is to grow my hair out, and also the hairstyle will change to give the effect

kind of like that of a fleeing soldier.
- It's not a comical feeling like the old version?
Matsumoto: There are those kind of parts as well, but the worthless kind of feeling of the combo in the

original isn't everything ne. The way of depicting it was of the two as one unit, but the ones we're going

to be protraying aren't going to be like that. Also, gold isn't their only goal. In terms of my character's

background, he's burdened with a certain destiny or fate, since he's always been just surviving on his own

he doesn't trust other people very much, he has a personality where he doesn't open his heart up much. But,

I think the other companion will be quite a bit of comic relief so I guess we might be able to strike a

good balance there.

Every piece becomes a turning point for me.

- Next year the movie version of [Hana yori Dango] is also being released but it's almost like it's an

exact opposite piece ne. Your breadth of roles seems like it will become quite incredible.
Matsumoto: I'm not conscious of that kind of thing at all ne. They're completely different roles, they're

not being shot simultaneously, and I think I can switch between them.
- As an actor you're armed with many pieces, if you include when you were a (Johnny's) Jr. you have an over

ten year career ne.
Matsumoto: I guess it will be 11 years. But, nah, I don't think there's that kind of thing (laughs). I

think I've lived nonchalantly.
- Not at all (laughs), looking back on this 11 year career is there a piece that left a deep impression, or

a piece that let you see your direction as an actor?
Matsumoto: Every piece would be like that wouldn't it ne. Looking back now on all the pieces I'm glad that

I was able to do them. I learned a lot of things. I think they all became good points for me. Therefore, if

you were to ask [what was your turning point?] I'd answer [all of them], if you were to ask [what was the

most clear turning point?] I think I'd answer [none of them].
- When comparing to before is there anything in your acting skills that became visible, or that changed?
Matsumoto: If the roles were different the co-stars and staff were also different so my plan on what I was

thinking at the time woul also change so... What could it be...
- For example, in [Hana yori Dango] the Doumyouji Tsukasa role was given a good performance as an

arrogantly strong-willed, but kind of foolish, endearing character, but on the other hand in [Kiiroi

Namida] you transformed into a plain boy to the extent that you felt your eyes were fooling you, thinking

'this is the same actor who played Doumyouji?', depending on the piece it changes suddenly but how do you

usually create your characters?
Matsumoto: Character creation...how exactly do I do it ne (laughs)? I don't even know myself ne.

In the past on set if I couldn't operate as I'd chosen I didn't like it.

- By the way, have you ever learned anything from watching the character creation of the other Arashi

members in [Life is Hard Dakedo Happy] or [Kiiroi Namida]?
Matsumoto: No, I do it in my own way. Although there have been times when I've thought anew "so that's how

this guy returns a performance" or "this is the kind of stance he has o set", but I haven't learned

anything ne (laughs).
- (laughs)
Matsumoto: Although I've never been aware of thinking "in this piece I change this part of myself like

this", first I start by envisioning the role in it's entirety so that I can go to the set. Because the

things that each character "holds" will themselves change I think up the "backbone" in my own way. When

this person is saying these lines I think they have to come from that character and it not be me that's

saying them.

I don't have any confidence after performing

Other than that, what I'm always conscious of is wanting to act with the attitude of doing it

because I like the piece. I think that's the same for any actor, if there wasn't anything attractive in the

script I guess they probably wouldn't do it. Reading that I find what may be the wonderful parts of that

piece in my own way, interpret them in my own way, explain and understand it in my own way. Adversely, all

of the pieces that I've held this far were all good.
- That's right ne.
Matsumoto: Other than that, speaking of character creation, even if, for example, there was a character

that I couldn't sympathize with at all, I think I'd like to grasp it enough to bring it inside myself. I've

never studied at a theatre group or an acting school, I've also never studied under anyone, so I do a lot

of things based on sensations ne. There are times where I create the character while thinking "I wonder if

it's okay this way?" though... I wonder how normal actors answer at times like this ne.
- Your character creation will also change before and after you go on set ne.
Matsumoto: That's right ne. But I think on a certain level things like in this scene this is how it's being

expressed, or what I want to appeal to, it's because I comprehend my role that I go into it. Only, of

course, there's also things that you create after entering the set and knowing the sense of distance and

atmosphere of the other actors. The sensation of with what distance to relate to the other person, how to

actually move at the point of the performance, I don't decide those until I got to the set. There's also

the thoughts of the director and the staff, the kind of environment, what's in the surroundings, those kind

of conditions will become much clearer ne. For example, when you go to set there's times when the props

will increase or the set will change as well. That's why even if you solidify everything it can all

collapse, I make it so that I leave it a "blank space". In the past I used to decide what I'd do inside my

head, so there were times when if things didn't go that way on set I alone would be panicking (painful

grin).
- About when did that change?
Matsumoto: Gradually I guess... Because after all acting isn't something you do by yourself ne.
- So that means that as your experience accumulated confidence came with it ne.
Matsumoto: With that, I don't have any confidence after performing. I get the feeling that kind of

thing is arrogance. There's as many ways to act as there are people, if other actors did the role that I do

it would probably become yet a different character, if the co-stars changed the acting would change again.

I always feel like the best of that time seems it will exhaust itself. It's not something that will get

better if there was more time or you could add on more takes though ne.

Because the camera is something

that cuts out that "moment". I guess it's the same as the fact that even if you shoot the same scene 10

times it's not a given that the 10th take will be the best. The fresh, first take might be good, the 3rd

take where you've realized something might be good ne.
- I see. But what you said before about having no confidence, was that...modesty? (laughs)
Matsumoto: No, I'm telling you it's how I really feel (laughs)!
- Well, of course, confidence in the good sense is not having any blurryiness in the acting. Looking back

on the characters that Matsumoto-san has played that's what I think.
Matsumoto: Yeah, I think that I do my utmost so that there's no blurriness.
- Despite that, when doubt arises do you consult with the direction and decide on the direction?
Matsumoto: I have times like that. But I think that performing is something that you do without excuses, no

matter what conditions you're in. When I act I end up wanting to make excuses no matter what though ne

(laughs). For example, if there on monitors on the drama or movie set I'll check them and think "let me do

it one more time!". But, beginning with the staff, everyone operated with all of their energy for the sake

of that one take, so it has to be decided by that one time ne. That's why I always think that I have to

preserve my ability to concentrate.

"It's not so can I escape from the kind of judgement and criticism, nor to confirm or deny it"

"I'm always conscious of wanting to act with the attitude of doing it

because I like the piece"

"Performing is something that you do without excuses, no

matter what conditions you're in"

[Kakushi Toride no san Akunin] Nationwide release by Toei on May 10th, 2008.
Director: Higuchi Shinji; Writer: Nakajima Kazuki
Starring: Matsumoto Jun, Nagasawa Masami, Miygawa Daisuke/Abe Hiroshi, others.
Distributor: Toei

Ha~<3 Well, I was in constant peril of getting sucked into staring at these gorgeous shots (the second and third one literally made my jaw drop the first time I saw them...>_<; and I love how throughout the shoot he has less and less clothingXD) but actually I really enjoyed reading this article^^ I've always been keenly interested in his theories on acting, and you can tell when he talks about it that he gets very deeply involved in the conversation. And what he said about having no confidence after giving his performance...he hides it very well. Maybe it's because he puts everything he is into his performances, but there's very little room for doubt or hesitation in his acting and he always comes across as if he were aware of just what he needs to do. Of course, having never studied acting in a classroom or apprenticeship sense has forced him to develop his own techniques and they've served him well, although I get the feeling he would have liked to have a chance to explore the craft in that way. But what I really found striking was the last few lines, where he said that he feels he always has to be at full concentration to avoid putting to waste all the efforts of those around him...that was the real Jun I think. He comes across as arrogant or aloof quite a lot, whether he intends to or not, but we've all heard or seen how he is actually a really considerate, caring person, and I feel like that really comes out in that one line:3 This is probably why he said that in his private work he's always much more tense then with the other members, and changing gears is tough; on set he pushes himself so hard that it must seem annoying sometimes when the others just goof off around him, but I'm glad that he's starting to appreciate the balance^^
On a side note, I watched the original this week, and I highly highly recommend it>_< Within the first 5 minutes I was captivated (despite the really difficult dialect, which I still can't say I get 100%:S), and I fully agree with Jun about the feeling of exhilaration and excitement that is evoked throughoutX3 It's a fabulous movie, I won't go into the plot to avoid spoiling it, but if Jun's horseback scene is half as impressive...well, let's just say I can't wait to see what they do with it, now that I know what it's based on^^ I really hope Masami doesn't copy the princess' role too closely though...she was a little weird^^;

Oh, one little thing, I was listening to some of Jun's older radio shows and he wsaid that when they were taping Shukudai-kun one day Ogura suddenly came into his dressing room and gave hima watch from the Showa 40 era!X3 Apparently Ogura collects old watches, and at one point Jun and he got into a huge discussion about them, and now Ogura gave him one for his birthday, that's so sweet:3

<3<3<3